This article is part of our ongoing home construction specification plan series.
Assembling a Home Construction Specification Plan — Spec Plan B: Lot Excavation
You’ve selected a home style, have chosen a builder and the perc tests confirm that your land is suitable for home building. In our first article in this series we took a look at home styles, so let’s go ahead and cover the steps necessary to preparing your land to build your new home.
4 Steps to Preparing the Land
1. Survey the Lot — You may have purchased a two acre lot, but what portion of it will actually house your dwelling and everything related to it? This includes a swimming pool, deck area, recreational space, and access to a side facing garage. You’ll want to first define the boundaries and dimensions required for the home followed by everything else that makes up your property. Take a good look at everything on the lot which adds to or detracts from the home, e.g. rocks, trees, water views, and more.
2. Check the Drainage — Water should drain away from your home and into tributaries that won’t impact other private property. You can save yourself from incurring a nasty lawsuit if you make sure that your neighbor’s property doesn’t receive your run off.
3. Easements and Setbacks — Do you know how far back your home must sit from the street? Is there an easement to a utility company on your property?
4. Additional Points to Consider — Prior to lot excavation, you will want to:
- Mark on the ground where underground utilities cross your property, if applicable.
- Plot where the house will set on your property taking into consideration setbacks and drainage.
- Tag trees and other greenery that you don’t want removed during the excavation and construction processes. After excavation has been completed, recheck everything to make sure that nothing was damaged.
- Be present when the lot is being cleared — you can head off trouble the moment it arises.
- Once lot excavation has been finished, walk the property to make sure that all tree stumps and debris have been removed.
Now that your lot is clear, laying a sure foundation is the next step in the home construction plan.
Get your construction spec plan (free download) and visit our search house plans site for helpful home construction planning tools and information.
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For Homeowners Thinking of Home Improvement
Get your outside deck and/or patio ready for the winter. Freezing temperatures and freezing rain and snow can cause havoc to wood and concrete. Get the information you need to protect the surface and keep your deck beautiful and ready for the Spring.
all about decks and patios | find a contractor
For First-Time Homeowners Ready to Buy
Understand location … location … location. Your home location in one the most important factors that protect your valued investment. See what matters.
about home location | search homes - foreclosures - fsbo
Lowering Monthly Housing Costs
Your housing costs are the most expensive part of your monthly budget. See our tips on reducing your costs
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Get Ready for Halloween
Halloween is this Wednesday. Start the holiday by reading this Halloween story. FREE download.
Halloween story
As this blog grows, we understand that it may be difficult to find everything that has been posted. That’s a shame because we believe every single post on SayEducate has something of value for you, the reader. Modest, aren’t we?
Although there are still a few days left in October 2007, the following are some of the articles for the month we think you’ll want to read:
Achieving Something Grand — This is an ongoing series of articles (a book, actually) that speaks to people who want big things out of life. We’ll be adding chapters on a regular basis for many months to come.
Assembling a Home Construction Specification Plan — One in a series, we’re taking a look at the entire home building process. 22 articles over the next several months will be included, tying in with our SayBuild website.
Federal Student Loan Aid Falls Short For Many American Families — This is a timely look at student loans, a topic high school seniors and their families should be paying especially close attention to now.
Buying A Home When The Mortgage Market Is A Mess — We got this blog started by covering the current mortgage crisis from the vantage point of the new home shopper. Instead of having you throw your hands up in despair, we offer tips to help you make your homeownership dream come true.
Thank you again for visiting SayEducate as your support is very much appreciated!
