Not all brush clearance crews are created equal.

Hiring the wrong team could leave you:

• Out of compliance with city codes
• Vulnerable to wildfires
• On the hook for re-clearing (plus fines!)

Here’s how to hire smart, what to ask, and how to protect your investment in communities like La Habra Heights, Malibu, Altadena, and surrounding hillsides.

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🔹 Note: While many of our examples reference La Habra Heights, the principles of hiring apply across Southern California’s wildfire-prone zones — including Malibu, Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica Mountains, and hillside communities throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Ventura Counties.

We focus on La Habra Heights for a reason:
LHH is a wildfire-resilient city with an excellent reputation for proactive fire safety.

• The La Habra Heights Fire Department (LHHFD) is highly regarded and is a hands-on training ground for fire science students from Rio Hondo College, many of whom go on to become firefighters throughout OC and LA Counties.
• LHHFD’s experience, training, and brush clearance enforcement are respected across the region, making their 2024 standards an ideal model for best practices.

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🛠️ Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Brush Clearance Company

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✅ 1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

• Look for a California State Contractor’s License (C-27 Landscaping or C-61/D-49 Tree Service).
• Always verify liability insurance and workers’ comp coverage.

🚨 Why it matters: You don’t want liability if a worker gets injured on your land.

✅ Brush clearance costs explained — and why legit crews charge more.

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✅ 2. Are You Familiar with Local Clearance Codes?

• Ask if they know the 2024 La Habra Heights clearance rules (or your city’s standards).
• Confirm they understand:
  • Zone A and Zone B defensible space
  • Ladder fuel removal
  • Roadside clearance

✅ Understand defensible zones fully here.

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✅ 3. What’s Included in Your Service?

Get specifics:

• Is green waste hauling included?
• Are disposal fees extra?
• Will they prune trees as part of the job?
• Will they photograph the work for inspection documentation?

✅ Use our full Brush Clearance Checklist to see what real clearance includes.

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✅ 4. Do You Have References?

• Ask for recent clients — especially hillside or canyon homes.
• Look for reviews on Yelp, Google, and local Facebook groups.

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✅ 5. What Equipment Will You Use?

Good crews bring:

• Heavy-duty trimmers
• Chainsaws
• Hauling trailers
• Fire-safe mowing tools (especially for slopes)

✅ Learn why clearing slopes is a specialty job.

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✅ 6. Can You Start and Finish By (Deadline Date)?

• Most cities require clearance by May 1st.
• Ensure your contractor can finish well before inspections begin.

✅ Brush clearance timing matters more than ever — here’s why.

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🚩 Red Flags to Watch Out For

• No written estimate
• No proof of insurance
• “We don’t haul anything, just pile it”
• Unwilling to answer basic safety questions
• Vague about deadlines or scope

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📋 Bonus Tip: Get It in Writing

Your estimate or agreement should spell out:

• Specific work areas
• Disposal responsibility
• Total cost
• Timeline

Clear terms = fewer surprises.

✅ See how professional planning helps large property owners save thousands.

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🌟 Final Thought

Hiring a clearance crew isn’t just about chopping weeds.
It’s about choosing a partner who understands:

• Fire behavior
• Local law
• Property protection

✅ Visit our full Brush Clearance Resource Center for vetted help, checklists, and local best practices.
✅ Need help finding trusted brush clearance workers? Contact us today.