After years of bad economic news, it finally looks like things are turning around in many parts of the country. Even the construction industry is showing signs of recovery. So, if you’ve been thinking about cleaning up some property for house building or other purposes, this may be the perfect time to get started. However, before you begin your east Texas land clearing project, remember that you may run into challenges you didn’t expect. Here are some situations you might encounter:

Abandoned vehicles – Landowners occasionally find that someone broke down on their lot and just left the auto there. If this happens to you, then be aware that, according to Texas law, a vehicle is considered abandoned if it has sat on private property for 48 hours without being moved. If this is the case, then copy the license and VIN numbers down and contact the DMV. They should be able to tell you the owner. At that point, you can contact them and request they move the car or truck. If they fail to do so, or if you can’t find them, then the next step is to call the police. They will arrange to have the vehicle removed and impounded, at which point it’s no longer your affair, unless you wish to take possession of it yourself. If you do, you will need to attend the law enforcement auction where it will be sold. If you place the highest bid, then the car or truck is yours.

Fire ants – These little devils are the scourge of the Lone Star State, and it’s entirely possible you may run into them while clearing a piece of land. They’re infamous for destroying native plants, getting into wiring and plumbing systems, invading homes, and in extreme cases, killing pets, children, or even adults. If you discover them on your property, then your best option is to call a professional exterminator with the tools and equipment necessary to eradicate them. If you insist on doing the job yourself, experts recommend that you first scatter granular ant poison widely across the acreage. They will carry it back to the nest and feed it to the queen; then they will begin to die. After this, you can follow up with a mound poison for continued control. You should know that, to be truly effective, you should be prepared for a lengthy campaign. Six weeks is usually the minimum time it takes to get control of a fire ant infestation. For more facts, including specific recommendations on insecticides and extermination methods, visit www.fireant.tamu.edu. This is a site maintained by Texas A&M University, with extensive information on fire ant control.

Squatters – If your land is remote or unused, it’s possible that someone may take up residence on it. If so, then removing them can be a very tricky matter, due to what is known as “adverse possession.” In fact, if they have been residing there for a while and/or have farmed or otherwise improved the acreage, you might not be able to get rid of them – legally, that is. If you discover unauthorized persons living on your property, then contact an attorney well versed in real estate law as soon as possible. He or she can advise you of your options and suggest a course of action.

Sometimes clearing a lot is a simple matter of picking up some trash and raking a few leaves. Other times, your east Texas land clearing project may involve extensive tree removal or other tasks best left to professionals. If this is the case in your situation, then contact us here at Ultimate Construction. We have the equipment, tools, and expert knowledge needed to do the job properly.