Yesterday we went under contract on a wooded lot that is just a tad under 4 acres. We've been wanting to do this and build our own home for years and it looks like it is finally going to be a reality. We won't be ready to start the building process for probably 6-12 months, but we want to start planning and preparing the land for when it's time to start building.
For those who have done this, is there any advice you can give when it comes to clearing, getting perk tests done and wells drilled, etc? This is all new to us and we haven't started contacting builders yet because we have some other things that need to be handled before we're ready for starting the building process. We're thinking of only clearing about an acre or so in order to preserve a lot of the woods and keep buffers on all sides from neighbors and potential building. Not sure yet where on the lot we'll want the home site to be. The lot is mostly flat so by my untrained eye, I don't think a lot of grading will be required.
It's a rather triangular-shaped lot that is entirely wooded, I believe mostly pines but might be some cedars too. Not sure yet. Generally speaking, would logging companies have an interest in clearing out trees so that they can sell the wood or do they need many acres before they're interested?
There are no known utilities other than one electrical box by the road right in the middle of the frontage.I don't believe there is natural gas so we'll either be reliant on everything being electric or possibly have propane (girlfriend really prefers cooking with gas vs electric). Any pros/cons when it comes to propane we should factor in?
When it comes to a driveway, we'd prefer to do concrete but that might be too expensive. I hate the idea of gravel so was wondering if asphalt is a good compromise between the two?
For those who have done this, is there any advice you can give when it comes to clearing, getting perk tests done and wells drilled, etc? This is all new to us and we haven't started contacting builders yet because we have some other things that need to be handled before we're ready for starting the building process. We're thinking of only clearing about an acre or so in order to preserve a lot of the woods and keep buffers on all sides from neighbors and potential building. Not sure yet where on the lot we'll want the home site to be. The lot is mostly flat so by my untrained eye, I don't think a lot of grading will be required.
It's a rather triangular-shaped lot that is entirely wooded, I believe mostly pines but might be some cedars too. Not sure yet. Generally speaking, would logging companies have an interest in clearing out trees so that they can sell the wood or do they need many acres before they're interested?
There are no known utilities other than one electrical box by the road right in the middle of the frontage.I don't believe there is natural gas so we'll either be reliant on everything being electric or possibly have propane (girlfriend really prefers cooking with gas vs electric). Any pros/cons when it comes to propane we should factor in?
When it comes to a driveway, we'd prefer to do concrete but that might be too expensive. I hate the idea of gravel so was wondering if asphalt is a good compromise between the two?