What is the Best Way to Plan Your Home Building Site?
When planning to build a home, selecting the right lot is a critical first step that involves more than just appreciating the view. It is essential to visit potential sites with both your builder and architect to assess the amount of site preparation needed. While some lots may be straightforward and easy to build on, others, despite their stunning vistas, might require extensive site and foundation work.
Challenges to Buying a Lot
Before you commit to purchasing a lot, it’s crucial to understand the specific challenges it may present. This includes the type of driveway required and compliance with local regulations, such as those governing escarpments, historic districts, and ridge top construction. Santa Fe, for example, has complex rules that vary significantly between hilltop and flat building sites.
Pro Tips to Buying a Lot
Discussing these details with your builder and architect during the lot selection process is advisable. They can offer insights that might not be apparent from the real estate listing or from a realtor’s description. For example, they can provide valuable information on soil conditions, such as clay or sandy soil, and local construction regulations that could impact the design and feasibility of your project.
This proactive approach ensures that you are fully informed about the potential complexities of a site before making a purchase, avoiding costly surprises and redesigns later in the process. In essence, walking the lot with knowledgeable professionals is not just beneficial but necessary for making an educated decision about where to build your home.
The Importance of Soil Testing When Building a Home
When planning to build a home on challenging terrain, such as a hilly property, there are numerous considerations that must be addressed before construction can even begin. One critical aspect is soil testing, which is essential for determining the suitability of the land for building. However, accessing a site for soil testing can itself be a challenge on properties with steep or irregular topography.
In many cases, a basic access route, such as a rough driveway, is necessary just to bring in the equipment required for soil testing. This initial step can reveal the need for specialized foundation solutions, such as micro piles, which are deep foundation elements used to stabilize soil and support structures in difficult ground conditions.
Moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico From Outside of the State
The complexity and potential costs associated with building on such sites can be daunting, especially for those accustomed to the more straightforward conditions of flat suburban areas. For example, homeowners from regions like Ohio, Illinois, or Massachusetts might not anticipate the need for such extensive and expensive groundwork.
The story of a couple who purchased a lot near the foothills of Santa Fe illustrates the shock and financial burden that can result from unforeseen site challenges. After buying the property, they discovered that the soil required half a million dollars worth of micro piles to make it suitable for construction—a situation that understandably overwhelmed them.
Conclusion
This scenario underscores the importance of thorough site evaluation and expert consultation. Prospective homeowners should engage with knowledgeable architects and builders early in the process. These professionals can provide valuable insights into what might be required for a specific property, helping to avoid costly surprises after purchase. Understanding the full scope of potential issues and incorporating them into the project’s budget from the outset is crucial for a successful and stress-free home building experience.