How to find and select a plot of land

Choose a plot with the space for you to build your dream home.

 

At first glance, every plot of land can look largely the same. However, plots that look the same may have a number of differences – ranging from soil composition to small changes in elevation – that can significantly alter the price and time scale of building your new home.

In this guide, we’ll share seven tips to help you choose the right plot of land for your self build house. From sunlight to local council regulations, read on to discover some of the most important factors to consider when selecting a plot of land for your new self build home.

 

Size of plot

  • The size and shape of the plot you purchase can affect your home’s design. If you’re interested in building a house with a large amount of floor space, you’ll need to buy a plot of land with enough space to accommodate your home.
  • On large plots, space is rarely an issue. However, if your desired location or budget limits you to a small section, you may need to compromise on the size of your home or consider purchasing a larger plot of land.
  • Remember that your plot needs to be large enough to accommodate your home and comply with local regulations. Many local governments restrict the amount of land a home can occupy within its section – a potential problem for small plot buyers.

Shape of plot

  • Avoid sloped or uneven plots as they need to be cut and filled
  • When you purchase a plot of land that’s on a slope, you’ll need to include the slope in your home’s design – often not an option for flat pack houses – or cut and fill the land to give you a flat section to build on.
  • This is not without cost, and the price of leveling your section prior to construction can have a significant impact on your total budget. The more modifications you need to make before construction, the higher your building budget will need to be.
  • Sloped plots can also have an effect on the amount of sunlight exposure your home will receive. Before you buy a sloped plot, make sure your major living areas won’t be blocked from receiving sunlight by a slope, cliff or other environmental feature.

Location

  • Consider nearby buildings and vacant plots before buying
  • Is your dream plot located next to a quaint country farm? If so, it’s probably a great investment. Is it located next to an empty commercial section in an area where high-rise buildings are commonplace? If so, it’s probably not such a good investment.
  • When choosing a plot of land for your self build house, look at the type of buildings that are already in the area to see if they match your home. You don’t want to build your dream home next to a plot of land that’s set aside for a new tower block.

Useful websites if you are looking for plot
http://www.plotfinder.net/

http://www.plotbrowser.com/

http://www.plotsearch.co.uk/

http://www.plotworld.co.uk/

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/

http://www.selfbuildland.co.uk/

http://www.barfords.co.uk/properties.aspx?property-type=residential+land&&property-tenure=&&property-size=

http://www.landlounge.com/

http://www.uklanddirectory.org.uk/index.asp

http://www.selfbuildabc.co.uk/latest-land-for-sale.asp

 

Read through our useful guide for more information

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