Cost Associated with Country Home Building

[Macs]

I am in the process of buying land to build my dream home. I am currently looking at 3 diffrent parcels of land ( 5.5 ac, 7.15 ac, 10 ac). The plan is to build a 100'x150' shop and build a living quarters within. We were going to live in the shop while we get fencing, driveways, home etc all built. Anyway, i have been looking at the Metal Homes and will most likely go that route.

I have gotten estimates on everything of size but not sure on the utilities which could be a factor in which property i choose.

the 5.5 ac parcel has water, sewer, gas and power ran to the property. The other two parcels i will have to drill a well, install septic tank and get power ran to the property. My prior homes were in the city limits, so this was a non issue. Does anyone have expereince with this and kinda give me a rough estimate, suggestions,,,,,,, anything?

[HuffieVA]

Alot of the costs associated with setting up a property for building a home are area specific. Your best bet would be to check with the local code enforcement/permitting offices to see what is required (i.e. perk test etc.) you also want to make sure your are not limited to certain areas of the property due to misc. restrictions such as being part of a flood plain or watershed area. I know this wasn't much help budget wise but it can maybe get you headed in the right direction... Good Luck and keep in mind, that living in a place while your are working on it translates to about 1000% more work, We bought an older house on seven acres that had been rented for years about five years ago thinking it would be a quick fix that we could do ourselves... well I've been in construction the majority of my life but if you stick three teenage daughters in the house you ust don't get things done very quickly... In fact we'll likely not be finished untill they are out of school...

[Scootertrash]

I would call a local well company for an estimate on the drilling. They should have a good idea of what will be needed in your particular area.

The local power company or the city should be able to give you an estimate on running the underground power to your home, or suggest a local contractor who could give you an estimate. It's usually $$/per foot cost.

Same with the septic. The city should be able to give you the name of a local contractor they've dealt with and not had any trouble or problems with.

Get written estimates for your property, they can come in handy when dealing with the sellers of the property if you feel you need to haggle, and you will have actual estimates for that particular property rather than a large range of "ball park" numbers from us here. Unless of course there is a local contractor here who can help you out. ;)

[atctim]

For having your own septic system (and I am sure this varies state to state) you will first have to have a "perk" test performed. They take several soil samples, to see if the ground is able to leech water away efficiently, then most likely a sand mound septic system will be put into place. Where i am from, if you don't pass the perk test, it's a no-go for septic.

[Macs]

Good info guys... As you can tell i am kinda out of my league on this one.

I have called one company that does drilling, septic... the whole deal. But they want even get me an estimate until i own the property. Odd way of doing businuss but i can kind of understand, i guess.
I am thinking now though that i will need to get a perk test done before purchasing?

[Dirtcrasher]

You sure the town/city is gonna let you have a "certificate of occupancy" to live in the metal building? Heck I remember them not giving me one until the "future back deck" had a fence built against it (so you couldn't drop off 4') :D

[atc007]

Boils back to the basics,,Shop,shop,shop!! As said above ,Prices are Totally different area to area. An average well here is $40- $60 grand. A septic system? I would guess half of that, at least. And like Tim said,,if it won't perk,you can't do it. Living in the country is worth it. It's all I've ever known. But EVERYTHING costs more,the gas to get to town,the wear and tear on your vehicles,etc,,{dirt roads.} 150000 sq ft?? WOW.. My niece in Alaska was engaged to a guy with a gorgeous new shop,,with an upstairs apartment in the works where they were to live. She left him.. Good luck !

[atc200xkid]

just please remember that if you build in the country there might be a farm around and it might smell somedays! im a farmer and i HATE when city people move out by me and hen trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro that" it stinks" " iwanna smell fresh air". most farmers are easy going but there are a couple a holes out there. please do a little checking into that first!

[brapp]

as far as spetic systems go it all depends on hwo a perc rates go, if you can get a Typical sand mound system look about the 10-15k range depending in size and design of the tanks and sand bed.

and as far as well goes your lookign at in the area of 27 dolars a ft for drilling and plus 11 dolars a food for casing till it hits bedrock. the typical well around here will range from 1600-3800 from start to finish. if you need any details just jet me know as its what i do for a living.

[Macs]

thanks Brapp, That is great information! Kinda gives me an idea for each situation. I may take you up on your offer once i get further down the road.

The 5 ac. tract is in a small town called Stagecoach. We really love that town but they are strict as far as what i can do..... they tell me what i can clear, cant live in the shop, can live in a RV etc etc.

the other two tracts are unrestricted and i can pretty much do what i want. So they are extremly appealing!

One of the reasons we are buying land is for my wife and kids horses, longhorns etc etc. I am not into that stuff, but i am going to get me a pet goat.... anyway, i am use to the smell. My wife loves the smell ( There is something wrong with her).

[atctim]

As Dirtcrasher mentioned, the "Certificate of Occupancy". I swear this is just another money making scam. When I put in my house, we had to have that before we could "legally" move in. So I was forced into having my front deck put on, had I had more time I would have done it so much differently, but i was rushed!!!!! They want to protect you from yourself - I mean seriously, you live there, I think you would know if you don't have a front porch. Home builders, / building material retailers had to have their hand in the pockets of the legislatures to get this thru. When building a house, for most people, you get it to where it is livable, then over the years, finish it off as you can. But no, the law wants it all done NOW - or you can't live there. Like I wouldn't know well enough not to use my front door when there is a 6 foot drop to the ground. (sorry for the rant BTW, but if you build - you'll be wanting to rant during the process as well - lol)

[Macs]

We are really looking into the Steel Homes but havnt found anyone that has one yet. Kinda wandering if they are worth a damn or not.

here is the one my wife likes, but i am not that fond of it.

http://www.kodiaksteelhomes.com/series/6

[200x350xtriz250]

Our well was about $4000 5 years ago. Personally, I would love to have city/ county water, yes you have a bill but you never have to think, during a drought or any other time, that you may run out of water. Right now I have 2 whole house water filters on the main line that need changed every month and still there are stains in the sink, tub, washer, etc....I'd trade all that for a bill every month and little to no worries. I do understand not every area has the same water issuses, just food for thought.