Land Clearing in Ballston Spa, NY

Your Property, Cleared and Ready

Professional land clearing that gets your project moving—no surprises, no delays, just results.

A yellow excavator is parked on grass near a pile of branches, with another excavator visible in the background and leafless trees under a clear blue sky.
A yellow backhoe loader is parked on a cleared, dirt-covered construction site with stacks of rolled sod in the foreground and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Professional Site Preparation Services

From Overgrown to Build-Ready

You’ve got plans for your property. Whether you’re building a home, expanding your business, or developing land, you need that space cleared properly and efficiently.

When the job’s done right, you’re looking at clean, level ground that’s ready for the next phase. No stumps sticking up where they shouldn’t. No drainage issues that’ll cause headaches later. No debris left behind that you’ll have to deal with yourself.

Your project moves forward on schedule. Your contractors can start their work without delays or complications. And you can focus on the bigger picture instead of worrying about whether the groundwork was handled correctly.

Ballston Spa Excavation Experts

We Know This Ground

Emerson Excavating and Trucking has been clearing land in Ballston Spa and throughout Saratoga County for years. We understand the soil conditions here, the local regulations, and what it takes to prepare sites properly in this area.

Our equipment handles everything from small residential lots to large commercial developments. We’re not the biggest operation around, but we’re thorough, reliable, and we show up when we say we will.

You’ll work directly with people who know the business and care about getting your project off to the right start.

A yellow excavator lifts dirt on a grassy lot near a row of light-colored houses, preparing land for construction on a clear day.

Land Clearing Process

Here's How We Clear Your Land

First, we walk your property with you to understand exactly what needs to be cleared and what you want to keep. We’ll point out any potential issues and discuss the best approach for your specific site.

Next, we bring in the right equipment for your job. Trees and brush get removed efficiently, and we handle all the debris—either chipping it for mulch, hauling it away, or burning it if that’s what makes sense for your situation.

Finally, we grade and prepare the site according to your specifications. Whether you need rough grading for construction access or finish grading ready for building, we make sure the ground is properly prepared and drainage is handled correctly.

A yellow excavator is digging and moving earth on a construction site, with soil and dirt piled around. Trees and clear sky are visible in the background.

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Complete Clearing Services

What's Included in Our Service

Our land clearing covers everything from selective tree removal to complete site preparation. We handle brush clearing, stump removal, grading, and debris disposal as part of the job.

In Ballston Spa, we often work with properties that have mature trees worth saving alongside areas that need complete clearing. We can work around existing features you want to preserve while efficiently clearing the areas designated for development.

We also understand the local requirements for erosion control and proper drainage, especially important given our area’s soil conditions and seasonal weather patterns. Your cleared land won’t just look ready—it’ll be properly prepared for whatever comes next.

Two construction workers survey a sandy construction site with a yellow excavator digging in the background under a clear blue sky. Tire tracks and piles of dirt are visible on the ground.

How much does land clearing cost per acre in Ballston Spa?

Land clearing costs vary significantly based on what’s growing on your property and how much prep work is needed afterward. Light brush and small trees cost less to clear than mature hardwoods or heavily wooded areas. The terrain matters too—flat, accessible land is more straightforward than steep or wet areas. We provide detailed estimates after seeing your specific property because every job is different. Generally, you’re looking at anywhere from a few thousand to several thousand per acre, but the only way to know for sure is to have us take a look and give you a real number based on your actual conditions.
It depends on the size of your project and local regulations. For most residential lots, you typically don’t need special permits just for clearing trees and brush on your own property. However, if you’re near wetlands, clearing more than a certain acreage, or doing commercial development, permits may be required. We’re familiar with local requirements and can help you figure out what applies to your situation. If permits are needed, we can guide you through the process or work with you to make sure everything’s handled properly before we start the work.
Most residential lots take anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on how much needs to be cleared and what the final grading requirements are. Larger properties or heavily wooded areas take longer. Weather can affect the timeline too—we can’t do much during heavy rain or when the ground is too soft. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe when we estimate your job, and we stick to it. If your builder has a specific schedule they need to meet, let us know upfront so we can plan accordingly and keep your project moving.
We handle debris removal as part of the job, but the method depends on what makes sense for your property and local regulations. Sometimes we chip brush and smaller material into mulch that you can use on your property. Larger logs might be cut for firewood if you want them, or hauled away if you don’t. In some cases, controlled burning is the most efficient option, though that depends on conditions and local burn regulations. We discuss all this with you beforehand so you know exactly what’s happening with the material we clear from your land.
Absolutely. Selective clearing is a big part of what we do, especially around Ballston Spa where many properties have mature trees worth preserving. We’re careful about protecting root systems and avoiding damage from equipment. Before we start, we’ll walk the property with you to mark exactly what stays and what goes. Our operators know how to work around the trees you want to keep, and we use equipment appropriate for the job. The key is good communication upfront about your priorities and taking the time to do the work properly rather than just bulldozing everything.
Yes, site preparation and grading are part of our services. After clearing, we can provide rough grading to establish proper drainage and access, or finish grading if you’re ready for construction to begin. We understand how important proper grading is—it affects everything from drainage to foundation work later. Our equipment can handle both the clearing and the grading work, so you don’t need to coordinate with multiple contractors. We’ll discuss your grading needs during the initial consultation and include that in our overall estimate for the project.