Prepare Land for Building

You did it! You’re now a proud land-owner. That’s huge. But there’s still some work left to do before you will be living in your dream home on your dream land. And now that you have your land, it’s time to get ready for building!

Home Type and the Clearing Processes

The complexity and scale of your land preparations will depend mainly on what kind of house you’re looking to build. Earlier in this series, we shared an article about deciding on a home type even before you purchase your land. Now is when you’ll really start solidifying that notion and making concrete decisions about the home and its position on the land. 

So if you’re looking to build a tiny home or install a modular home, you won’t need as much work done as if you were installing a more traditional single-family home. Although you will still need to tackle many of the things on this list. So, let’s get right into it!

Ensure It’s Safe to Dig

Before you start clearing an area on your new property, it’s good to know what’s underground. If you’ve done your due diligence, you should know the utility situation and whether or not there’s anything running under the property. 

That said, it’s always good to make sure by calling 811 or heading over to call811.com for information on your land. This is a free national service that will help you determine where it’s safe to dig on your property.

You’ll also want to get the proper permits before clearing the land begins. If you hire a professional contractor, they’ll generally handle the permits for you, but it’s good to involve yourself in the process to make sure everything goes smoothly.   

Logistics and Clearing the Area

To build a structure of any kind on your new land, you’ll need to clear the area first. This means moving trees, rocks, bushes, and any other obstructions. If you’re going to be installing a tiny home, you may be able to do this yourself, depending on the land. But for a home or cabin build, you’ll probably want to hire a local excavation crew who will use heavy machinery to get the job done. 

Before you start the process, it’s important that you’re clear on which way your home will face, what the finished landscaping will look like, and whether you will be putting up any other structures. Knowing this ahead of time will ensure that you only have to move excavated material like rocks and trees once. 

It will also help you decide if you want to keep this moved material on your property for landscaping, firewood, or other uses. Otherwise, it will likely need to be hauled off. Also, don’t forget to think about logistics here. Have an idea of where you’ll be storing the excavated dirt, whether heavy machinery can easily get onto the property, and where workers will park their vehicles during the build.   

Consider things like sun or wind exposure and the kind of view you want. Also, if your new home will have a basement, the excavators will need to dig deeper to create room for the basement. 

Plan for Erosion

Bigger builds that require significant excavation can create erosion, which you’ll want to prevent by installing a mesh fence along the contour lines of the property. This is important for preventing contamination of any nearby waterways and for maintaining the integrity of the area throughout the building process. 

Temporary Power and Water

You’ll generally want to have access to both power and water during the building process. This may be simple if you already have utility access, or more involved if you don’t. Either way, a complex build will require one or both. 

Grading and Excavation

The next step in preparing your land for building is grading and excavation. Often called “rough grading,” this is the process of laying the groundwork for things like a driveway, utility placement, and grid access. This is usually done in tandem with excavation because the dirt removed for the foundation can then be used in rough grading. It’s also essential to create a gentle slope away from where the house will go, so rain flows away from the foundation instead of toward it. 

Once the home is built, there will be another round of grading, called “finish grading.” This step lays the groundwork for that later on. This also helps prevent erosion on the job site during the build. 

Involve Professionals When Needed

If your plan is to have a tiny home or modular home on the property, you may be able to do much of the preparation process yourself. However, you’ll want to use professionals if you need to install utilities, dig a well, or install a septic tank. 

For building larger structures or homes with more complex designs, you’ll probably want to involve a builder in the whole process, from clearing the land all the way to putting the finishing touches on the house. Really, it depends on what your vision is for the finished product. 

Hiring professionals is more expensive than doing things yourself, but it’s also a way to avoid pricey setbacks and unforeseen problems that often crop up during a DIY home build. Your level of construction experience is important here, as well. 

In our next article in this series, we’ll discuss the process of hiring a general contractor. This will include making sure you get a professional, trustworthy, and experienced one that fits your needs.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to think about during the land preparation process. From getting proper permits and setting up temporary power, to preventing erosion and planning for the build itself, it can be a lot of work. But it’s also a very exciting time, as you break ground on your new property, seeing your dream become a reality! 

This is what we’re all about at Land Elevated! So whether you already own your property or you’re looking for your dream land, we’re here to help any way we can. Contact one of our Land Specialists today with any questions about the buying and building process.

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