Site preparation and excavation costs are two line items that should never be missing from your budget. Both have the ability to make you go over budget without realizing it. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a construction project and realizing that you’re as much as a few thousand dollars short. This could mean that you cannot complete the project as you promised and the changes that you need to make might not meet your standards.
Excavation before Construction
The first thing that needs to be done on a building site is removing any trees and vegetation that will be in the way of the construction. The cost for clearing these items varies depending on the acreage or square footage of the site as well as the amount of vegetation, the type of machinery that is required, and the amount of people who are needed for the job.
An acre that is flat or slightly sloped will cost between $200 and $2,000, but an acre that is quite hilly and covered in heavy vegetation will cost between $3,000 and $6,000. For square footage, a flat area will be between three and six dollars per square foot, and an area with hills or heavy vegetation will be fifteen dollars or more per square foot. These prices will increase for the areas that are sloped and full of hills, since grading for proper water runoff will need to be done.
Most of the time, the removal of trees will be included in the above prices, but that is not always the case. You will want to ask specific questions before you sign any contracts or have the work done. If the removal of the trees is not included, you could be looking at additional charges that range from $200 for a small tree and $1,500 for larger trees. Stumps are another category altogether and they can cost approximately $65 each to remove.
Labor and Equipment
Labor and equipment are the other two items that are usually included in the price, but some contractors add them in separately. Those costs can add up quickly, so again, ask specific questions before having the work started.
Land Development Permits
There are two additional costs that you will want to keep in mind as you are figuring out your budget in these areas. Some towns, cities, counties, or states require permits before any land can be cleared and these permits can cost one hundred or two hundred dollars. The location of your property is another factor that add to the costs of the project. A location that is in a remote area may mean that you will be charged an additional fee for travel by the contractor.
Prepare before the Project Begins
As long as you are prepared, and add the costs of site preparation and excavation to your budget, you should not have any worries about going over budget. It is always better to plan to spend more on every line item and under spend than to forget about an item altogether and run out of money before the project is completed.
Our project managers will do an entire cost analysis of the project. We will perform a value engineering review to ensure that the best value is being sought every step of the way. We can help you streamline your next big construction project in central Florida. Call us at 407-316-8544 to discuss your upcoming construction project or to discuss hiring us to manage the project for you.