What did the builder say they would provide? If it's got an approved septic field on file with the county, and utilities are already there, I'm not sure what else he'd give you that would matter? I mean, the land itself is a factor - is it flat, wooded, etc?

You may want to find out more details about the zoning. I doubt you would have problems with a lot of that size, but there could be all sorts of rules if located within city limits. For instance, they may limit the size and/or height of the building. There may be building setbacks from the property line. They may also have rules about removing trees over a certain size. Drainage can be an issue. Some cities have special permit conditions (soil analysis) or building requirements (sprinklers, energy efficiency rating). There could be a city architectural review committee. Finally, I would get a true estimate for the cost of reestablishing the utilities on your lot.

Make absolutely sure you have adequate water and sewage.

Buying land 'subject to' passing a PERK test is NOT uncommon (and occasionally they failures to pass PERK occur) in areas that still use/allow septic fields.

The rules get updated, so an older test MAY be no good.

Thanks for your responses. Some answers to your questions: The property is not within city limits. There are no trees except for a row of young ornamental birch trees that were planted the entire length of the driveway/property and across the front of the property.

The builder will do the feasibility study to determine the cost for the following: Septic, driveway, permits, grading and getting the property foundation-ready, costs to get power and other utilities to the house. If we build with them, there's no charge. If we end up building with someone else, they charge $1000, just so they don't do all the work for nothing and then people walk away. If the property is not feasible or suitable to us to build, they will do subsequent feasibility studies (within reason) on other properties.

Things you want to consider:

Zoning: Is it zoned residential? what are the areas around you zoned ? single family ? mulitfamily etc. If undeveloped; could they build apartments/ commercial buildings next door ?

Setbacks: side, front and rear .

Easments: Utility,flood plains etc.

Soils test: Is the property suitable to build on ? Also drainage.

Is it approved for septic: Health Dept can answer that for you.

Utilities available to site: Fees to access them( building dept)

Zoning/ Building fees: Check with local building /zoning dept.

Design restrictions: subdivision? Locality, previous owner put any restrictions on size or building style or materials ?

Access to emergency services...ie police and fire

Do you get good solar orientation if that makes a difference to you.

Setbacks may require longer drives and utility runs

How does site relate to other roads and traffic? Will headlights from cars on perpendicular roads be shining in your home qall the time ? If so look at design to restrict this.

School District,

Cbarkson

Oh my goodness, Lita, this was four years ago and looking back now from the other side of things is SOOOO interesting! It's a little bit of a long story now, but to make it short, my husband started by going to the county first. The county had so many restrictions on the property as to where the house could be sited---I can't remember all of the details, but there had been a creek on the property that was now covered up by a driveway and a culvert or swale so it was now considered a wetland, etc. It took that one quick search at the county to realize that we didn't want the builder to do a feasibility study on that property. We ended up walking away and feeling like we would never find "our" property. That lot was probably the 10th one we'd looked at and we'd made offers on about 6 (including that one). None of them panned out for whatever reason. End of the story is that we did find our dream property one year (!) later and knew it immediately when we saw it. We did the same thing---checked with the county first, found nothing problematic, and then we were eager to have the builder do the feasibility study---the land was so pretty! We broke ground on our dream home one year after walking away from the other property (3 years ago now). And that other property?? Someone else bought it shortly after we walked away---but they have yet to build on it four years later. We wonder if they bought it WITHOUT having done their homework and a feasibility study and are stuck now with a piece of property with severe limitations for house siting. I say, if you love the property, do some preliminary checking first with the county or city and if you find nothing problematic, then proceed with the builder's feasibility. It will be worth it in the end. Good luck! We loved the building process and are happy as clams in our new home----NOT on that piece of property!

Thank you!

hello cbarkson,

Very good info. Can you tell me what department of "the town" you went to, to find out the restrictions on where the house could be built on the property.

Hi there db db:

I'm happy that my post back 4 years ago is still of interest and can help. In our county, it was called the Land Use and Planning Department. Just call your county and explain to them what you need and they'll direct you to the appropriate department that will be able to help you. In our case, we had to make an appointment with a county building planner. He looked the particular property up, and guided us through all the specific regulations that applied to that particular piece of property. Sounded not very feasible! Glad we didn't pay for the feasibility study that time (Still hasn't been built on!!). So I think it's a good idea to at least do your own preliminary investigation before you pay a builder to do a thorough one because there might be an obvious problem right away that you can discover on your own Best of luck to you! We really love the journey involved in building our home.

Thanks again for your help CB!

Hi what builder are you using?

This is an eleven/seven year old post.

Awaiting edit to the post