What to Expect When You Purchase Land and Build a Home With Us

Building a home is an exciting journey—one that blends creativity, planning, and trust. If you’re considering purchasing property and working with us to bring a home to life, here’s a story of what the process really looks like from start to finish.

1. The Vision Begins: Choosing the Right Property

Most clients start with a dream: a quiet piece of land, a dream house and a place that feels personal. But before any building happens, the land itself must be evaluated carefully.

When you’re looking at properties, we help you understand the realities behind the dream:

• Access & Roads – Is the property reachable year-round? Will large trucks and equipment fit?

• Topography – A steep, rocky, or wet site may require major excavation.

• Utilities – Does the land have electric, septic capacity, and well potential? These alone can run $50,000–$150,000+, depending on the site.

• Zoning & Code Requirements – Not every parcel is buildable. We verify setbacks, wetlands, and allowable square footage before you commit.

Many clients discover that finding the right land is one of the most important—and most time-consuming—steps of the entire journey.

2. Making the Purchase: Due Diligence Period

Once you’ve found a parcel you love, the next phase is due diligence. During this period, our clients typically:

• Perform a soil test to confirm septic viability

• Verify electric service proximity

• Confirm that the chosen style and size house is compatible with zoning

• Review surveys, easements, and property access rights

• Estimate site development costs

This phase helps you avoid purchasing land that will be too costly—or too restrictive—to build on.

Legal costs:
Expect $2,000–$4,500 for attorney fees, surveys, and due-diligence costs before you ever break ground.

3. Pre-Construction: Turning an Idea Into a Buildable Plan

Once the land is secured, we begin the pre-construction process. This is where you commit to working with us to create a realistic plan, budget, and schedule.

This phase includes:

• Site measurements, scans, photos and feasibility review

• Cost modeling specific to your design

• Structural engineering, if required

• Material selection and refinement

• A full, written scope of work and preliminary budget

This is typically a 3–6 week process depending on the complexity of the site and the level of customization. During this phase, you’ll understand:

• What your all-in cost will likely be

• How long the build will take

• What issues you may face (access, excavation, drainage, etc.)

• What decisions you need to make early to control cost

This stage requires commitment from both sides—your time, design decisions, and financial clarity, and our expertise in planning and estimating.

4. Permits, Approvals, and Legal Requirements

Any house must go through the same legal process as any new construction. Here’s what to expect:

Permits Required

• Building permit

• Septic permit

• Well permit (or water connection approval)

• Electrical permit

• Any required environmental permits (wetlands, flood zone, steep slope)

Time Frame

Permitting can take anywhere from 4–12 weeks, depending on the town.

Typical Costs

Legal and permit-related costs usually range from $5,000–$15,000, depending on the municipality and engineering requirements.

5. Breaking Ground: What the Build Really Looks Like

Once permits are approved, we begin construction. A build generally takes:

• 6–12 months to build, depending on site complexity, weather, and customizations.

Clients should expect:

• Weekly or bi-weekly updates

• A time-and-materials billing structure (with transparent records)

• A living contract that tracks scope, cost, and schedule

• Occasional surprises (rock ledge, drainage issues, access complications)

• Regular inspections by the local building department

This stage is where trust is essential—we build what we’ve agreed upon, and you stay engaged throughout.

6. The Client Commitment: What You’ll Need to Move Forward

To successfully complete a home build, you will need:

Financial Readiness

• Funds allocated for land, site work, construction, utilities, taxes, legal fees, and contingencies.

• Contingency recommended: 10–15% of the total project cost.

Decision-Making

• Timely choices on materials, finishes, and any design modifications.

• Responsiveness to questions that affect scheduling.

Patience

Construction is not always predictable. Weather, supply chains, and inspections can all introduce delays.

Trust in the Process

We bring transparency, quality, and professionalism. Your commitment is to stay involved and open as the project evolves.

7. Completion & Peace of Mind

Once the house is complete and passes final inspection, you’ll receive:

• A Certificate of Occupancy

• A walkthrough explaining all systems

• A one-year workmanship warranty on everything we build

Your home will be ready for move-in—designed, engineered, and built with care.

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In Summary — The Story of Building With Us

Building a house is a journey of collaboration. You’ll start with a vision, find the right land, work through planning and approvals, and finally bring a modern, beautifully crafted home to life.

It requires:

• The right property

• A realistic budget

• Patience with permitting

• A willingness to plan thoroughly

• Trust in a builder who values communication and quality

If you are ready to take this journey, we are here to guide every step—from the first walk on the land to the moment you turn the key.