Site development is the crucial initial phase of preparing a piece of land for the construction of a custom home. It involves a series of processes that transform raw land into a buildable site that meets the specific needs of the home building project. Site development is the phase that lays the groundwork, literally and figuratively, for the entire construction process.
From surveying the land to testing the soil and clearing trees to grading, here we will cover all aspects of site development so you know what to expect when you start your custom home build project.
What is site development?
In any construction context, site development is everything that needs to be done to prepare a plot of land for development. Site development for a new home build is different from site development for a commercial building or a subdivision, so when we talk about site development here, we’re talking about everything done to prepare your land for the construction of a custom home.
Site Development When Building A Home On Your Land
What Does Site Development Entail?
Site development is a complex undertaking that typically involves the following key steps:
1. Site Assessment and Planning
- Surveying
Professional land surveyors measure the property’s boundaries, topography, and existing features (trees, utilities, etc.). This is essential for accurate design and permitting. The property survey ensures placement of your home meets any setback requirements. This step will also include property markers so that you know exactly where your lot starts and ends.
If you’ve recently purchased your property, your land may have been surveyed as part of the sale and purchase of the lot, so this piece may already be taken care of for you. If not, you’ll want to get this done early in the home building process, so that you have all the information you need to accurately design and plan for your custom home.
With a site survey, you’ll:
- Know if your home’s footprint needs to be within a certain size to meet local requirements
- Understand any restrictions on the placement of your home on the land
- Plan for additional site development requirements
- Avoid costly mistakes
- Recognize and understand any applicable easements
A site survey will also alert you to any encroachment on your property. In the past, we’ve worked on a project where a site survey determined one of the neighbors’s fences was actually built well beyond their property boundary. Because this was determined early on during site development, it was able to be addressed before home construction began. This was a costly mistake for the neighbor though, who had to pay to move their fence line back within the bounds of their property.
- Geotechnical Investigation
Soil engineers analyze the soil composition, bearing capacity, and groundwater levels to determine the appropriate foundation design and identify any potential issues (like unstable soil or high water tables).
In our area of southwestern Idaho, there are many areas that are within a floodplain. You’ll likely already know this about your property if you’ve followed our guide to buying land to build on. However, if you don’t know this already, you can use the FEMA floodplain risk map to determine if your property is in a potential flood zone.
If it is, you’ll likely need additional site preparation to meet local requirements for building in a floodplain. This could entail things like bringing in dirt to build a higher building pad so that your home sits on higher ground.
- Environmental Assessments
Depending on local regulations and the site’s history, environmental studies may be required to identify potential hazards (like contaminated soil) or protected species that need to be considered.
You may already have the environmental assessment information when you purchase your land; however, if it has been some time since an assessment has been done, it’s a good idea to consider an updated assessment as part of your site development work. Environmental regulations can change. With an updated assessment you’ll know if anything has changed that you’ll need to plan for during your build.
- Utility Planning
Determining the availability and location of essential utilities (water, sewer, electricity, gas, internet) and planning for their connection to the home.
Knowing where your utility connections will be and how this relates to where your house will be located on the property is an often overlooked part of site development.
If utility connections need to be moved or expanded to reach the location of your home on your land, this can add time and expense. For example, if you need the utility company to move the power box, this can take weeks, maybe months, to be scheduled. If your connection is farther away, you may need additional trenching for utility which can add to the overall cost to build a custom home.
- Permitting and Approvals
Obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from local municipalities for grading, drainage, utilities, and other aspects of site development. This process can be complex and time-consuming and should be taken care of early on in the project.
To help with the permitting process, we’ve covered the Canyon County pre-permitting process in detail. The process is similar for many other counties in southwestern Idaho, so this list should help no matter where in the area you are building.
One particular permit that can take exceptionally long to get, is your septic permit. Depending on the water level of your property, there are some municipalities in the area that require monitoring of water levels for up to a year before you can install your septic system.
Knowing what you need and following a pre permitting checklist will help you better plan your home build. If you know what you need to do to get your permits and how long that might take, you can better plan your build timeline so that it is most cost efficient and avoid any hidden costs of building a custom home.
- Access
Determining the best location for a driveway and ensuring there’s adequate access for construction vehicles.
Road access is one of the most essential items during your home build. Unfortunately, it tends to be an overlooked and undervalued part of site development. During your build, there will be heavy construction equipment, think cement trucks, and vehicles carrying the trusses for your home.
These materials and equipment are above and beyond the weight of everyday vehicles and even recreational vehicles, so the requirements for access are different. Be sure to plan for this. When you don’t plan for this it can cause construction delays and ultimately delay the completion of your new home. Even though adequate road access for construction vehicles can cost more upfront, having this in place can help you save money building a custom home in the long run.
Don’t forget, in some cases, you may also need highway district approval for your access road. Be sure to check with your local municipality.
2. Site Clearing and Preparation
- Tree and Vegetation Removal: Clearing the building area and any required access roads, removing trees, stumps, brush, and other vegetation. This may require specialized equipment and permits. Removing trees and vegetation is typically one of the easier components of site preparation, but it is surprisingly often overlooked. If there is heavy vegetation or large trees that need to be removed, you’ll want to schedule someone to clear your land during site development.
- Demolition: Removing any existing structures on the property, which may require securing permits.
- Grading: Reshaping the land to create a level building pad, ensure proper drainage, and achieve the desired elevations for the house, driveway, and landscaping. This involves moving soil, rocks, or gravel to create slopes or fill low areas.
- Excavation: Digging trenches and holes for the foundation, utilities, and other underground components.
- Soil Compaction: Compacting the soil with specialized equipment to provide a stable base for the foundation and prevent settling.
3. Utility Installation
- Water and Sewer: Connecting to the municipal water and sewer lines or installing a well and septic system.
- Electricity: Bringing electrical service to the site and running lines to the future house location.
- Gas: If applicable, connecting to the natural gas line or installing a propane tank.
- Telecommunications: Running lines for phone, internet, and cable TV.
Not all utilities need to be fully installed before you build, but you will need adequate power to your lot and you’ll need to have already planned for all of your utilities before you start the build process. If you don’t plan for utilities accordingly, you may end up spending significantly more to get your house connected later on.
Why Is Site Development Important?
Proper site development is critical for the following reasons:
- Foundation and Structural Integrity: A properly prepared site provides a stable and secure base for the home’s foundation, ensuring the long-term structural integrity of the building, as well as preventing settling and cracking over time.
- Drainage and Water Management: The site must be prepared and graded correctly. Effective drainage protects the home from water damage, flooding, and moisture problems that can lead to mold and structural decay.
- Utility Access and Functionality: Correctly planning and installing utilities ensures that the home has reliable access to essential services like water, electricity, and sanitation.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meeting local building codes and regulations related to site development is essential to avoid fines, delays, and costly rework.
- Aesthetics and Landscaping: Site development sets the stage for landscaping and outdoor living spaces, contributing to the overall beauty and functionality of the property.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Investing in proper site development upfront can prevent costly problems and repairs down the road. Addressing issues during the construction phase or after the home is built can be significantly more expensive.
- Functionality and Accessibility: Proper site development ensures that the home is accessible, functional, and meets the specific needs of the homeowner, including driveway access and parking.
Site development is a fundamental aspect of building a custom home. It’s a complex process that requires careful planning, expertise, and coordination among various professionals. In most cases, when you are building a home on your land full site development isn’t included in the cost to build a custom home. Different home builders include different aspects of site development work. Some home builders offer the option to add assistance with site development, while others do not. Be sure to ask what your site development options and responsibilities are when choosing a custom home builder so that you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
Understanding what elements of site development are included in your home builder contract and investing in thorough site development as needed lays the foundation for a successful, safe, and long-lasting home.
If you’re considering building a home on your land in southwestern Idaho, we’d love to talk with you. Our team can help with a free land evaluation to help you better understand site development for your property. Contact us today to get started.
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