How do I choose the right vacant land to build my home on?

There are many choices that go into choosing a rural propertyfor your new home. The decision is easier if planning a home in the city. Everyone looks for the incredible views, a stream, trees, or whatever seems important to them.

What is far more important to the cost of building a home is power, water, and soil conditions. How far is electricity? Bringing in electricity can be expensive, the cost begins at the last pole in existence and you, not the electrical company is responsible for the cost of each pole and the service to your site location. In most rural locations there are no public water and sewer systems. Cost for drilling a well, can vary dramatically depending on how deep we must go to reach good water. Septic systems and foundation costs depend on soil conditions. I recommend that before you purchase property you hire an excavator to give you an evaluation. A couple of hundred dollars now may save you many thousands later.

Last, but certainly not least is the location of your home on the property. I recently built a home for someone who had purchased 40 acres of property with power, a well and great soil conditions for building, but she insisted on building in an area with a lot of shale, a type of rock that is difficult to build on, but it had great views. The added cost of digging a new well, moving power, an engineered septic system and added costs for the foundation due to soil conditions increased her building costs by aproximately $30,000.

She had already paid a premium for the property because of the power and well that existed, by thinking through the process, it would have been better for her to save money on the purchase price and find a property without utilities, as it was she paid for them twice. I can build anything anywhere, if you are willing to pay for it. I prefer to advise my clients to think through the process and ask questions before purchasing property. Location is another cost consideration, if the property is on the side of a rocky mountain a good road to get materials in is also going to add to the cost of building.

I understand that sometimes property is purchased years before you intend to build, but some common sense and “big picture” thinking as you are purchasing the property will save you money when you do build.

Apache Creek Builders – Charlie Kattnig owner and ICF Builder in Southern Colorado including Pueblo, Westcliffe, Rye, Colorado City, Hatchet Ranch,  and surrounding areas.

www.apachecreekbuilders.com 719-251-3003