"Land clearing" in NYC and Long Island doesn't look like the rural version with bulldozers and tree harvesters. Here it means an overgrown vacant lot that's collected years of brush and dumped junk, a backyard that swallowed its own shed, or a development site that has to be stripped to grade before anyone can survey it. Here's how that work is actually scoped and priced.
What city lot clearing includes
- Overgrowth & brush — cutting vegetation back to grade and hauling it out.
- Dumped debris — mattresses, tires, and construction waste that vacant lots collect; disposed by weight.
- Structures & hardscape — old fences, sheds, and slabs, removed and hauled.
- Final grade — the lot left level, raked, and usable.
2026 cost ranges (NYC & Long Island)
- Small lot, growth only: $500–$2,500
- Overgrown + dumped debris: $2,500–$8,000
- With structures, slabs, or fencing: priced by scope and tonnage — often $8,000+
The meter is the same as all our work: volume and disposal weight, plus access. A lot you can back a truck onto clears cheaper than one where everything is carried out to the street.
Why lots get cleared
Pre-construction prep, a sale that needs the lot presentable, a Department of Sanitation or HPD violation to cure, or a neighbor complaint that turned into a deadline. For construction, clearing is the step before excavation — and if there's a structure on the lot, we fold the clearing into the demolition itself.
How we run it
We walk the lot, price it by scope, then cut, load, and haul — growth, debris, and hardscape leave as one construction debris removal, with heavier junk handled like any junk removal. Serving all five boroughs and Nassau County. For a lot-clearing quote, call (718) 587-0156.
The green waste side of a job like this — brush, branches, soil — is handled by our yard waste removal crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does lot clearing cost?
A small overgrown city lot typically runs $500–$2,500 to cut back and haul; a lot with dumped debris or heavy growth $2,500–$8,000; lots with structures, slabs, or fencing to remove price higher by tonnage and scope.
What does land clearing include in the city?
Cutting and removing overgrowth and brush, hauling dumped junk and construction debris, taking out fences, sheds, and old slabs, and leaving the lot level, raked, and ready for construction, sale, or a violation cure.
Do you handle lots with illegal dumping?
Yes — vacant NYC lots collect dumped mattresses, tires, and construction waste. We document, load, and dispose of it properly by weight; that tonnage is usually the biggest cost driver.
Can you clear a lot before construction?
Yes. Pre-construction clearing — vegetation, debris, old foundations or slabs — is the step before survey and excavation, and we can carry straight into demolition where a structure has to go.