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Pricing Guide

How Much Does It Cost to Clear 1/2 Acre in Texas?

Get accurate pricing for your half-acre clearing project. Real Texas costs, detailed breakdowns, and tips to get the best value.

Updated: January 2026•8 min read•8,100 monthly searches

Quick Answer

Clearing half an acre in Texas costs $750 - $4,000+ depending on vegetation type:

$750-$1,500
Light Brush
$1,250-$2,500
Medium Vegetation
$2,500-$4,000+
Heavy Woods
Get your exact estimate with our calculator →

Why Half-Acre Lots Have Different Pricing

If you've researched land clearing costs, you've probably seen per-acre rates like "$1,500-$3,000 per acre." So why doesn't half an acre simply cost half of that?

The Minimum Charge Factor

Land clearing companies have fixed costs for every job, regardless of size:

  • 1
    Equipment transport: Loading, hauling, and unloading a mulcher or skid steer costs $300-$600 whether clearing half an acre or five acres.
  • 2
    Setup time: Site assessment, equipment preparation, and safety checks take 1-2 hours regardless of project size.
  • 3
    Travel time: Drive time to your property is the same whether the job takes 2 hours or 8 hours.

Result: Most companies have minimum charges of $800-$1,500. Your half-acre will cost at least this amount, even if the per-acre rate would calculate lower.

Detailed Pricing by Vegetation Type

The single biggest factor in your half-acre clearing cost is what's growing on it. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you can expect to pay:

Light Brush Clearing

Grass, weeds, small saplings under 2" diameter

$750 - $1,500
for 1/2 acre

What's Included:

  • • Tall grass and weed removal
  • • Small brush under 2" diameter
  • • Saplings and volunteer trees
  • • Mulch spread evenly

Typical Timeline:

  • • Clearing time: 2-3 hours
  • • Often same-day completion
  • • Ready for use immediately
Example: Overgrown backyard, vacant lot with grass/weeds, previously cleared land with regrowth

Medium Vegetation Clearing

Mixed brush, small trees 2-6" diameter, understory

$1,250 - $2,500
for 1/2 acre

What's Included:

  • • Trees up to 6" diameter
  • • Dense brush and thickets
  • • Stump grinding (2-4" below grade)
  • • Vines and invasive species

Typical Timeline:

  • • Clearing time: 3-5 hours
  • • Usually same-day completion
  • • Thicker mulch layer remains
Example: Building lot with mixed vegetation, 5-10 year growth, cedar/privet thickets

Heavy Woods/Dense Brush

Mature trees 6-12"+ diameter, thick understory

$2,500 - $4,000+
for 1/2 acre

What's Included:

  • • Trees up to 10-12" diameter
  • • Dense hardwood/cedar stands
  • • Complete stump treatment
  • • May require chainsaw assist

Typical Timeline:

  • • Clearing time: 5-8+ hours
  • • May require full day
  • • Significant mulch layer
Example: Undeveloped wooded lot, 15+ year growth, mature oak/cedar forest

Real Half-Acre Clearing Examples in Texas

Here are actual half-acre clearing scenarios from the DFW area to give you realistic expectations:

Backyard Expansion - Plano

0.4 acre residential backyard

$1,100

Vegetation: Overgrown privet, small cedars (2-4"), tall grass

Method: Skid steer mulcher

Time: 3 hours | Result: Ready for lawn installation

New Home Site - Weatherford

0.5 acre building lot

$2,200

Vegetation: Mixed oak/cedar, dense understory, trees to 8"

Method: Track mulcher with chainsaw assist on 3 large oaks

Time: 5 hours | Result: Grading started same week

Fire Break - Granbury

0.5 acre around rural home

$1,800

Vegetation: Cedar thicket with dead brush, fire hazard

Method: Forestry mulcher, selective clearing around home

Time: 4 hours | Result: Defensible space created

Vacant Lot Cleanup - McKinney

0.35 acre urban lot

$950

Vegetation: Volunteer trees, brush, abandoned landscaping

Method: Skid steer mulcher

Time: 2.5 hours | Result: Property ready to list

Additional Services & Costs

The base clearing price gets you a cleared lot. Depending on your plans, you may need additional services:

ServiceDescriptionAdd'l Cost (1/2 acre)
Deep Stump RemovalGrind stumps 8-12" below grade$200 - $500
Rough GradingLevel the site for construction$300 - $800
Debris HaulingRemove material instead of mulching$400 - $1,200
Tree PreservationCareful work around saved trees$100 - $300
Erosion ControlSilt fence, additional mulch$150 - $400

How to Save Money on Half-Acre Clearing

1

Choose Forestry Mulching

Save 20-40% by keeping mulch on-site instead of hauling. Most half-acre lots are perfect candidates for this method.

2

Clear Access Before Arrival

Remove fencing, mark utilities, and clear a path for equipment. Less setup time = lower cost.

3

Get Multiple Quotes

Prices vary significantly between contractors. Get at least 3 quotes, but don't automatically choose the cheapest—check reviews and insurance.

4

Bundle with Neighbors

If neighbors also need clearing, combine projects. Shared mobilization costs can save 10-15% for everyone.

5

Be Flexible on Timing

Contractors may offer better rates for scheduling flexibility. Ask about "filler" jobs between larger projects.

6

Skip Unnecessary Add-Ons

Standard stump grinding is usually sufficient. Deep grinding and debris hauling are only needed for specific purposes.

Get Your Exact Half-Acre Clearing Cost

Every property is different. Get a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific half-acre lot in Texas.

Get Free QuoteTry Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearing half an acre in Texas typically costs $750-$4,000+ depending on vegetation density and clearing method. Light brush (grass, weeds, small saplings) runs $750-$1,500. Medium vegetation (mixed brush, small trees) costs $1,250-$2,500. Heavy brush or woods with mature trees costs $2,500-$4,000+. Forestry mulching is usually the most cost-effective method for half-acre lots.
Yes, most Texas land clearing companies have minimum charges of $800-$1,500 to cover equipment mobilization costs. Even if your half-acre would technically cost less based on per-acre rates, you'll likely pay at least the minimum. This is why per-acre rates for small lots are effectively higher than for larger properties.
While legally possible, DIY clearing rarely saves money and often costs more. Equipment rental (skid steer, brush hog, chainsaws) can cost $500-$1,000/day. Add disposal fees, your time, safety risks, and potential property damage, and professional clearing is usually the smarter choice. Professionals also complete the job in hours, not days.
Yes, lot shape impacts cost. Long, narrow lots or irregularly shaped properties require more maneuvering and edge work than square lots. A half-acre square lot (approximately 147' x 147') clears faster than a half-acre strip that's 50' x 435'. Expect 10-20% higher costs for difficult configurations.
A standard quote typically includes: vegetation cutting/mulching, basic stump treatment (ground to 2-4 inches below grade), and cleanup. Additional services that may cost extra include: deep stump removal (below 6 inches), selective tree preservation, grading, hauling (if not using mulching method), and erosion control measures.
With professional equipment, clearing half an acre typically takes 2-6 hours depending on vegetation density. Light brush can be cleared in 2-3 hours. Medium vegetation takes 3-5 hours. Heavy woods may take 5-8 hours including stump grinding. Add equipment transport time (usually included in pricing).
Forestry mulching is almost always better for half-acre lots. It's faster (often completed same-day), cheaper (no hauling costs), and leaves beneficial mulch that prevents erosion. Traditional clearing only makes sense if you need all debris removed or have regulations against leaving mulch on-site.
Late fall through early spring (November-March) often offers better pricing due to lower demand. Summer is typically busiest, and contractors may charge premium rates or have longer wait times. However, the price difference is usually 5-10%—timeline and vegetation condition matter more than seasonal pricing.

Ready to Clear Your Half Acre?

Bear Claw provides fast, affordable land clearing throughout Texas. Get a free quote for your half-acre project today.

Get a Free QuoteCall (817) 435-4748

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