How to Build on Raw Land
Building on raw land requires extra consideration. You must consider the legal access to the property--that is, a road you can legally use on a regular basis. You must see that there are no easements on the property that may limit where you can build. You must make sure you can get permits that allow the kind of construction you intend to build. You will need power for your home, water or the ability to drill a well, the ability to dispose of liquid waste, and the knowledge of how you can dispose of solid waste. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a home plan that is suitable for your site. Raw land does not have electricity at the site, so you will have to pay someone to bring it in, or choose a self-sustaining solar-type home to provide your own electricity. This must be decided at the time of construction. Retrofitting for solar is more difficult and expensive.
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Submit plans to local governing body for permits. This may take some time and may require revision of plans to comply with local codes
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Have an electrical line brought in, or order your solar power equipment.
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Have the foundation laid out and poured.
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Have the septic tank field placed and dug.
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Build the frame of the house.
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Construct roofing frames. Lay the roof. Position the solar panels, if chosen.
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Hammer in exterior and interior walls. Hang windows and doors.
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Put in plumbing.
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Put up exterior siding.
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Put up gutters. Connect to water-collecting cistern, if desired.
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Finish home interior with flooring, cabinets, and lighting fixtures.
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Tips & Warnings
Building on raw land requires that you plan much more carefully for the construction of your home. You will have to coordinate the activities of the many subcontractors needed, from well-diggers, to roofers, to electricians to plumbers. One of the most important parts of the task will be to find reputable contractors who do good work with good materials. If you plan to do some of the work yourself, you will also have to coordinate your own activities with all these contractors. Though you can save money by doing some of the work yourself, you must have the time available to do the work in concert with other functions of the construction or the process will be delayed.
Do your soil testing and perc tests before you purchase the land to make sure the site is suitable for building.
