Preparing Your Lot for a Custom Build: What You Need To Know

Custom projects are the perfect way to get precisely what you want rather than bits and pieces. Your home is a considerable investment, and, as such, you want it to be exactly the way you envision it. A custom build gives you total control over every aspect of your home, from the layout and design to the materials used. However, a lot of work goes into making the property move-in ready.

Every custom house starts with a dream and an open plot of land. Below is what you need to know about planning your lot for a custom house.

Evaluate the Plot

Rather than working with real estate agents to tour homes, you’ll have to view available properties within the city or town you want to build. Some might be undeveloped, while others are empty lots in new subdivisions.

As you assess each plot, review information on its size, topography, and relevant features. If there are steep slopes or rocky terrain, buildings could be more difficult. Also, consider the location of utilities such as water and electricity—if it’s on an acreage, you may have to pay to extend these services onto your property.

Additionally, compare your vision of your dream home with the plot’s potential. If there’s a steep slope, the custom builder may excavate and level the land or alter the building to work with it. Adding stilts to the house to the lower end of the house can also level the property.

Understand Zoning Laws and Regulations

Zoning regulations and building codes dictate the permissible uses of your land, and this differs from one location to another. Contact city officials to inquire what they allow and what they don’t. When doing this, determine what type of permits and legal paperwork you need to build on the lot. Confirming this information early on ensures you comply with all laws and can avoid fines or building delays.

Keep all legal paperwork organized in a folder or binder so you can access it as needed throughout the preparation and building process. It’s also a good idea to consult a lawyer or real estate professional who can guide you through the legal aspects of building on your land.

Draft Building Designs

As exciting as the building process is, the architect has to create drafts of the property before the building team works on the land. Constructing a home is a complex process, and architects have to know what you want so the construction team builds accordingly. Likewise, this helps the custom home building team know whether they have to alter the land and how.

When working with the architect, discuss how much of the lot you want to use for building and how much you want to preserve for landscaping. Additionally, consider how you want to position the property on the plot. If you can see the mountains from the property, decide if you wish to see that view from a specific area, such as your bedroom or living space.

Order a Land Survey

Once you’ve worked out all of the details, you can officially prepare the land for building. Your custom builder should survey the plot to understand the property lines, topography, and any potential issues that may arise during construction.

Surveying the land ensures you build your home on the correct plot and avoid encroachments or boundary disputes with neighboring properties. It also allows for accurate placement of the house, driveway, septic system, and other features, along with ensuring the home works with the natural lay of the land.

Conduct Soil Testing

Most experts advise doing a soil test since the foundation is a critical component of your home. The test helps you understand how stable the ground is before building on it. To test the soil, a professional will gather samples from different parts of your lot and analyze them for density, compaction, moisture content, and load-bearing capacity. This information lets you choose your home’s appropriate foundation type and construction method.

Knowing the type of soil that you build on is vital, as some, such as expansive clay, are unstable and increase the risk of soil erosion or shifting. This can weaken the foundation and lead to costly repairs down the line.

Set Up Drainage and Erosion Controls

The next thing you need to know about preparing your lot for custom builds is that the team will have to set up drainage solutions. Depending on the location and topography of the site, you may need to implement measures to control erosion and manage water drainage. This is especially important for sloped sites where heavy rainfall can cause soil erosion and weaken the stability of your home’s foundation.

Some effective methods for managing drainage solutions include the following:

• Grading the lot involves shaping the land to create a slope that safely directs water away from your home. It can also prevent water from accumulating near your foundation.

• Gutters and downspouts are essential for directing rainwater from your roof away from the foundation of your house.

• Swales and ditches can divert water away from vulnerable areas of your lot, such as low-lying areas or steep slopes.

• If your lot slopes, installing retaining walls can stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

Your custom builder can help you choose the ideal drainage option based on your lot’s natural water flow and local regulations.

Clear and Level the Land

When you purchase a plot, it may not be perfectly flat and free of natural greenery and rocks. Clearing and levelling the land prepares your lot for construction by creating a stable and accessible surface.

Generally, the building team will use an excavator to remove trees, bushes, and rocks. For larger trees, an arborist is usually required to safely bring down the trees that are too large for the excavator to remove. They may also use excavators to dig trenches for utilities. Once the team clears the land, they can begin grading and compacting the soil to create a level surface.

Prepare and Pour the Foundation

Once the land is level and the builders ensure access to roadways, utilities, and drainage systems, it’s time to pour the foundation. Builders in the area usually use insulated concrete forms (ICF), but some may use conventionally formed concrete walls or even prefab concrete walls.

Keep in mind that outside factors can impact the foundation when you pour, such as weather conditions and the availability of materials. If it’s too cold or rainy, the concrete may not set correctly, which could lead to future problems.

Plan Utility Connections

The team will also have to plan all utility connections, especially those that may go underground, such as water, gas, septic/sewer, and electric lines. First, the custom builders must obtain permits from the municipality for any necessary connections. They will also need to work closely with utility providers to ensure all connections are in the correct locations and meet necessary safety standards.

Work With Reliable Builders

Münter Design & Build creates beautiful custom homes in the East Kootenays and surrounding areas, including Kimberley, Fernie, and Cranbrook, working closely with clients to bring their dream homes to life. During projects, we maintain consistent communication with clients so that they know what to expect for each step. Contact our award-winning team today to build a home that reflects your unique style and exceeds your expectations.