How much does Land Clearing cost in Mobile?
Land clearing in Mobile runs $1,500 to $6,200 per acre, with most jobs falling between $2,000 and $6,000. Lightly wooded land starts around $1,500, while dense forest can hit $6,200 or more. Steep slopes, stumps, and permits add extra costs.
The price swings wildly because no two acres are the same. A flat lot with young pines might cost $1,800 to clear, while a ravine full of oaks and sweetgums could push past $6,000. Most Mobile properties fall somewhere in the middle.
We see a lot of half-acre to two-acre jobs around Theodore and Midtown where folks are prepping for a house or pool. Those usually land between $3,000 and $9,000 total. Bigger plots out near Wilmer or Eight Mile often run higher per acre because the growth gets thicker the farther you get from town.
Don't let the low end fool you. That $1,500 figure assumes easy access, no stumps, and saplings under 3 inches thick. Once you're dealing with mature trees or wetland plants like cattails, prices jump fast. A single 24-inch oak stump can add $300 just to grind it out.
Permits aren't usually a headache in Mobile County unless you're near water. The main surprises come from buried junk cars, old foundations, or unexpected rock ledges. We hit a concrete septic tank last year near Dog River that wasn't on any survey.
What affects Land Clearing pricing?
Three things control the price: how thick the growth is, how rough the land is, and what you want done with the debris. Trees, slopes, and stump removal make the biggest difference.
Vegetation type changes everything. A field of broom straw takes a day with a bush hog. A tangle of wisteria vines and water oaks needs a tracked mulcher and possibly a grapple truck. That's why heavily wooded land costs $3,400 to $6,200 per acre while light brush might only run $1,500.
Slopes over 30 degrees force crews to work slower. Steep terrain near Mobile Bay or along creeks adds 25% to 40% to the bill. We bring in low-center bulldozers for hillsides, which burn more fuel and time than flat-land equipment.
Stumps aren't included in basic clearing. Grinding adds $100 to $400 per stump depending on size. Some folks near Satsuma try to burn stumps to save money, but the clay soil here holds moisture so long it takes years for them to rot.
What happens to the debris matters. Burning's cheapest if the county allows it that week. Hauling to the Chastang Landfill runs about $120 per truckload. Mulching on-site saves dump fees but needs more machine time upfront.
- Light brush: $1,500, $3,500/acre
- Heavy trees: $3,400, $6,200/acre
- Slopes add 25, 40%
- Stump grinding: $100, $400 each
- Debris hauling: ~$120/truckload
Land Clearing cost by home size
Most residential lots in Mobile are under 2 acres. Here's what clearing typically costs for common property sizes around the city.
These numbers assume average conditions, no major slopes or wetlands. A quarter-acre lot in West Mobile with some pines and sweetgums usually falls around $1,200. The same size near Dog River with palmettos and water oaks might hit $2,800.
Bigger properties get slight breaks per acre. Clearing five acres of pines often lands at $4,500 per acre instead of $5,000 because we can keep equipment running efficiently. But that only holds for uniform land. A mix of swamp and hills cancels the discount.
Watch for minimum charges. Some contractors bill $1,200 even for tiny jobs because mobilizing equipment costs the same whether it's a 0.1-acre patch or a full acre. Always ask if there's a trip fee or hourly minimum.
| Lot Size | Total Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 0.25 acre | $375, $1,550 |
| 0.5 acre | $750, $3,100 |
| 1 acre | $1,500, $6,200 |
| 2 acres | $3,000, $12,400 |
Is it cheaper to do it yourself?
Only if your time is free and you already own heavy equipment. Renting a bulldozer and grapple truck costs $1,800 a week before fuel or dump fees. Most DIYers end up calling pros after burning through a weekend and $1,000.
A Kubota skid-steer with a mulching head rents for $400 a day at Sunbelt in Mobile. That sounds affordable until you realize it takes three days to clear an acre of thicket. By day two, most folks wish they'd hired someone with a 100-hp dedicated mulcher that does the job in four hours.
Disposal is the hidden cost. That pile of oaks and vines won't fit in your F-150. The county burn ban runs from May to October most years, and the landfill charges by weight. We see DIYers spend $600 on dump fees alone for a half-acre job.
Safety's the real kicker. One guy over near Tillman's Corner tried felling a pine with a chainsaw last year. It barber-chaired and took out his fence. The ER bill was $8,000; our crew would've dropped it safely for $150.
The sweet spot is splitting the work. Some homeowners clear small trees themselves, then hire us for the big stuff. Just mark which trees to save, we've taken out one too many prized magnolias because they weren't flagged.
Common questions about Land Clearing cost
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