The process of buying a home is a long road, faced with many questions to be answered; with one of the most important ones being, what land will you build on?
The first step would be to find out where there is available land, in the areas that appeal to you – and of course, at what price. Your options are a new estate, regional acreage, subdivided land, demolishing an existing dwelling, or finding land that has remained vacant.
Soil
Different blocks will have different soils – and sometimes, the biggest concerns lie within here. The composition of the soil can make a significant difference, in construction and maintenance costs; and is usually a huge indicator as to whether or not, you can build the home you desire . One of the important factors to examine is how reactive the soil is; meaning how likely it is to move and shift, in response to either decreased or increased, moisture. Ultimately, a more reactive soil is more costly, since special measures need to be taken, to keep the house stable.
You should also examine what the land was previously used for; to ensure that it is not loaded with poisonous pesticides. So how can one determine these factors? Request a geotechnical report on the plot.
Size, Shape and Orientation vs Home Design
If you’re building on a large plot in the country, you may not run into too many problems, regarding size restrictions. But if your plans are to live in urban or suburban areas, the width and depth of the plot will determine what you can build. You will need to check these measurements, to see if they match the dimensions of your home-to-be.
If the land is on a significant slope, the costs may rise. The house will either need to take into account the level of the slope or, the land will need to be cut and filled, to create a more leveled ground. Slopes can also limit your exposure to sunlight; which lowers your access to solar heat. Determine what slope angle is best (if any) to maximize your sunlight exposure.
Building Restrictions
Different councils have rules on what types of builds can exist, in a given community. There may be restrictions on style, colour, materials and even what fencing you may have. Call the council, to make sure you are aware of any rules that may inhibit, from building the home you wish for.
Lifestyle
Lastly, but definitely not least importantly, you must consider your desired lifestyle. Different locations lend themselves to different ways of living. You must consider the age of your neighbours, your privacy, space, surrounding nature, accessibility, schools and local offerings; such as groceries store, pubs and cafes.
There are many points to consider, when choosing your land – and this is why we recommend expert help, in doing so. Will the land allow for the planned structure of the rooms, the placement of windows and the location of your driveway? The one thing to keep in mind, is that you can alter a floor plan to the land you desire – but it is not always as easy, the other way around.
