Land preparation order clearing

Hello everyone,

we have finally acquired a building plot (approx. 900sqm) in Mönchengladbach, which is mostly overgrown with blackberry bushes. On one side, there are a few smaller trees. To clarify, I took two photos from two opposite sides. The trees that I have hidden in one picture (Rd2) are located on a neighboring plot behind, so don’t be confused. The trees in the gap in Rd2 are the ones visible in Rd1.

We are not that far with our building plans to start construction soon, but we are also not at the very beginning. We have now learned that between March and September, no significant clearing work is allowed. Therefore, we are afraid that the start of construction might be unnecessarily delayed.

A professional company advised us and urgently recommended quick clearing. We have received an offer for clearing, shredding, disposal, and processing with a clearing mill for about €5k. Now I have the following questions:
1) I assume we really need to act quickly if we don’t want to “block” the option to start construction in October.
2) If yes, what exactly needs to be done for site preparation? Wouldn’t simply “flattening” be enough at first, since the rest will be done during the earthworks when building the house? We want to avoid double work and thus double costs, of course.
3) Is the above-mentioned offer realistic? I have often read about subcontractors or other alternatives that cost a fraction. What is the proper way to get concrete offers?

Best regards

we finally got a building plot (approx. 900 sqm) in Mönchengladbach, which is mostly overgrown with blackberry bushes. On one side, there are a few smaller trees.

Then take a look "in the mirror" at your twin : or at or at

Then take a look "in the mirror" at your twin : or at or at

For me, it was something completely different. According to the OP, it is a building plot, so no conversion is necessary. For us, it was a forest plot and the clearing was only allowed after the building application was approved. In addition, we have a rather strict tree protection ordinance in our village.

Thanks in advance for the answers. Unfortunately, I don’t understand in all cases how this can help me.

1)
I have read everything. Is the conclusion here that it is better not to clear everything generally? If so, could we leave the few trees standing at one end (picture 2)? All others and the blackberry bushes would probably be in the area or close to the construction site and would have to be removed. However, the question remains whether the trees might be an obstacle during construction.

2)
I had already read that from my post. The price for “clearing shrubbery, including roots, sorting, loading and disposal: €5.00 per square meter” plus trees would fit with my offer. However, alternatives were also discussed here in the forum, e.g., contractors. That means I would have to google landscapers, contractors, tree care companies, etc., in the area and get quotes.
To keep the option of starting construction before October open, we still have to have the clearing done before March. With this time gap, is it advisable to have the disposal done as part of the clearing, or would it be better to do that simultaneously with the actual earthworks?

3)
Although I have read the entire thread, I don’t quite understand what I can take away from it.

For me, it was something completely different. According to the OP, it is a building plot, so no conversion is necessary.

Unfortunately, I don’t understand for everyone how this can help me.

I simply gathered some reading tips for you from more recent times or from a similar case about a year ago, with related threads that I recall. Of course, you don’t have the same specific conditions as the clearing forum colleagues, but quite a few questions around how much it costs – who can / may do it – how long something like that takes, etc., are transferable. I did not have any particular tenor or conclusion of the threads in mind. However, yes, I obviously would not clear everything bare. There are also garden greening threads here, where you can find hints, for example, by using the search term "Rhizomsperre," about which stubborn fellows might continue to root out more than one would grant them. Personally, I like being woken up by birdsong and even moved once after the idiotic landlady cut down all the sight and wind protection just to have to clean her conservatory roof less often (as she at least believed, which, however, backfired on her quite spectacularly).

Ok, understood. Then I think we’ll leave the trees standing on one end for now ;)

Regarding the costs, I will get quotes then.

The question remains about the scope and disposal of the clearing. Remove directly or rather leave them lying and then have them transported away together with the earthworks? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?