Clearing wooded lots for homes, additions, driveways and commercial projects.
We clear wooded and overgrown land in Merrimack for builders, landowners and commercial clients. Our crew brings track loaders, a mini excavator, a grapple and trucks with trailers, so we can cut, pull stumps, and haul debris in one project.
Call (603) 438-6492 or use Get a Quote with the parcel location and what you plan to build.
Water and woods define a lot of Merrimack's undeveloped land, and both affect where and how much you can clear.
Merrimack's Flood Hazard Conservation District covers FEMA flood zones, and the town counts grading, filling and excavation there as development. Clearing near the Merrimack or Souhegan rivers needs a check against the flood map first.
The town's zoning includes a Wetlands Conservation District. Wooded lots with brooks or wet soils may have less clearable area than the lot size suggests.
Wooded parcels, especially where land rises toward the town's high point in the northwest, mean more trees per acre and sometimes slopes. Slope and tree size drive equipment choice and how much timber comes off the lot.
Clearing a wooded acre can produce enough wood to bring the state timber tax into play. Planning for the notice of intent early avoids delays.
Alteration of Terrain. NH DES requires a permit when earth moving cumulatively disturbs more than 100,000 square feet over 10 years, or more than 50,000 square feet if any part is in protected shoreland (Env-Wq 1502.58 (opens in a new tab); RSA 485-A:17 (opens in a new tab)).
Wetlands. Excavating, removing or filling in wetlands and banks needs a state permit (RSA 482-A:3 (opens in a new tab)). Merrimack's zoning ordinance adds a Wetlands Conservation District and a Flood Hazard Conservation District, where grading, filling and excavation count as development (Town zoning ordinance (opens in a new tab)).
Intent to Cut. If clearing produces timber, the owner may need to file a notice of intent to cut with the town's assessing office before cutting (RSA 79:10 (opens in a new tab)). Land conversion cuts can be exempt up to set limits with the permits for the new use (RSA 79:1 (opens in a new tab)).
Confirm with Merrimack's Community Development and assessing offices for your parcel. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Sources: NH Code of Administrative Rules Env-Wq 1500 (Alteration of Terrain); NH RSA 485-A:17, Alteration of Terrain; NH RSA 482-A:3, Wetlands permits; Town of Merrimack Zoning Ordinance and Building Code; NH RSA 79:10, Notice of intent to cut; NH RSA 79:1, Timber tax definitions and exemptions
HomeGuide (opens in a new tab) puts national land clearing averages at about $1,200 to $8,000 per acre: roughly $1,200 to $2,500 for light brush and small trees, $2,500 to $4,500 for moderate growth, and $4,500 to $8,000 for dense woods with large trees. Grading for a small home site is listed separately at about $2,000 to $5,000 on mostly level land and much more on rocky ground. These are national reference ranges, not our prices. Land clearing has too many variables for a calculator, so we price it after looking at the lot. If part of the job is brush or small trees, our forestry mulching cost calculator gives a rough starting point.
Cost references: HomeGuide: Land Clearing Cost
A few places locals know, and what they mean for outdoor work nearby.
Town conservation land on the Souhegan River with a loop trail and stepped rapids. It shows how much of central Merrimack sits along river shoreland.
Get directions to Wildcat Falls Conservation Area (opens Google Maps in a new tab)A town-owned preserve of about 563 acres off Amherst Road, bought by voters in 2002 to keep it from development. It shows how much wooded land remains in town.
Get directions to Horse Hill Nature Preserve (opens Google Maps in a new tab)A town park with a residents-only beach on Naticook Lake. Lots near the lake can fall within shoreland rules that limit stump and root removal close to the water.
Get directions to Wasserman Park and Naticook Lake (opens Google Maps in a new tab)Photos from our crew's jobs across New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Yes. We clear trees, remove or grind stumps, and haul debris for house lots, additions and driveways. Send the parcel location and your building plan or site plan if you have one.
Merrimack's zoning maps show the Flood Hazard and Wetlands Conservation districts. The town's Community Development Department can confirm it for your parcel before you clear.
If the clearing produces timber, New Hampshire generally requires the owner to file a notice of intent to cut with the town's assessing office before cutting. Some land conversion cuts are exempt up to set limits.
When earth moving disturbs more than 100,000 square feet over 10 years, or more than 50,000 square feet if any part is within 250 feet of protected waters.
Yes. Our track loaders and mini excavator can rough grade the cleared area. Tell us what comes next, such as a foundation, driveway or lawn, so we leave the site ready for it.
See every town we cover on our service areas page.
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