First I just have to laugh because my husband and I were just having this conversation yesterday. If I remember right you are looking to buy in SEH as well. I am right with you on gaining some of that slope space.
My brother in Virginia is doing this project as we speak. Russell is right on. My brother rented the bobcat for one day…I can’t remember how much. Then paid a driver to clear for $15.00 an hour. It ended up costing him $140 for the driver. He is doing the rest by himself. He was quoted $30,000 for the entire yard, sod, patio, retaining wall, clearing dirt.
He will end up doing it for about $3,000 including a slate patio. The bobcat driver saved his sod and had him go over the patio area several times to compact the dirt which will streamline the patio installation.