The process of buying and building on land can be complicated for those who are new to building custom homes. Although it may seem simple to purchase land and build a home, there are many steps to take to ensure that everything is completed successfully. For those who are working with professional builders, there are many frequently asked questions.

What are Tap Fees and How Much Do They Cost?

Tap fees are charged by utility providers for tapping into their system to gain access to electricity, water, and sewer systems. Fees vary depending on the exact location of the building and can be more expensive than most people expect to pay during the construction process. It’s important to budget $12,000 to $20,000 for tap fees to ensure that you can afford the expense.

Should I Buy Land Before Hiring a Builder?

Many people are unsure of if they should contact a professional builder like Alair Homes Rosedale Toronto before purchasing land. Most builders recommend purchasing the land first so they can determine the style and design of the home that should be built, which should complement the surrounding landscape. Contractors often don’t know what type of building they’ll be constructing because they need to know the building conditions.

Many builders can also work with your lending partner to bundle the loan of the land and the construction loan together for an easier process.

How Do I Know What Type of Land to Buy?

One of the most important parts of buying land is to look at the location, which determines how comfortable you’ll feel living on the property long-term. Look at nearby school districts if you have children or are planning on growing your family. It’s also important to determine if there’s a nearby train that passes by throughout the day or how much time you’ll be spending on the road commuting to work from the property.

You’ll also need to determine how you’ll have access to certain utilities. You may need to get your water from a nearby well or learn how you can take care of waste. Depending on the location, you can also have natural resources rights with water, minerals, timber, and access rights to certain areas. Don’t forget about zoning and restrictions that are in place. You may not be capable of adding more than one building to the property or you may need to run the design of your home by an Architectural Control Committee that is present in the area.

What Does it Mean if I’ve Been Told My Land Has Bad Soil?

Many different types of land have bad soil, which means that there’s a poor quality of soil on the land. The soil can become prone to expanding if it becomes wet, which can make it difficult to build on the property. Clay and silts are two common clay molecules that are small in size and can draw in moisture at a rapid rate. Many different locations have expanding soils depending on the geology of the region, which should be tested before it’s time to build a home. If the home has already been built after discovering that there’s bad soil, it’s important to limit or eliminate the amount of soil that is present near your foundation.