Land Clearing vs. Grading
What’s the Difference and What Do You Need?
We get this question a lot: “I know I need something done with my land, but do I need clearing, grading, or both?” If you're a landowner, builder, or investor, you’ve likely stood on a raw piece of property wondering the same thing. The trees need to go. The slope looks off. There's overgrowth, maybe old stumps, maybe a driveway to add. It can be hard to tell where to start.
So let’s break it down, what’s the difference between clearing and grading, and how do you know which service is right for your land?
Step 1: Land Clearing
Land clearing is the first phase of most projects. It’s about removing obstacles that are in the way, for example, trees, brush, undergrowth, stumps, rocks, and debris.
Clearing prepares your property by making it accessible and visible. It gives you a clean slate so you (or your builder, or your buyer) can start planning with confidence.
Land clearing includes:
Tree and brush removal
Stump grinding or pulling
Hauling or mulching debris
Clearing access roads or driveways
Site cleanup
If your lot is overgrown, wooded, or completely untouched, clearing is where it all begins.
Step 2: Grading
Grading comes after clearing. Once the land is open, grading reshapes it. It sets the elevation, slope, and drainage so your site functions the way it needs to, whether for building, driving, draining, or planting.
Grading includes:
Shaping the land to a buildable contour
Creating positive drainage away from the site
Building a level pad for a house, shed, barn, or garage
Smoothing driveways or access points
Preparing for landscaping, sod, or gravel
Think of it like this:
Clearing gets the land out of your way. Grading sets it up for what comes next.
Do You Always Need Both?
Not always. It depends on your land and what you’re trying to do.
If your property is completely overgrown and untouched, you’ll probably need both clearing and grading. Clearing gets the trees and brush out of the way; grading shapes the land so it drains properly and can be built on.
But if your lot is already open, you might just need grading to level things out or prep for a foundation. Or if you're just cleaning up overgrowth to sell the land or make it usable, clearing alone might do the job.
Every project is different, and we’re happy to walk the land with you and tell you exactly what you need and what you don’t.
The Fieldworks Difference
A lot of companies make this process harder than it needs to be.
They quote a day rate. They tack on fees for hauling or stumps. They leave grading out of the first conversation entirely. And when the work starts, your budget flies out the window.
At Fieldworks, we built a different model:
Flat rate pricing for clearing, with flat-rate pricing for grading in the works
One quote, one number, no surprises
Clear guidance on what services you actually need
Professional, responsive communication from start to finish
Whether you’re clearing a half-acre homesite or prepping 10 acres for development, we’ll help you make sense of the process, and we’ll do the work right.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an expert in site work. That’s our job.
If you’re looking at your property and thinking, “I know I want to do something, but I’m not sure where to start,” we’re here to help.
We’ll walk the site, explain your options, and give you one flat rate to get it done.