Heavily overgrown property - what is the best way to proceed?

Hello,

we have been offered a plot of land from a community of heirs. The background is that the community of heirs lives in Hannover and the plot is located in Berlin.

Here are a few bullet points about the plot (statements from the provider):
- used only as garden land since the 1930s
- many years ago there was a small garden house, which has already been demolished
- a few fruit trees and shrubs, presumably all overgrown since no one has been on site for a very long time and nothing has been maintained
- fully developed
- fruit trees can be cleared without permission
- no contaminated sites

We have now looked at the plot and were initially a bit disappointed. The whole thing resembles a forest. However, we are convinced that it has potential.

So far, we only have the word of the provider and nothing reliable. We are now wondering how to proceed best here. Today I first sent the pictures to the provider, let's see what he says about the condition.

Our idea is:
To ask companies specialized in clearing if a rough estimate of the costs for clearing based on pictures is possible. Or does it also make sense here to ask the construction company if they can do these works as well? (Doing it ourselves would be great but we have no time and no equipment for these tasks)

What is also not yet clear is whether the plot can be built on at all according to our ideas. Where and how can I clarify this question? The provider said building is possible according to the surrounding development.

In this picture the street side of the plot can be seen:

But those don't look like fruit trees. You are not allowed to simply cut down regular deciduous trees in Berlin.

If it is building land, I would ask the nature conservation office directly whether and which trees may be cut down. It may be possible to find someone who will cut down the trees inexpensively if they can keep the wood.

Just ask at the district office if there is a development plan and at the same time inquire with [Naturschutz] about the clearing.

If everything can go, just put it on eBay and Co with the note that the wood may be kept.

I had completely forgotten about this topic here. The following news: Response from the building authority regarding construction in the rear area is still pending. The municipality has already responded regarding clearing: everything under 60cm trunk circumference can be removed outside the vegetation period. Everything above that requires approval. I have already been offered an on-site appointment for this.

Today I will first see if I can get all the way to the back of the property. A possible contractor for the clearing is already involved and is looking at it.

I created the contract via MyHammer and received some offers. On Thursday, two possible contractors will also be on site for inspection.

Of course, during our last conversation, I also asked the franchisee from Town & Country what he thought about it. He said that if we commission a company, we should expect around €20,000.

The first offers without inspection were around €3,000. Let’s see what the first candidate says today.

It is important that all the roots of the trees are removed. The trees themselves can be gotten rid of very quickly here. For the rest, you can also ask a farmer if he could mow over it once with rough equipment. The earthworks for the house will come anyway. But at €3000 all in, I would probably go for it. Regards Joe