Lot clearing and site prep for new homes, additions and commercial projects, planned around Bedford's stream and wetland buffers.
We clear land in Bedford for homeowners adding a garage, pool or addition, builders preparing new house lots, and commercial owners getting a site ready for construction. Our track loaders, mini excavator, grapple and stump grinders take a site from standing trees to cleared ground, and our trucks and trailers haul off what can't stay.
Call (603) 438-6492 or use Get a Quote with the address and your plot plan if you have one. We are based in neighboring Goffstown. More on our land clearing page.
On many Bedford lots, the clearable area is set by town buffers before a single tree is cut. These are the conditions we look at first.
Lots along Baboosic, Riddle, Bowman, Sebbins and the other named brooks have a 50-foot non-disturbance buffer. If a Conditional Use Permit is granted for work in the buffer, the town requires restoration where the buffer is missing, so lot layouts should keep clearing outside it.
Ponds, beaver ponds and bogs fall under Bedford's Wetlands Conservation Ordinance, and work in wetlands also needs a state permit. Wet corners of a lot are common reasons a house or driveway has to shift.
Bedford's population grew about 10 percent from 2010 to 2020, and that growth means wooded lots being cleared for new homes. Builders usually need the stumps out under the foundation, driveway and septic area and the rest ground in place.
Land within 250 feet of the Merrimack is protected shoreland. Part of the 50 to 150 foot woodland buffer must stay natural, and the state terrain permit threshold drops to 50,000 square feet for projects that touch it.
Around Holbrook Hill and Pulpit Rock the ground is higher and steeper. Cleared slopes erode quickly, so we stage work to keep roots in the ground outside the build area until it is ready to stabilize.
Town stream buffer. Bedford's Stream Protection Ordinance keeps a 50-foot non-disturbance buffer along ten named brooks, and extra activities there need a Planning Board Conditional Use Permit that comes with restoration requirements (Town of Bedford (opens in a new tab)).
Alteration of Terrain. NHDES requires a permit when a project disturbs more than 100,000 square feet, or 50,000 square feet if any disturbance is in protected shoreland, or when it disturbs a 25 percent or steeper slope within 50 feet of surface water (NHDES (opens in a new tab); RSA 485-A:17 (opens in a new tab)).
Wetlands. Excavating, removing or filling in a bank, marsh, swamp or surface water requires a state wetlands permit (RSA 482-A:3 (opens in a new tab)), in addition to Bedford's local wetland rules.
Intent to Cut. Before a timber cutting operation, the owner files a Notice of Intent to Cut with the town's assessing officials (RSA 79:10 (opens in a new tab)).
Scenic roads. If your frontage is on a designated scenic road, cutting trees of 15 inches or more in circumference within the road, or removing stone walls, needs the Planning Board's written consent (RSA 231:158 (opens in a new tab)).
This is general guidance, not legal advice. We help you spot when a permit question exists so you can confirm it with the town or NHDES before work starts.
Sources: Town of Bedford: Stream Protection Ordinance fact sheet; NHDES: Alteration of Terrain permitting; NH RSA 485-A:17, terrain alteration; NH RSA 482-A:3, wetlands permit requirement; NH RSA 79:10, notice of intent to cut; NH RSA 231:158, scenic roads
Land clearing is quoted per site, so we don't publish set prices. For planning, HomeGuide puts land clearing at about $1,200 to $2,500 per acre for light clearing of brush and small trees and $4,500 to $8,000 per acre for heavy clearing of dense woods with large trees (HomeGuide (opens in a new tab)). Angi reports a typical range of roughly $1,397 to $6,176 per acre (Angi (opens in a new tab)). These are national reference ranges, not our prices, and stump removal, hauling and grading in Bedford can add to them.
If your project is mostly brush and small trees that can be mulched in place, our forestry mulching cost calculator gives a planning estimate. For everything else, call (603) 438-6492 or request a quote.
Cost references: HomeGuide: Land Clearing Cost; Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land?
A few places locals know, and what they mean for outdoor work nearby.
Town-owned conservation land on New Boston Road in northwest Bedford, built around a rock formation once called the Devil's Pulpit. Lots that border conservation land have boundaries worth confirming before any cutting or clearing.
Get directions to Pulpit Rock Conservation Area (opens Google Maps in a new tab)The largest body of water in Bedford other than the Merrimack River, connected to smaller ponds by Sebbins Brook. Sebbins Brook is one of the streams under the town's 50-foot non-disturbance buffer.
Get directions to Sebbins Pond (opens Google Maps in a new tab)The highest point in Bedford at 845 feet, in the extreme northwest corner of town. Sloped, wooded lots in this part of town need extra planning for equipment access and erosion control.
Get directions to Holbrook Hill (opens Google Maps in a new tab)Runs along part of Bedford's eastern edge. Land within 250 feet of the river is protected shoreland under state law, which limits stump and vegetation removal near the bank.
Get directions to Merrimack River (opens Google Maps in a new tab)Photos from our crew's jobs across New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Small residential clearing away from brooks and wetlands often doesn't need one. Work inside a named brook's 50-foot buffer needs town approval, wetlands need a state permit, and projects over 100,000 square feet need an Alteration of Terrain permit. Check with the Planning Department before you start.
They take the 50 feet on each side of a named brook off the table for clearing in most cases. That can push a house, driveway or septic area toward the road. Have the buffer located on your plan before we clear.
Both, depending on what goes where. Stumps under a foundation, driveway or septic area usually come out with the mini excavator, and stumps in future lawn areas can be ground in place. We work from your builder's layout.
Debris can be hauled off on our trucks and trailers, or brush can be mulched in place where that fits the plan. If saleable timber is cut, the owner files a Notice of Intent to Cut with the town before cutting begins.
Yes. We clear the area, protect the lawn and landscaping we are not working in, remove stumps and rough grade the spot. Send photos and the planned footprint with your quote request.
See every town we cover on our service areas page.
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