Considerations for Selecting Your Home Site

Think you’ve found your perfect rural property for building a new home?  Oregon lands are diverse, providing a variety of environments from flat valley floors to secluded forested hillsides to fit just about anyone’s desires for living space.  Even after you’ve signed the paperwork to secure that prime location, there are still many considerations for selecting your home site on the lot.  As you’re walking your parcel of land, here are five factors to think about as you choose where to place your home.

1. How much room will you need for home and recreation?  Of course, you’ll need to clear enough space for building your house, but also consider how you will recreate in the outdoors.  For example, do you want a large deck attached to a swimming pool?  Or do you want minimal manicured lawn areas out back but a stunning entranceway in the front?  Sketching a rough plan with square footage will help you discover how much area you’ll need to clear.
2. Evaluate the topography.  Many rural areas in Oregon and California include mountainscapes, valleys, slopes, ponds, and cliffs.  While you can build a home just about anywhere, there will be more challenges (and more costs) if the site is in a treacherous location or floodplain.  Your contractor and professional excavation company can help you understand the financial expectations of placing a home in different areas on your property.
3. Think about utilities.  Planning a home site begins with evaluating the lot for sewage tank suitability for many rural properties.  Before installing a sewage system, the land must pass a percolation test to ensure the soil is suitable.  Your county engineer should provide information regarding where a sewage system can be located on your property.  Power companies can also charge significant fees for installing in-ground or above-ground electrical lines.  Other more minor considerations are access to skies and sun.  If you’re planning on installing solar panels, wind generators, or satellite internet technology, you’ll need to ensure your home will have adequate accessibility.
4. Plan your driveway.  You will need a way to access your home from the main road, so it’s essential to consider where you will place a driveway.  The cost of driveway development will increase with size and complexity, and you’ll need to build it before much of the work on your home can begin.  Your excavation company should explain regular maintenance needs and costs and what to expect when the roads are covered with snow and ice.  Excavation Oregon is well experienced with building and maintaining driveways and roads for rural homes throughout Southern Oregon and beyond.
5. Consider the future.  Many home builders look at the property’s current status and choose a great view.  However, you should also consider what the property will look like years later.  Where will homes be located if there are neighboring lots, and how will they alter your view?  Will future development change accessibility needs to your land?  Will future tree growths block the stunning view of the valley?  

Excavation Oregon can help you with selecting your home site.

Selecting your home site is one of the most important parts of planning your build.   Our employees at Excavation Oregon are well experienced with Oregon and Northern California terrain. We’re here to help you understand the challenges and anticipated costs of various options. Whether your dream is to build a cabin buried deep within the woods or clear land for a castle with views of the faraway ocean, we can excavate and prepare your ground for building the perfect home for you and your family.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.