Finding the perfect land for your future home
Choosing the right piece of land for your dream home is an exciting step in the home-building journey. Whether you’re still exploring options or already have a site in mind, it’s crucial to consider a variety of factors that could impact your home’s functionality, accessibility, and overall cost.
Below, we’ve outlined key considerations to help guide you in finding the perfect land for your future home.
Off-site Construction and Site Accessibility
When using off-site construction to build your new home, site accessibility is especially important since large sections of the home will need to be transported to your property.
Here are specific concerns to address:
- Road Conditions: Are there sharp curves, narrow roads, or other potential obstacles on the route to your site?
- Overpasses and Bridges: Are there low-clearance overpasses or bridges with weight limits that could hinder transport?
- Property Access: Will you need to cross someone else’s property to reach yours? If so, do you have the necessary permissions?
- Culverts and Driveways: Are there culverts or ditches that might need reinforcement to allow large vehicles to access the site?
Before you order your home, one of our team members will do a site inspection to ensure there are no issues with getting your home to the property. If you are in the process of purchasing land, talk with your home specialist about whether the property will be suitable for off-site construction before you buy.
Our home specialists, as well as our field crew, have years of experience assisting homeowners build their dream home. Their insights can save you time, money, and potential headaches down the road. We are happy to assist you in evaluating your site.
Budgeting for Land Preparation
Costs associated with purchasing and preparing your land can significantly impact your overall home-building budget. When budgeting, it’s important to take a detailed look at potential expenses that might arise during land preparation. These include:
- Utility Installation: If your site lacks access to utilities, you may need to cover the costs of connecting to the main lines for water, electricity, gas, sewage, and internet. These connections can vary widely in cost depending on the distance from existing infrastructure.
- Road Construction: In cases where your land requires a new driveway or access road, materials and labor for construction can add up quickly. Consider whether gravel, asphalt, or concrete is appropriate for your site and how each affects your budget. Keep in mind, during the construction of your home, large trucks will be in and out of your property during the process, so a construction driveway is needed. Some homeowners have a separate driveway for this purpose, while others use what will be their final driveway, but wait until after construction is over to complete the final driveway.
- Site Grading and Preparation: Uneven terrain might need to be graded to ensure a stable foundation. Clearing trees, removing stumps, and leveling the land are additional costs that should not be overlooked.
- Permits and Fees: Local government regulations may require permits for land preparation activities such as excavation, tree removal, or utility connections. Be sure to research these costs ahead of time.
- Drainage Solutions: Proper drainage is essential to avoid water issues down the line. Installing culverts or drainage systems may be necessary, depending on your site’s natural topography.
- Erosion Control: For sites on slopes or in areas prone to erosion, additional work may be needed to stabilize the land, such as retaining walls or special landscaping.
By accounting for these factors early, you can establish a realistic budget for land preparation and ensure there are no surprises once construction begins. Remember that these costs can influence the amount you’re able to allocate for the actual build, so planning is key.
Our crew can complete some of this work, so talk with your home specialist to get a quote for any additional work you may need on your property.
Considerations for Existing Properties
If you’ve already purchased land, or your current home sits on the site you plan to build on, you’ll want to think about additional factors:
- Living Arrangements: If your current home is on the site, can you live in it during construction, or will it need to be torn down before building begins?
- Demolition Costs: If demolition is necessary, what additional expenses might you incur?
Planning for Your Future Needs
When evaluating a potential site, think about how it will accommodate your lifestyle and future plans. Here are some essential questions to ask:
- Space for Additions: Will you want to install a pool, add a garden, or expand your home in the future?
- Pet-Friendly Spaces: Do you have pets that will need room to roam or a secure yard?
- Family Amenities: Will you need an area for a play set or other outdoor activities for children?
- Utilities: What utilities (water, electricity, sewage, internet) are available at the site? Will you need to run additional lines or make other modifications?
- Site Preparation: Does the land require tree removal, grading, or other preparatory work?
- Accessibility: How will you access main roads? Will driveways or private roads need to be constructed?
- Neighborhood Fit: Does the surrounding area meet your family’s needs, including schools, amenities, and community features?
Finding the perfect piece of land is a foundational step in creating your dream home. By considering both your current needs and future plans, as well as the logistics and costs of land preparation, you can ensure a solid start to your home-building journey. With the right preparation and expert advice, your dream home will soon become a reality.
We are here to help you every step of the way to your dream home!
Fill out the Get Pricing form on our website to be put in touch with a home specialist or stop by one of our model centers.
