If you have a construction project that you want to undertake, be it a self-build or otherwise, then choosing land often comes first. When you choose your land, then there’s a lot more that you need to think about than the advantages of its location., both before and after the purchase.
Ensure you can get the utilities that you need
Believe it or not, some of the most expensive costs can be getting access to the utilities that many might consider essential for living in a home. This includes, of course, things like access to water, sewage, electricity, and natural gas. You also want to consider internet and mobile phone options and how you can access them. Sites like Landcentral can help you find out how to find the utilities that are available in any given area. If you choose a piece f land before considering what utilities are available, you can end up paying over the nose for them.
How much work has to go into clearing it?
No matter where you buy the plot, all land has to be prepared before work can start on it. That’s a simple reality of construction. However, it’s important to know what kind of work is going to be necessary when you build that land. In some cases, you might simply need some excavation and foundation building to support the project. If you’re buying a plot out in a rural or wild area, however, then you should expect that you will need a team like Samson Land Clearing to get rid of any growths or minerals that can get in the way of the construction. Sometimes picking a spot that isn’t quite so cluttered can help you reduce the work and costs needed to clear the land.
Worksite availability
It’s not just about the land that you’re going to prepare and build the project on, either. You also have to consider what additional space you might need to serve as a job site. This includes areas to do the work, as well as to host any machinery that has to be used during the construction, not to mention areas where waste can be put until it’s removed. By choosing land that allows you to easily clear and use extra land for a larger worksite, then you might be able to improve on-site efficiency, which can then help you improve the cost-effectiveness of the job site. At the very least, you should have an idea of the minimum amount of space that you need to host your work team and equipment.
Learning about local hazards and disasters
You shouldn’t be learning only about what you stand to gain from your choice of location, you should also be learning about the various hazards that might affect both the project and the property after the project is complete. Getting an understanding of the local climate as well as things such as storm risk is relatively easy, but it’s important to take a look at the potential for local flooding, as well. Flood coverage isn’t provided in most home insurance policies, so you may want to use a tool like Flood Factor to find out how likely it is that a flood may one day hit your home. Even if there is a relatively low risk, but still a risk, you might want to invest in some flood protections for the home.
What kind of red tape can you expect?
Depending on where you build the project, there may be additional regulations and requirements that you have to wrestle with to ensure that you can get the construction that you want. This can also include a need to apply for additional building permits. If you’re working with a construction team with a lead contractor, there’s a good chance that they will help you deal with the building permit part of the project but it’s still a good idea to learn more about what legal requirements you have to meet before you can go ahead with the project. Otherwise, any red tape you forgot to deal with can wrap up the project and stall it.
The right choice of land isn’t just going to affect the environment of the final constructed building, it’s also going to impact the project itself. Be sure that you’re considering all of the factors above when you’re looking at the available plots and pick those that suit all needs.
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