Site Clearing South Africa is the removal of vegetation, trees, stumps, debris and obstructions so a site can be surveyed, built on or used. Describe your site once and compare quotes from independent clearing contractors.
Tell contractors what is on the site to get clearing quotes.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Site Clearing Includes
- Vegetation. Grass, bush, alien plants and shrubs cut and removed.
- Trees and stumps. Felled, cut up and stumps removed or ground.
- Debris. Dumped rubble, old fencing and scrap removed.
- Disposal. Green waste and debris carted to a licensed site.
Where It Is Used
- Vacant stands. Before survey and building.
- Farms. Bush encroachment and new lands.
- Developments. Before topsoil strip and bulk earthworks.
- Fire breaks. Clearing along boundaries.
Equipment and Methods
- Bobcats and TLBs. Grubbing and loading on small sites.
- Bulldozers. Heavy bush and large areas.
- Chainsaws and chippers. Trees and branches.
- Stump grinders. Stumps removed below ground level.
Site Clearing Prices
Ballpark prices so you can check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Grass and light vegetation, per m² | R4 - R15 |
| Dense bush and shrubs, per m² | R15 - R45 |
| Tree felling and removal, per tree | R1,500 - R15,000 |
| Stump grinding, per stump | R500 - R3,500 |
| Green waste removal, per 10 m³ load | R1,800 - R3,500 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, excluding VAT. They reflect typical South African contractor and plant hire rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no provider is bound by them. Confirm what each quotation includes, such as transport, diesel, operator, tip fees and minimum hours.
Get prices for your site rather than a range. Send one request and compare replies.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Density. Thick bush takes far longer than grass.
- Trees. Size, number and closeness to buildings.
- Disposal. Volume of green waste and distance to a dump site.
- Slope and access. Steep or fenced sites limit machines.
What to Include in Your Request
- Site address and size in m² or hectares.
- What is growing or lying on the site.
- Number and rough size of trees.
- Whether topsoil must stay.
- Whether waste must be removed or can be chipped on site.
- Photos.
Site and Access Considerations
- Environmental rules. Clearing 1 hectare or more of indigenous vegetation can need environmental authorisation. Check first.
- Protected trees. Some species are protected and need a permit to fell.
- Burning. Open burning is restricted in most municipalities.
- Erosion. Cleared land erodes quickly. Clear close to when work will start.
Site Clearing FAQs
What is the difference between site clearing and site preparation?
Clearing removes what is on the site. Preparation gets the cleared site ready to build, including levels and compaction.
Is topsoil removed during clearing?
Not usually. Topsoil stripping is a separate item, often part of site preparation.
Can alien vegetation be cleared?
Yes. Landowners must control listed invasive species, and clearing contractors can do this.
How long does clearing take?
A residential stand is often one day. Larger or heavily treed sites take longer.
Related Services
Request site clearing quotes through Earthworks South Africa and compare rates, scope and availability from each provider.
Earthworks South Africa is a lead-generation and quote-comparison service. We do not own machinery, employ operators or carry out earthworks. Your enquiry is matched with independent providers who quote and do the work, and your contract is with the provider you choose. Ask for a written quotation that states the scope, quantities, rates, exclusions and timing before you pay a deposit.
Site Clearing South Africa. Describe your job once and compare replies from independent providers.
Get the Best QuoteGet the Best Quote, Fast
Client Reviews
Powered by leaderr
