Land Clearing
Removing trees, brush, stumps and rocks from the building site, the driveway route and the other areas you plan to use.
More about land clearing →
Site preparation
Dirt Work & Land Clearing in the Lake Livingston Area
Clearing, grading, house pads, drainage and driveway prep to get your lot ready to build, from the same company that can pour the foundation and build the house.
Getting your land ready to build
Every build starts with the ground. Before a slab is poured or a garage is framed, the site has to be cleared, shaped and drained so the structure sits on firm, level ground and rainwater moves away from it instead of toward it.
Onalaska Builders handles that site work with our own crews. Because we also do foundations and new home construction, the dirt work can be planned around the rest of your project instead of being handed off between separate contractors.
Our dirt work and land management services include:
Our services
Dirt work and land management services
Each of these can be a job on its own or one step in a larger build.
Excavation & Grading
Moving and leveling dirt, cutting slopes and shaping the lot so the ground is stable and water drains the right way.
More about excavation & grading →
House Pads
Building up and compacting a level pad for a new home, garage or shop to sit on, ready for the foundation.
More about house pads →
Site Drainage
Swales, grading corrections and French drains that carry rainwater away from homes and other structures.
More about site drainage →
Driveways & Culverts
Clearing and grading driveway and access-road routes, laying gravel and installing drainage culverts.
More about driveways & culverts →
Bush Hogging
Heavy-duty mowing of overgrown acreage, pasture and thick underbrush.
More about bush hogging →Before you build
What site work does a lot need before you build?
It depends on the property, but most new builds around the lake move through the same stages. Knowing them up front makes it easier to plan the project and the budget.
- Clearing. Trees, brush and stumps come out where the house, driveway and any outbuildings will go. You decide which trees stay outside that footprint.
- Grading. The lot is shaped so the building area is level and the ground around it slopes away.
- Drainage. Swales or drains are added where water would otherwise collect or run toward the house.
- House pad. Fill is placed and compacted to create a firm, level base for the foundation.
- Driveway access. A graded, graveled route lets trucks and equipment reach the site, with a culvert where the driveway crosses a ditch.
From there the site is ready for the foundation. See our slab foundations and crawl space and footing work for the next step.
Land clearing or bush hogging?
The two are easy to mix up, and they solve different problems.
Land clearing
Removes trees, stumps, roots and rocks so the ground can be built on, driven on or put to use. This is what a building site and driveway need.
Bush hogging
Heavy-duty mowing that knocks down overgrown brush and small growth across acreage or pasture. Stumps and roots stay in the ground, so it opens up land rather than preparing it for a structure.
Lawn care
For a yard that just needs regular mowing, edging and cleanup, our lawn care service is the better fit.
Lake and timber country
Site work on wooded and lakeside lots
Much of the land around Lake Livingston is wooded, and lots range from lakefront parcels to rural acreage in Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties. Ground conditions change from one property to the next, so grading and drainage are worth planning around your specific lot rather than a one-size approach.
Access matters too. A long or low-lying driveway may need a culvert or extra gravel to stay usable in wet weather. Where a driveway meets a public road, the county or the state may have its own requirements, and work close to the lake shoreline can involve additional rules, so it pays to check those early.
We do dirt work within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring, Shepherd, Groveton, Trinity, Huntsville, Cleveland and Willis. See our full service area.
Related services
Questions
Dirt work questions
What is the difference between land clearing and bush hogging?
Land clearing removes trees, stumps and roots so the ground can be built on or used. Bush hogging is heavy-duty mowing that cuts overgrown brush and small growth across acreage but leaves stumps and roots in the ground.
Does every lot need drainage work before building?
No. If water pools on the lot or runs toward where the house will sit, grading changes, swales or a French drain are usually worth adding before the foundation goes in. If the lot already sheds water away from the building area, less may be needed.
Do I have to clear my whole lot?
Usually not. Clearing is typically limited to the building site, the driveway and the areas you plan to use. Tell us which trees you would like to keep and we will talk it through.
How do I get an estimate for dirt work?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code of the property. It helps to mention the rough size of the lot, how wooded it is and what you plan to build.
Get started
Tell us about your property
Whether you need a building site cleared, a pad built or water moved away from your house, send the form or give us a call.