10 Questions to Ask When Buying a Lot To Build On

When you are having a home built, there are many decisions to be made. One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is which lot to build on. This decision, however, isn’t always as simple as it sounds. What seems like the ideal lot may have some barriers as far as building your dream home is concerned. Therefore, before you purchase a lot to build on, you’ll want to get some key information first.

Here are 10 questions to ask before buying your lot:

1. Is the lot buildable?

Perhaps most importantly, you will want to know whether the lot is buildable. In some cases, bylaws and/or physical attributes may make building your new home on it difficult to impossible.

2. What are the setback requirements for buildings, porches, outbuildings, etc.?

It’s important to remember that you will not be allowed to build right up to the edge of your lot. Each municipality has setback requirements, and these can vary depending on where you are located within the municipality. When purchasing a lot to build on, it’s important to remember to leave enough room for any porches, decks or outbuildings that you wish to have.

3. Are there any restrictions on the house size for this lot?

Again, depending on where you locate, there may be size restrictions on height and lot coverage of your home. To make sure that your lot is suitable for the home you want, you need to know about these restrictions.

4. Are there any environmental considerations for the area?

If the lot is located on or near an environmentally sensitive area, it could mean restrictions on what you can build or at least add to the costs of building. You should also know whether you are located on a flood plain or whether there is a slope that could affect the cost of building.

5. Does the area have access to hydro and gas connections?

It’s best to build in areas that already have hydro and gas connections. If connections need to be added, it is important to know how much of your budget it will take to install them.

6. Does the site have provisions for water and sewage?

Like utility connections, you will also want to ask if there are water and sewage connections to the property. If water is unavailable, you will want to know whether well water and a septic bed are possible.

7. Will it be possible to get Internet connections?

Unless you are building a cottage where you truly want to get “off-grid”, you will likely want to have telecom connections. Before purchasing your lot, find out whether you’ll be able to have Internet access on the property.

8. Is there snow removal on the road in the winter?

Especially if you wish to build in a more rural or remote area, it is a good idea to find out whether the roads are publicly maintained (repair, snow removal, etc.)

9. What other kind of construction might there be in the area in the future?

Just because an area is peaceful and serene now doesn’t mean that it will always be. If one of your goals for building is to have a quiet retreat, one question you should ask concerns the type of construction that may be in the area in the future. You may be ok with having a few extra cottages in the area, but would you be ok with an industrial complex being built nearby?

10. If problems are found with the land after purchase, how will they be resolved?

Finally. If you have asked all of the previous questions and think that you have found the perfect lot, you still might want to prepare for the unexpected. In other words, if there are problems discovered after the fact, who’s responsibility will they be and what will it cost to resolve any issues?

For more tips or help in choosing the right lot for your Quality Home, contact our team!

CONTACT US:

Send us a message online: click here
Give us a call: 1-800-265-2648
Send us an email: info@qualityhomes.ca