Getting the Job Done with Construction Contractors

Getting the Job Done with Construction Contractors

2 Steps to Take Before Buying a Plot of Land for Your Construction Project

by Audrey Ramos

One of the most important steps in the process of building a house is selecting the plot of land on which it will be built. This decision will have a major impact on the success of the project. Here are two things you should do before making your choice.

Perform an analysis of the site

If you've found a plot which you believe might be suitable for your construction project, it's crucial to have the site analysed before you purchase it. A site analysis service will, as its name suggests, include a thorough inspection of virtually every aspect of the plot, from its physical features (such as its soil type, slope and drainage conditions) and legal boundaries, to the position of its sewage, electricity, gas and water lines. These factors will all play a determining role in the position, design and aspect of the property you will be building on the land.

Most companies that offer site analysis services will also identify a plot's special characteristics (such as whether or not it is prone to flooding or erosion, for example), will check if there are any issues with access or rights-of-way and will make note of any nearby infrastructure which could affect the value of a property built on the land. They will also make note of the type and quantity of shrubs, plants and trees on the land (this is important, as there may be restrictions regarding the removal of certain vegetation if it is rare or endangered).

Having this information at your disposal will make it far easier to determine if the plot is appropriate for your needs and thus will help to prevent you from making a bad investment.

Consider the amount of land clearing required

Most plots of land that have been left vacant for a few months or years will have grass, tree and shrub overgrowth that will need to be cleared away before building can begin. If the plot you are considering purchasing is extremely overgrown, then it's important to think carefully about whether not you are willing to invest your time and money into what will be a lengthy and expensive land-clearing project.

To remove a substantial amount of trees and vegetation usually requires the use of multiple pieces of heavy construction equipment (including bulldozers and excavators). In addition to covering the cost of renting this equipment, you'll also need to hire trained operators to use this machinery on the land, and will need to arrange and pay for the disposal of the cleared vegetation. This could end up costing you thousands of dollars. As such, if your budget is tight, it's important to think very carefully about whether or not it is really worth purchasing an extremely overgrown plot of land.


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About Me

Getting the Job Done with Construction Contractors

Hello, my name is Carl and this is my construction and contractor blog. I do not work in the construction business but last year, my wife and I had a lot of work carried out on our summer home which is located on the Gold Coast. Winter storms had damaged the roof and a couple of seabirds had made a nest in there. The place was a real mess but thankfully the contractors did a great job of repairing the roof and fixing up the damage to the loft space. I learn a lot during the repairs so I decided to start a new blog. Enjoy!