So, you’ve decided you want to build a new home from scratch. Where do you go from here?
In part 1 in of this 5-part series on new home construction in Sudbury, local licensed realtor and builder, Paul Corsi takes you though what you need to know when it comes to lot selection and why professional advice at this stage of new construction is critical.
Lot selection cannot be made based on a view or a location, it requires professional advice and many factors need to be considered before committing.
First of all, what style of home do you want to build? Are you an empty nester who wants minimal stairs? Are you a larger family that requires a 4 bedroom two storey? Maybe you’d like a walkout bungalow where your in-laws can rent the lower level and have their own separate entrance? You cannot select your lot if you haven’t determined what type of you home you want to build. The lot dictates what style of home can be built on it, not the builder.
Once your style of home has been determined, the next step is selecting a lot. Here’s where it gets tricky, especially in Sudbury, where the topography is anything but flat and consistent. The last thing you want, which has happened in the past in developments that I know of, is to purchase a lot and later find out that you need to fill the lot with an engineered aggregate to the underside of the footings, or cut down the grade by means of drilling and blasting, or unknowingly have to service the lot with water and sewer lines, or have to alter the lot grading as set out by the city. If this sounds overwhelming, it should. Always retain the pertinent professionals before making any decisions.
The best and safest way to purchase a lot is off a set of subdivision construction drawings. These drawings will tell you everything you need to know about a lot which includes but is not limited to, the slope of the street in the front, whether the lot is a walkout or not, who will be in your back yard, the style of home you can build, where the street lights are located, where the telephone and cable boxes will be, location of fire hydrant and hydro transforms (big green boxes on front lawns), and easements just to name a few. The orientation of the lot will also affect how you design the home.
Purchasing a lot and building a home from conception is very exciting because unlike an existing home, you have input on almost every aspect of the build making it your very own. Retain an engineer, an architect, a surveyor, an experienced realtor, or someone who has experience interpreting constructions drawings. It’s peace of mind that you’ve taken the first steps in the right direction of such a significant undertaking.
Paul Corsi has over 20 years of custom home building experience, is a Registered Tarion Home Builder, Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) and is the Broker of Record with Corsi Realty in Sudbury. For more information visit, corsirealty.ca or email Paul directly at [email protected].