Nanaimo Land Clearing Pros

Services & Capabilities

What land clearing services do you offer in Nanaimo?

Full-service land clearing across Nanaimo and mid-Vancouver Island: brush and tree removal, lot grubbing, stump handling, forestry mulching, light excavation, rough grading, and site prep.

Do you offer lot grubbing and root removal?

Yes. We remove stumps, roots, and the organic layer to deliver a clean, build-ready surface.

Can you handle both small city lots and larger acreages?

Absolutely. We right-size equipment and crew for tight infill lots or multi-acre rural properties.

Do you provide excavation and rough grading?

Yes—driveway subgrades, drainage swales, utility trenches, and rough grading to plan.

Who do you serve—homeowners or builders?

Homeowners, custom home builders, general contractors, and developers.

Pricing & Estimates

How do you price a land clearing project?

By scope and site conditions: vegetation density, tree size, stumps/roots, terrain, access, disposal method, trucking, and dump fees. You receive a written, fixed-scope quote.

Can I get a ballpark cost per acre or per lot?

Yes. We give a phone range from your description and confirm firm pricing after a site visit.

Are on-site estimates free?

Yes—free, no-pressure site assessments in Nanaimo and nearby communities.

What factors increase price?

Steep slopes, large stumps, rock, limited access, environmental controls, and long haul-outs.

What’s included in your quote?

Scope, inclusions/exclusions, timeline, payment schedule, and any allowances for unknowns.

Permits & Regulations

Do I need a permit to clear my lot in Nanaimo or the RDN?

Sometimes. It depends on location, tree size/species, riparian buffers, and slopes. We flag likely triggers so you can confirm requirements.

Who applies for permits?

The owner. We assist with photos, site notes, and referrals to arborists or planners.

Are there rules near creeks, wetlands, or steep slopes?

Yes. Expect setbacks and conditions. We plan work to respect buffers and approvals.

What about bird nesting windows?

Vegetation removal may be restricted in nesting season. We schedule accordingly or arrange a qualified pre-clearing nest check.

How do you ensure compliance?

We follow permits, install required protection, keep a daily log, and pause if conditions change.

Process & Timelines

What is your typical clearing process?

1. Site walk and utility locates; 2) Access protection; 3) Selective felling/brush removal; 4) Stump/root grubbing; 5) Rough grade; 6) Disposal/mulching; 7) Final walk-through.

How long does a residential job take?

Most city lots: 1–3 days. Heavily wooded or sloped sites: 3–7+ days.

How soon can you start after approval?

Usually 1–3 weeks, subject to permits and bookings. We hold a start date once paperwork is set.

Can you fast-track urgent projects?

Yes—if permitting allows, we prioritize with a focused crew and extended hours.

What happens if you find buried debris or rock?

We document, present options (haul-out, screening, rock hammering), and proceed only with your written approval.

Site Conditions & Preparation

Do I need to mark property lines?

Yes. Please expose survey pins or provide a recent survey. We work within your boundaries.

How should I prepare the site?

Clear vehicles, unlock gates, contain pets, and flag fragile features like septic lids or irrigation.

Can you work on tight access or steep terrain?

Yes. We use compact track loaders, winch-assist, and staged access to work safely.

Who arranges utility locates?

We request BC 1 Call locates. Owners should identify private lines (to sheds, wells, pools).

Can you protect lawns, driveways, and sidewalks?

We use ground protection mats and plywood, and clean paved areas after work.

Equipment & Methods

What equipment do you use?

Excavators with thumbs, forestry mulchers, brush cutters, mini-excavators, skid steers/CTLs, and dump trucks—sized to your site.

What’s forestry mulching vs traditional clearing?

Mulching shreds vegetation in place, leaving a mulch layer and reducing trucking. Traditional clearing fells and hauls material off-site.

Will heavy equipment compact my soil?

We mitigate compaction with tracked machines, mats, and sequencing; we can rip/loosen during rough grade.

Can you selectively clear and keep certain trees?

Yes. We mark “save” trees together, install protection fencing, and avoid critical root zones.

Do you extract or grind stumps?

Both. We can extract and remove stumps or grind them below grade to speed backfilling.

Safety, Insurance & Liability

How do you manage site safety?

Daily tailgate meetings, hazard IDs, PPE, signage, equipment checks, and controlled work zones.

Are you insured and covered for workplace safety?

Yes. We maintain current insurance and safety coverage; documents are available on request.

How do you protect neighbouring properties?

Offsets, spotters, barriers, controlled fall zones, and neighbour coordination near shared lines.

What if a utility is mis-marked?

We dig cautiously in locate zones, hand dig or hydro-vac if needed, and stop to notify the utility if discrepancies arise.

Who is responsible for approvals?

Owners hold approvals; we document work within those approvals and provide photo records.

Environmental & Erosion Control

Do you install erosion and sediment controls?

Yes—silt fence, straw wattles, check dams, and stabilized construction entrances as needed.

Can you set up tree protection zones?

Yes. We install fencing/signage and adjust access paths to preserve root zones.

How do you handle invasive species like broom or blackberry?

We uproot or mulch invasives and dispose per local guidelines. Follow-up maintenance reduces regrowth.

Do you leave mulch on site?

On request we spread mulch to suppress weeds, stabilize soils, and reduce erosion—especially on slopes.

Can you seed or hydroseed after clearing?

Yes. We can rough grade and seed/hydroseed or refer a landscaper for final planting.

Debris Handling & Recycling

What happens to logs, brush, and stumps?

Options include on-site mulching, chipping, bucking to firewood, or off-site disposal at licensed facilities.

Do you recycle wood waste?

Where feasible, we divert green waste into mulch or biomass streams and can provide disposal tickets.

Can I keep firewood or mulch?

Yes. Tell us what to keep and where to stack it. We can buck logs to firewood lengths.

Are trucking and dump fees included?

Your quote specifies all trucking and disposal fees for full cost transparency.

How clean is the site at completion?

We finish to the agreed standard—construction-ready rough grade or landscaping-ready surface with debris removed.

Access, Weather & Seasonality

Do you work year-round in Nanaimo?

Yes, weather-permitting. Winter can be ideal if soils are protected and erosion controls are in place.

How does rain or snow affect scheduling?

Heavy rain/snow may pause hauling or grading. We communicate early and adjust tasks to stay productive.

Can you protect muddy entrances and roads?

We use tracking pads, mats, and street sweeping as needed to control mud and track-out.

What are your working hours and noise limits?

We work within municipal bylaws and can provide neighbour notices for courtesy.

Do you service areas outside Nanaimo?

Yes—Lantzville, Cedar, Ladysmith, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach. Travel/mobilization is noted in your quote.

Residential, Commercial & New Builds

Do you handle subdivision or multi-lot prep?

Yes. We coordinate phasing, haul routes, staging, and erosion controls to align with civil plans.

Can you clear for custom homes and additions?

Absolutely. We tailor clearing to architectural footprints, setbacks, and septic/well locations.

Do you coordinate with surveyors and engineers?

Yes. We work from surveys and engineering plans and schedule inspections as required.

Can you prepare temporary construction access?

Yes—entrance stabilization and access grading to keep sites workable in wet months.

Do you offer hourly equipment with operator?

For small tasks or change orders, hourly machine-and-operator rates are available with clear minimums.

Scheduling & Project Management

How do you schedule projects?

After approvals, we assign a start window, confirm crew/equipment, and send a day-before arrival notice.

Who is my point of contact?

A dedicated project lead provides daily updates, photos, and any decisions needed for the next day.

Do you provide daily progress photos?

Yes—brief end-of-day summaries with photos keep everyone aligned.

How do you handle change orders?

We pause, explain options and pricing, and proceed only after you approve in writing.

Can I be on site during work?

Yes, in designated safe zones. Your site lead will outline viewing areas and communication protocols.

Utilities & Underground Risks

Will you locate underground utilities?

We request utility locates and review marks before digging. Owners should identify private services.

How do you protect septic fields and wells?

We fence off sensitive areas, restrict heavy machines, and plan alternate access if needed.

What if you encounter contamination or buried waste?

We stop, document conditions, and recommend testing/abatement before resuming under a revised scope.

Can you trench for utilities after clearing?

Yes—light trenching with bedding/backfill and warning tape, coordinated with your trades.

Do you offer hydro-vac or hand digging?

Yes, for high-risk zones or where utilities are shallow or uncertain.

Aftercare & Maintenance

Can you prep for foundations, driveways, or patios?

We rough grade, over-excavate soft spots, and prep sub-bases to spec. Final prep is coordinated with your builder.

Do you provide drainage improvements?

Yes—swales, minor re-sloping, and basic measures to move surface water away from structures.

Do you offer replanting or landscaping?

We can seed/hydroseed and refer trusted landscapers and arborists for planting plans.

How do I prevent brush from growing back?

Maintain mulch cover, mow early regrowth, and seed exposed soils. A follow-up pass can be scheduled.

Do you warranty your work?

Yes—if something isn’t as scoped, contact us promptly and we’ll make it right within the agreed terms.

Payments & Admin

What payment methods do you accept?

E-transfer, cheque, and major credit cards. Progress draws may apply on larger jobs.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes. A small deposit secures your start date and mobilization, with balances tied to milestones.

Can I get copies of insurance and safety letters?

Yes. We provide current certificates during estimating or prior to mobilization.

Do you provide invoices with disposal tickets?

On request we attach transfer station receipts and disposal summaries.

Can you coordinate with my builder or property manager?

Yes. We align schedules, site rules, and documentation to your project requirements.