subject: Buying Your Perfect Lot To Build A Custom Home [print this page] When buyers look to purchase a lot to build their custom home in Houston, they typically consider location, beauty, school district, and general aesthetics. However, what most buyers dont understand is that its just as important to know the building requirements of land and/or lots as well. In order to understand these better, a custom home builder is a necessity when trying to ascertain these requirements. While there are certainly many items to consider the following three are critically important:
1.Trees People love trees. However, the location of trees on the lot is critically important. If trees are location within the footprint of the home, they will just have to be removed prior to construction. Removing trees, pulling stumps and then removing the waste from the lot can incur substantial costs and greatly diminish the beauty of the lot as in some instances all of a significant portion of the trees must be removed. Other lots may have trees that need to be protected prior to and during construction to prevent poisoning of the tree from leaching concrete and other construction debris and waste.
2.Elevations and the Need for Fill Dirt Some lots are low and require substantial fill dirt to make the lot buildable. Other lots may have bellys or low spots that need fill and compaction. Other lots may slope from back to front or front to back and require substantial dozer work and or fill dirt to smooth the lot or the foot print of the home. Further, some lots may have slope to the extent tiering may be necessary to avoid substantial fill and/or dirt removal. Cutting tiers in lots requires expert dozer and tractor work and quite often can require engineering. Other lots may require the removal of earth in order to be buildable.
3.Drainage Water, water everywhere and nowhere for it go! Contemplating water runoff and proper drainage is a very serious consideration for any lot. In most instances a drainage plan should be developed very early on in the process. Quite often work needs to be done on a lot prior to any construction. This is called shaping the lot. By removing trees and earth that hinder drainage prior to construction, a lot will properly drain. Proper drainage improves the ability to landscape, decreases pests such as mosquitos and create a more livable and usable lot.
An experienced custom home builder can provide the expertise and insight to assist in the purchase of a lot. Some lots have none, some or all of the above issues. Whichever is the case, tree removal, dirt work, drainage require planning, time, and in many instances engineering. These items are quite often very expensive. Before purchasing a lot, buyers should under the expense involved in these items prior to purchasing the lot. At Campbell Garrett Distinctive Homes and Estates, LP, we offer full service custom home building to include lot and land acquisition, plan design, interior design, superior craftsmanship and warranty and service after the sale.
