Price by job type
| Job | Typical 2026 range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 clearing, suburban lot | $800–$3,500 | Shrub and root removal, mulch-to-gravel conversion, haul-away. Detailed breakdown. |
| Hand crew, per hour | $60–$120 per worker | Chainsaw and hand-tool work on slopes where machines cannot go. Usually a 3–4 person crew. |
| Tractor mowing, light growth | $300–$800 per acre | Annual grass and light weeds on accessible, flat ground. Common for weed abatement. |
| Brush clearing, moderate growth | $2,000–$4,000 per acre | Mastication or chainsaw thinning of established brush, dead-wood removal. |
| Brush clearing, heavy chaparral or steep slope | $4,000–$8,000+ per acre | Mature chaparral, slopes over 30%, limited access, significant hauling. |
| Dead tree removal | $500–$3,000 per tree | Size, location, and crane access drive the price. |
| Vacant lot weed abatement (city notice) | $400–$2,000 per lot | Depends on lot size and growth. Far cheaper than letting the city's contractor do it and bill you. |
Ranges reflect pricing reported by San Diego County operators and cost guides in 2026. Get a written, itemized quote for your property.
What moves the price
- Slope. The single biggest factor. Flat ground gets a tractor; slopes get people with chainsaws and a lot of hauling uphill.
- Vegetation type and density. Annual grass is cheap. Mature chamise, scrub oak, and sumac are not. Dead eucalyptus and pine are the most expensive material to deal with.
- Access. Can a truck and chipper get within 100 feet of the work? If not, everything is carried.
- Disposal. Chipping on site and leaving mulch in Zone 2 is cheapest. Hauling green waste to a facility costs more. Hauling old fencing or treated wood costs the most.
- Habitat rules. Thinning native coastal sage scrub and chaparral by hand to preserve habitat takes longer than mowing.
- Season. Fall and winter quotes are lower and dates are easier to get. From April onward, demand spikes and so do prices.
Help paying for it
- County of San Diego — California Wildfire Mitigation Program. A pilot in which the county can pay contractors to create defensible space and make home-hardening improvements for eligible homeowners. Ask when you request a quote.
- Fire Safe Council of San Diego County — Defensible Space Assistance Program. Helps homeowners create defensible space, with priority for seniors and residents with limited mobility or income.
- Neighbors. Mobilization is a fixed cost. Two or three adjacent properties cleared on the same day are cheaper for everyone.
Get a written quote
Request a free quote and we will connect you with one licensed, insured local crew that works in your part of the county.