Your project moves forward on schedule. Your other contractors can work without fighting poor site conditions. You avoid the expensive do-overs that happen when land clearing gets rushed or done by someone who doesn’t understand what comes next.
The difference between good land clearing and everything else shows up months later. Good clearing means your driveway doesn’t wash out, your foundation doesn’t settle, and your project stays on budget. Poor clearing creates problems that cost thousands to fix after the fact.
You get a clean, properly graded site that’s ready for construction. Your drainage works the way it should. Your investment is protected from day one.
We’ve been handling land clearing projects throughout Salem and Washington County since starting as a logging business in 1997. Josh transitioned the company to full-time excavation in late 2020, with his son joining as a partner in 2022.
You’re not getting a crew that learned their trade somewhere else and hopes it works here. You’re getting operators who know how Salem’s clay soil behaves when it’s wet, where the ledge typically sits, and how to grade for proper drainage in this climate.
Josh is present on almost every job to ensure quality work. This isn’t about being the cheapest option – it’s about being your excavator forever by providing exceptional care and value that builds lasting relationships.
Proper drainage starts with understanding how water moves across your property naturally, then working with those patterns instead of against them. We walk your property first to identify the natural flow and plan accordingly.
Next comes the actual clearing – removing trees, brush, and stumps using equipment sized right for your property. We’re not bringing a massive bulldozer to clear a small residential lot, and we’re not trying to clear five acres with equipment that’s too small for the job.
The final step is grading and site preparation. This is where experience really matters. Proper drainage, the right slope for your planned construction, and soil conditions that won’t cause problems later. We finish with complete debris removal and disposal, leaving you with a clean site ready for the next phase of your project.
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You get complete tree and brush removal, including stump grinding that actually removes the entire stump system. Half-done stump removal causes foundation and landscaping problems later. We handle it right the first time.
Grading services include proper drainage planning. Salem’s terrain and weather patterns mean drainage can’t be an afterthought. We understand the rocky soil conditions, seasonal drainage patterns, and terrain challenges that make each Washington County property different.
Most residential lots in Salem take 1-3 days depending on size, terrain, and clearing needs. A typical house lot with moderate tree cover usually takes about 2 days – one day for clearing and removal, another day for grading and final cleanup. We’ll give you a realistic timeline after seeing your specific property, because every lot is different.
Most residential lots in Salem take 1-3 days depending on the size, terrain, and how much clearing is needed. A typical house lot with moderate tree cover usually takes about 2 days – one day for clearing and removal, another day for grading and final cleanup.
Heavily wooded lots or properties with challenging terrain take longer. Properties with just brush clearing might be done in a single day. We’ll give you a realistic timeline after seeing your specific property, because every lot in Salem is different and presents unique challenges.
Land clearing removes trees, brush, and surface obstacles to prepare your property for construction. Excavation involves digging – foundations, septic systems, driveways, and moving earth around your property.
Most construction projects need both services, but they happen at different stages. We handle both, which means better coordination and fewer contractors to manage. Land clearing typically happens first to give excavation crews room to work, but some projects need both services integrated throughout the construction process.
This coordination saves you time and prevents communication problems between different contractors who don’t understand each other’s work.
Most residential lot clearing doesn’t require special permits, but larger commercial projects often do. Salem and Washington County have specific regulations about tree removal, wetlands, and erosion control that we’re familiar with.
We help you understand what permits might be needed for your specific project, but permit applications are typically handled by the property owner or your general contractor. We can tell you if your project might trigger permit requirements and work with your contractor to ensure our clearing methods meet local environmental standards.
We know the local regulations and can guide you through what’s required for your specific situation.
Proper drainage starts with understanding how water moves across your property naturally, then working with those patterns instead of against them. Salem’s terrain and weather patterns mean drainage planning can’t be an afterthought.
We understand how Salem’s clay soil behaves when it’s wet, where the ledge typically sits, and how to grade for proper drainage in this climate. This local knowledge prevents the washout and settling problems that happen when contractors don’t understand the area’s specific challenges.
Our grading includes proper slope planning for your intended construction and soil conditions that won’t cause expensive problems later. Getting drainage right during clearing saves thousands in repairs down the road.
Complete stump removal prevents foundation and landscaping problems later. Half-done stump removal causes settling issues, drainage problems, and complications when you’re ready to build or landscape.
We provide stump grinding that actually removes the entire stump system, not just the visible portion. Leftover roots and stump material decompose over time, creating voids that cause settling. This can affect your foundation, driveway, or landscaping years after the clearing is done.
Getting stump removal right the first time costs less than fixing foundation or drainage problems later. It’s one of those details that separate professional land clearing from cutting corners.
Salem’s rocky soil conditions, clay content, and seasonal drainage patterns create unique challenges that require local expertise. The clay soil behaves differently when wet, affecting equipment access and grading results.
Understanding where the ledge typically sits and how to work with Salem’s terrain prevents equipment damage and ensures proper grading. Contractors who learned their trade elsewhere often struggle with these specific conditions, leading to delays and additional costs.
Our experience with Washington County properties means we know what to expect and how to handle Salem’s specific soil and drainage challenges. This local knowledge keeps your project on schedule and prevents the problems that come from working against the terrain instead of with it.
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