Any lawn/tree removal people here? (Sarasota: house, landscaping, buying)

[Volgirl65]

The house we are buying in Sarasota (hoping to close by the end of the month) has a small jungle in the backyard. I really think that is why it hadn't sold before it did. The more times we drove by the house and looked at the backyard, the larger the jungle became!
We called a couple of places to get estimates on cleaning it out but everyone so far is more expensive than we can afford to pay. It needs equipment or we would just do it ourselves. Also, I am NOT sure what all is growing and living back in all that mess!!!
Any ideas?

Thanks,
Amy

[Californianz]

We have similar work on the place we are buying, though not jungle - it is uncontrolled hedges all over a lanai cage. There's a lot of other overgrown landscaping to clean up too.

Option 1 - Get multiple bids by offering the work on Craigslist. Make sure to say - competitive bids being accepted - lowest price gets the work!

Take lots of good photos of your mess and add them to the ad - as well as a full description of the size and scope of the work including haul away. Some if not most replies will want to see it in person before giving you a price. If it's unoccupied you can send them - otherwise you'll have to wait and move in first (like us).

Option 2 - I don't know if they have this is FL, but back home there were "day laborers" you could find in certain areas. It helps a lot if you can speak Spanish. The thing is they won't have any tools (if needed) so you would have to provide for that. You have to go pick them up, and then drop them back off afterwards, in your own vehicle.... so it's not for everybody. A lot of these guys are very happy to get work.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Originally Posted by Californianz

Option 2 - I don't know if they have this is FL, but back home there were "day laborers" you could find in certain areas. It helps a lot if you can speak Spanish. The thing is they won't have any tools (if needed) so you would have to provide for that. You have to go pick them up, and then drop them back off afterwards, in your own vehicle.... so it's not for everybody. A lot of these guys are very happy to get work.

Yeah, I am trying to imagine life in Florida without a ready supply of day labors. They are an awesome resource.

[sware2cod]

What's wrong with jungle? Is this native saw palmetto and small oaks? Or is it Brazillian Pepper? What are you going to replace it with, and why?

[nphomeowner]

I have to keep the jungle trimmed back along my property lines too or it will take over. You want to use the land you purchase. That yard thing!! Place for the dog and or kids to run!!

[Volgirl65]

Yeah, the jungle along with several over-imposing pepper trees and dead trees are back there. You can't see 1/2 of the backyard. There is no telling what is living in that mess!
We have had bids from 1200-2750 so far....so there is a definite range of prices out there. Since the house is empty, we are getting prices now so that as soon as we close, I can call the one with the best price. I want to see the land I purchased! : )

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Originally Posted by Volgirl65

Since the house is empty, we are getting prices now so that as soon as we close, I can call the one with the best price. I want to see the land I purchased! : )

Are you planning to be there when they do it? If there is anything you want them not to remove, you probably need to be there to protect it. Some people use the scorched earth standard of quality. That is unless you are into barren.

[Californianz]

Originally Posted by Cardiff by the Sea

Are you planning to be there when they do it? If there is anything you want them not to remove, you probably need to be there to protect it. Some people use the scorched earth standard of quality. That is unless you are into barren.

Except in FL, scorched earth turns back into jungle within 2 months or less during summer. lol Seriously, if you have plants, grasses, bushes and weeds etc. you do not want - they have to be taken out by the roots, and the soil treated to keep them out.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Originally Posted by Californianz

Except in FL, scorched earth turns back into jungle within 2 months or less during summer. lol Seriously, if you have plants, grasses, bushes and weeds etc. you do not want - they have to be taken out by the roots, and the soil treated to keep them out.

Do mothers have to be vigilant so that their small children and dogs do not become hopelessly lost in the back yard during a play session?

Are there man eating plants? Perhaps something like the plant in "Little Shop of Horrors"?

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Gators, snakes, bobcats, oh my!

I can see it being very expensive to remove that much brush. I have not seen any day laborers around - and I have seen a lot in Virginia where I come from.