Any competent builder can build a good house, but building the house is only about half the process. More and more companies are saying they can build on your land, but is that really true? Do they have the experience necessary to navigate the complexities of building on raw land?
Developers vs. Builders
Builders who are accustomed to building in pre-defined neighborhoods have a lot of the prep work done for them by a developer.
That includes engineering, drainage, street access, and lot clearing. It also includes all the site boundaries, easements, and right-of-way surveys—all the legal stuff that says you can actually build there. Plus flood plain determination and a measurement of the weight bearing capacity of the soil, which impacts where and how you build.
That's a lot of background work!
We're seeing the market in Oklahoma City starting to consolidate. The large and mid-size builders are cornering the market on available lots, and the smaller builders are getting squeezed a bit. Some builders see the "build on your land" market as a way to increase their sales.
Prep Work
All that background and prep work mentioned above? It's now the responsibility of the builder when they're building on your land. There are a lot of complexities to building on rural property.
We've seen everything from land title issues to landlocked properties to impossible drainage and lot clearing that will cost as much as the house. A typical neighborhood builder doesn't have experience with those issues, and they may not know how to navigate them successfully.
Building on Rural Land?
Not only are there lots of things to worry about when building on rural land, but they all need to be done right the first time. If you own land that you've dreamed of building on, you only get one shot at it.
That land is unique and your home will be unique, just like you and your family. One mistake from an inexperienced builder can cost you your dream or make your dream more costly.
When it comes to building on your own land, you want a builder who can say, "Been there, done that." Do your research and make sure the builder you choose has plenty of experience building on rural land and navigating the complex challenges that can arise.
