Removing Japanese knotweed from a building site

If you are a land or property developer, or have a building site that you suspect has a Japanese knotweed infestation, you'll want to hire an expert to provide the most effective knotweed removal service, but what does this involve?  

At TCM our commercial removal solutions process is as follows:  

Site survey

No building or development site is the same.  Similarly, no Japanese knotweed infestation is the same. So your removal specialist's first step will be to conduct a site survey.  This survey will include details about the size, scale and location of the infestation.

During the site survey photograph's will be taken - using a drone if necessary - to understand the full extent and maturity of the infestation.  And as Japanese knotweed can remain hidden below ground, often a small hole will need to be dug on the site, for further investigation.

Commercial management plans

Once the survey is completed, your removal company representative will provide you with a 'commercial management plan', which should include the following:

• Information about the extent of the infestation, where is it growing and whether it is encroaching into (or from) neighbouring land.
• What ecological and environmental factors there are to consider (many pockets of the countryside are legally protected from vegetation clearing, or herbicides, for example) - a professional knotweed removal company will be knowledgeable about restrictions, laws, etc.,  
• A recommendation of the most effective removal solution, including details on site accessibility, timescales and pricing.

Once you have approved the management plan, removal can begin.  Ideally, the knotweed removal team will keep you informed of their progress - and any unlikely hiccups - along the way.  Unfortunately for you, the rest is just a waiting game! 

Completion and guarantees

Finally... you have removed Japanese knotweed from your building site - completion is often reached within two to three days (when utilising a popular 'dig and dump method'). However, there is still one thing to consider... since Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant, it has the potential to regrow in the same area one it has been removed! 

Although knotweed regrowth is unlikely, professional Japanese knotweed removal companies will offer guarantees to give you peace of mind.  So, it is essential that you employ a trusted and well-respected company who can provide this level of service.

For example, at TCM, we automatically provide you with a gold-standard, Lloyd's backed, A+ rated insurance backed guarantee.  This guarantee period is 5 or 10 years, or longer.  If the Japanese knotweed comes back, so will your knotweed removal expert.

Conclusion

All property developers know Japanese knotweed must be removed before building work can begin, so don't delay in getting in touch if you have concerns about an infestation on your land. Contact us today to discuss your building site and Japanese knotweed removal plan.