We're looking to build a new home and need help

[LVSteve]

Whatever else you do, I have two points to raise:

1) Be careful how the attic is constructed. Some designs are more insulation friendly than others.

2) Avoid cathedral ceilings if possible.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Before you get too far down the road, contact the settlement agency and get copies of covenants, restrictions and recorded plats regarding this property. Have the settlement company give copies of the recorded easements and rights-of-way to a surveyor to draw them in on a survey. The last thing you want to find is that there is a pipeline based on a valid easement agreement going right through the middle of the lot (I'm not making this up, I've seen it).

All of these things are matters of public record and you are charged with having knowledge of what is on every scrap of paper in the courthouse, even though you have never set foot in the courthouse. The last thing you want is a neighbor, HOA, refiner or utility company telling you to take down what you've spent time and money building because they had prior rights superior to yours.

And did you get or are you getting a boundary survey?

This is something many people overlook when building on their own lot. A lot of builders just buy platted lots that have already had the surveying done. Generally contractors know very little about easements and property lines because that's not the business they are in.

In some states they have requirements for ALTA surveys where a surveyor will search the records for any and all recorded documents related to easements, boundary conflicts and chain of title. The ALTA survey will disclose this. This is a good intro.

When Do You Need an ALTA Survey? | Point to Point Surveyors

I didn't have one done when I purchased my property because I did the work myself. If I hadn't been a licensed practicing surveyor I would have hired a surveyor to do an ALTA survey.

It's just good insurance and can save you some grief down the road.

 

[BAM-BAM]

If you can get local references.......

We're building a lake house in the Laurel Highlands of Pa..... when local folks heard about it .... the first 8 or 10 folks all said you ought to check out "Kent_______".

German/Baptist (aka kinda Amish)......... been great so far...... in rural areas locals know everyone's reputation.....


Urban..... watch your back and get a good architect and lawyer.


I used the internet to look at plans ...... just to get ideas/concepts ....... laid out what I wanted and got a retired/part time Architect to do the "final" drawings...... $1,500 + a few good ideas!!!!!!!!!

 

[Stonecove]

Thanks for your help guys. I appreciate all the good advise. The neighboring properties are built on so some of the variable are known such as well and septic and restrictions. Its all plotted and I talked to the county health department and checked on the soil perk for the subdivision. Looks like we are going with a builder architect so it will be custom to our needs. Thanks for your input.
Stonecove