What do we look for when buying a Building Plot for our Self Build project?

 

For this section, I’ll assume that you have already given some thought to the “location” of your land (if not, then I suggest you read the previous two sections before this one), and that you are now at the stage where you are actively searching for a suitable piece of land on which you can build your new home.

Here are some “pointers” for you to bear in mind as you visit each plot:

1) Size: 

• Will it be suitable what you “need” and “want” in terms of the property you can “fit” onto the land?
• Will there be enough garden and parking area for you?
• Is it an unusual shape which will mean that you have to design something which may cost more to build? – If so, will it still be within your budget?
• If it is very narrow will you be able to get a house of a reasonable width and still be able to gain access to the rear?
• Will you be able to erect scaffold around your proposed property whilst you build?
• Will there be room for a storage container, a canteen, a toilet, and will there be room to stack materials safely way from the building?

2) Situation:

 

• Does the area have a good reputation? – Does THAT particular road have a good reputation? (Sometimes individual roads within “decent” areas can have bad reputations, affecting resale potential and value).
• Is it on a busy road, if so, will it be safe for your kids?
• Is it a high Council tax area?
• Is there adequate parking for visitors?
• How long will it take you to get to work in the rush hour?
• Is there a decent school nearby?
• What about bus stops, train stations, shops, entertainment, take away, a decent pub within walking distance?

3) Ground condition:

• Have a close look at the ground as you walk round. - Does it look fairly solid and dry? - Is there “holding water” or “boggyness” anywhere, although the weather conditions may be dry? (This could suggest a high water table which may cause extra cost in the foundations).
• Does it appear to have been used for industrial purposes at any time? If so, are there any foundations apparent which have been left and which will need to be removed? – If so it could add significantly to the foundation costs. Are there signs of “chemicals” on the surface of the land? – e.g., in any puddles (often shown up by a “rainbow” effect)?  
• Are there any signs of settlement (areas of depression distinct from the general level)?
• Is there any sign of one of the “virus” type weeds that seem to be expanding at an alarming rate around the country? – If so you may have to treat the whole of the land which can be very expensive. Is the ground made up of clay / sand / soil / rock? – All can be built on, but all have their own properties which affect the foundation costs. Is there any running water or running sand? – Both can cause problems and expense.

4) Inherent properties:

• Is the site sloping? (Which could mean that you need to bring stone in to make up levels over some areas).
• Will you need to take “spoil” away? (if there are “viral” weeds you may not be allowed to, or may have to pay a lot of money to do so).
• Where does the sun rise and set? – Will you get sun on the back garden during the day and in the evening?
• Are there trees either on the site or close by? - Will their roots affect the development? – Are they listed (protected)? - Will they block out the light to your windows?
• Are there existing features that will directly affect you? (E.g. a high tatty brick wall belonging to a neighbour. – Would they let you improve its appearance?

5) Existing buildings:

Planning / extra time / finding contractors / cost / health and safety / security.

6) Ransom strips:

7) Planning eligibility:

• What do the properties around it look like?
• How strict are the Planning Office?
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• We cover all the “Planning aspects” in other areas of this guide but bear this factor in mind when you are “plot searching”.

8) “Time of day” factors: 

• What time of day did you go to view the plot initially? - It’s always a good idea before committing yourself to a piece of land on which you may build a home in which you plan to live for several years, to see if “time of day” has any impact on your views on its suitability.
• In the evening are there cars parked everywhere? – Are you planning on parking any cars ( your own or visitors) on the road? – Will you or they be able to find space?
• Are there rowdy children playing in front of your plot, or sitting in groups on walls nearby?
• Is there sufficient street lighting?
• Are there noises nearby? – Is there a noisy pub, or sports field.
• Is there a school where children will be playing during the day creating significant noise?
• What is traffic like at different times of day? – Is the road busy?

9) Services across the site:

For example:

10) Accessibility:

• What is the visibility like as you enter and exit the plot? - Could the Planning Department ask for any alterations to the entrance area in order to grant Planning Permission? - If so would those conditions affect your neighbour’s property? – AND - if so would your neighbours allow you make those alterations?
• Will you be able to get the “plant” and “materials” you need to develop the property into the site?
• Are there overhead cables?
• Are local roads accessible by delivery wagons (some of which will be large)?
• Will the Trusses be able to be delivered, and will you also be able to position a crane to off load them.
• Will deliveries cut off the road for other traffic? – If so will you need to allow for traffic lights?
• What about services installations? – If the main is on the opposite side of the road, a trench will normally need to be dug to connect your property. - Will this be possible without major planning and disruption?
• What are the site conditions like at the entrance? – Is it boggy? - Will you need to improve it before you start to take any deliveries?

11) Neighbours:

• Look at their garden. - Is it “looked after”?
• When you call in the day or evening are they playing music loud with the windows open?
• Do they have large dogs which bark at your all the time you are viewing the plot?
• Are there old disused cars parked, rusting in the drive?
• Try to meet them. After saying a quick “Hello” you will get a good idea of how they are going to be if you buy the plot.  - Some neighbours are VERY “anti” the new development, and will try to make life difficult for you. – Is it worth the hassle?
• If you can speak to locals, ask them what they think of your street? – They may know things about people that are not obvious to anyone who is just moving to the area.

12) Security:

• How secure would you feel living there? - What is the “feel” of the area like?
• Is there a crime problem in the area?
• Do you think you would need a good security system on your property to make you feel secure? – If so add it to the project cost.
• Will you need electric gates and high fencing, cctv etc? – These are not necessarily things to put you off living in a certain place, but they are factors to consider from a personal and a cost point of a view.

13) Cost:

Once you have gone through this whole process you should be in a better position to decide whether or not you want to move forward to possibly making an offer.