Every construction site starts the same way. Trees, brush, stumps, and roots have to come out before grading can begin. Eastcoast Site Work handles that first phase for developers, general contractors, and municipalities. Our crews also install the erosion controls the site needs during the same mobilization. As a result, you coordinate with one company instead of two.
We have been doing site work out of Freehold since 1999. Our clearing crews cover Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Burlington counties, along with Eastern Pennsylvania.
What Clearing and Grubbing Includes
The two terms describe two separate steps. Clearing removes everything above the ground. That means trees, shrubs, vines, and surface debris. Grubbing follows and removes what sits below the surface. Stumps, root mats, and buried logs are pulled out so they won’t rot under fill or pavement.
Depending on the site, the scope can also cover:
- Stump grinding or full stump removal
- Brush chipping and hauling
- Removal of old fences, slabs, and small foundations
- Topsoil stripping and stockpiling
- Tree protection fencing around trees marked to stay
Why Clearing Has to Be Done Right
Roots left in the ground break down over time. Consequently, the soil above them settles and can crack pavement or slabs. Organic debris mixed into fill causes the same problem. For that reason, grubbing depth is set by what will be built on each part of the site. A parking area calls for different prep than a lawn or a building pad.
Clearing also strips away the plants that hold soil in place. Once that cover is gone, one heavy storm can push sediment into streets and storm drains. That is why our crews treat clearing and erosion control as a single job.
Permits and Rules to Plan For
In New Jersey, disturbing more than 5,000 square feet of soil requires a certified soil erosion and sediment control plan.
The local soil conservation district reviews that plan before work begins. District staff then inspect the site to confirm the controls match the plan.
In addition, anyone digging must call 811 at least three full business days ahead. New Jersey One Call then notifies the utilities so they can mark their lines. Stump removal counts as digging, so this step can’t be skipped.
Some towns also have tree removal ordinances that call for permits or replacement plantings. Your engineer or the township can confirm those local rules. Larger sites may also need stormwater permit coverage, which our SWPPP services can support. Throughout the job, our crews work from the approved plans so the field work matches the paperwork.
How a Clearing Project Runs
Walk the Site
First, we review the plans, the limits of disturbance, and any trees marked for protection. Access points are checked for trucks and heavy equipment.
Install Perimeter Controls
Before any soil is disturbed, silt fence goes in along the downslope edges. A stone tracking pad is set at the entrance to keep mud off the road. Nearby storm drains get inlet protection as well.
Clear and Grub
Next, trees are cut and brush is chipped. Stumps and roots are then removed to the depth the plans call for. Debris is hauled off or processed on site, depending on the project.
Stabilize Exposed Ground
Areas that won’t be worked right away still need cover. Hydroseeding or mulch keeps bare soil from washing out. In some cases, wood chips from the clearing can be reused for this purpose.
Equipment for the Job
Clearing work takes heavy machinery and operators who know how to run it safely. Our crews use excavators, loaders, skidders, chippers, and horizontal grinders. Bulldozers and dump trucks are added when the job requires them. Meanwhile, operators keep watch for overhead wires and marked utilities during every phase.
Who We Work With
General contractors bring us in to get sites ready for mobilization. Developers call us for subdivisions and commercial building pads. Municipalities hire us for public works and park projects. HOAs also use our crews to clear overgrown basins and ponds and common areas.
Common Questions
Timing depends on acreage, tree density, and site access. A small lot may take a day or two. On the other hand, a wooded site of several acres can take a few weeks.
Often, yes. Wood chips can serve as mulch or temporary cover when the plan allows it. Topsoil can also be stripped and stockpiled for use during final grading.
Yes. We manufacture our own silt fence and keep it in stock. Because of that, perimeter controls can go in right before clearing starts.