So, you’re thinking about hiring out a bush hog job. Whether you’ve recently purchased a new plot of land in need of some maintenance or are just getting around to cleaning up your property at the changing of seasons, bush hogging (also known as brush hogging or rotary cutting) is one of the most straightforward and effective ways to prepare land for development, hunting, farming and recreation.

If you’ve recently moved to a new area or are hiring out bush hogging services for the first time, the good news is that dealings with folks who perform the service are likely to be pretty straightforward. Even so, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’ve covered all your bases and get some of the biggest questions answered before signing the project over.

To make sure you feel comfortable and certain about your choice, here are a few questions to make sure to go over with a potential contractor prior to hiring out the job.

1. Where are you located?

If you’re familiar with the area, skip this question. But if you’re new to the area or unsure about where the company or contractor is located, ask. Why? The bush hogging rate you’re quoted is likely going to include the cost of machinery transportation to and from your property, and any contractor worth his salt is going to factor that travel time into his or her final price.

If you live in an area where landscaping services are in abundance, you can afford to be more choosy with who gets the work based on where they are located, but you won’t know until you ask. And while distance isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, know you’ll be the one covering the cost if you opt for the service located 25 miles out verses the father-son operation a mile away.

2. What are your rates, and how do you charge?

Hourly? Per acre? Understanding the price structure of an individual or landscape service performing the bush hogging service will help you know what you can expect to spend and give you a better idea of the timeline for getting it all done.

While it’s purely personal preference whether you settle on price per acre or hour, it’s generally advised that you and the contractor agree on the rate up front, prior to the project beginning. Because while most folks can be trusted to work with integrity and deliver in a reasonable amount of time, projects not priced out beforehand can lead to being taken advantage of. If you and your contractor decide you’ll pay him an hourly fee but leave it up to him to report back when finished, you don’t have a leg to stand on if he chooses to take two days.

Prices for bush hogging vary widely and are based on a combination of where you live, amount of property, travel time and fuel cost. If you’re comfortable employing a family member or neighbor who has a reasonable amount of experience and can give you a good rate, agree up front on the expectations for the outcome. You get what you pay for, and bush hogging is no exception.

3. How many years of experience do you have?

More than knowing how long this individual has been around, you’ll get a better idea of their ability to truly deliver on the job, regardless of what unexpected situations or road bumps arise along the way. Individuals or companies who have been around longer than a handful of years are also more likely to own better, more seasoned equipment, in addition to having a level of mastery when operating it – which directly benefits you and your property.

4. Do you offer tree removal/clearing services after the mowing is done?

Tree removal may or may not be necessary, depending on the terrain of your property. However, if your land has saplings larger than 2” in diameter, either expect the contractor you hire to spend additional time cutting out the trees or ask about paying extra to have them cleared out by han