Land

Homesite Tips

Below are just a few examples of homesite variables that should be thoroughly explored when searching for land. The Summit/Hometown team will guide you through consideration of these and other decisions while you create your new home.

  1. BEST PLACEMENT ON SITE: Subtle slopes can play large roles in how tall a foundation wall will be required to establish the desired finished floor elevation of your home. Given that a 4' poured concrete wall costs $39/LF and a 9' wall costs $58/LF, siting your house on a lot plays a large role in the overall budget.
  2. LAND CLEARING: A homesite with larger, more mature trees is going to cost more to clear and grade than one that contains less mature growth. Where will the debris need to be hauled? Hauling charges are arguably the most expensive component of excavation costs. It's important to know where the debris will need to go and develop an idea of what it will cost for transportation.
  3. WELL OR PUBLIC WATER: Will your site require a septic system or is there public water and sewer at the site? If public utilities, what are the connection fees? In many jurisdictions your connection fees can run as much as 10K. It's critical to determine the total impact these costs will have on your overall budget.
  4. PRIVATE SEPTIC OR PUBLIC SEWER: Again, which will it require and what are the costs? One of the most tragic things we see as a builder are customers that purchase lots requiring engineered or "Drip" septic systems without a true understanding of what they are and the associated costs. A drip system could cost in excess of $20,000 whereas a conventional system could run around $6,500. That additional $13,000 often inhibits the customer from making desired upgrades on appliances, fixtures, countertops, etc.

Our insight as a builder allows for critical cost considerations during the exploration of your land purchase. In many cases, we'll work with you to develop a preliminary construction budget for the house you wish to place on a particular homesite. This allows us to further confirm that we'll later be able to meet your desired budget.

As members of Hometown Realty, we have access to REALTOR® associations spanning from Williamsburg to Charlottesville and points North and South of Richmond. Our vast network of real estate agents, totaling over 270 successful individuals, allows us to research and tap into land offerings throughout Central Virginia.

Summit offers a seamless transaction from land purchase
through design to the delivery of your new home.