News
Pre-Construction Checklist for Building on Your Land
This guide gives you a practical, step-by-step pre-construction checklist to help you prepare before you sign, finance, or break ground.
Build on Your Land Checklist: The Pre-Construction Must-Dos
This build on your land checklist is organized in the order most homeowners find helpful—starting with “can we build here?” and ending with “are we ready to mobilize?”
1) Confirm You Can Build (Ownership + Restrictions)
Before anything else, make sure the property can legally support a home the way you intend.
Check:
- Deed/ownership status and boundaries (who owns what)
- Easements and right-of-way (utility access, shared drives, drainage)
- HOA/POA rules (if applicable): architectural guidelines, minimum square footage, exterior materials
- Zoning or land-use restrictions (requirements vary by jurisdiction)
Why it matters: Restrictions can affect home placement, driveway location, and what you can build.
2) Schedule a Site Evaluation (The “Reality Check” Step)
A site evaluation is where you identify the practical build constraints: access, grading, drainage, and how the home will sit on the lot.
Typical site evaluation topics:
- Access for construction vehicles and material deliveries
- Existing vegetation and clearing needs
- High/low spots and drainage paths after heavy rain
- Best home placement for sunlight, privacy, and wind exposure
- Potential fill or grading needs (common on low-lying Gulf Coast lots)
Gulf Coast note: Water management is everything. A lot that looks “flat” can still hold water during seasonal rains. Planning early helps prevent surprises.
3) Verify Utilities (Power, Water, Sewer/Septic, Internet)
Utilities are one of the most common “hidden” variables in budget and schedule.
Utilities checklist:
- Electric: nearest pole/transformer, distance to run lines, any needed upgrades
- Water: city water availability OR well feasibility (requirements vary by jurisdiction)
- Sewer: municipal sewer availability OR septic feasibility (soil/perk considerations can apply)
- Gas (if desired): availability and distance to connect
- Internet: provider options and serviceability (important for work-from-home)
What to ask: “Where is the nearest connection point, and what’s required to extend service to the build site?”
4) Gather Surveys and Site Documents
If you want smoother planning and fewer delays, start collecting documents early.
Recommended documents:
- Boundary survey (or recent plat, if available)
- Flood zone information (if applicable)
- Soil or geotechnical info (when needed for the site)
- HOA/POA guidelines (if applicable)
- Utility notes: locations, provider names, account/permit requirements
- Any prior permits, septic info, or well records (if the land has history)
Why it matters: Builders and permitting offices often require consistent, accurate site details.
5) Understand Permits and Jurisdiction Requirements
Permits are not one-size-fits-all across LA/MS/FL/AL. Start high-level and let your builder guide you based on location.
Common permit categories (varies by jurisdiction):
- Building permit
- Septic or sewer approvals
- Driveway/culvert approvals (if applicable)
- Electrical/plumbing/HVAC permits
- Inspections at key phases (foundation, rough-in, final, etc.)
Tip: Ask what the typical permit timeline looks like in your area—and what documents are needed to apply.
Mini Table: What to Confirm Before You Sign or Break Ground
| Item | What You’re Confirming | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Surveys | Boundaries, easements, setbacks | Prevents placement problems and redesigns |
| Utilities | Connection points + extension needs | Impacts cost, timeline, and feasibility |
| Drainage/grade | How water moves on the lot | Drives sitework scope and long-term performance |
The Practical Pre-Construction Checklist (Copy/Paste)
Use this as your working list before you commit to the land purchase or start construction planning.
Pre-Construction Checklist
- Confirm ownership, boundaries, and any easements/right-of-way
- Collect survey/plat and any HOA/POA guidelines (if applicable)
- Schedule a site evaluation with your builder
- Identify best home placement (access, drainage, sunlight, privacy)
- Verify electric availability and distance to connect
- Confirm water source (city vs. well) and feasibility
- Confirm sewer vs. septic feasibility (requirements vary by jurisdiction)
- Verify internet options (especially if you work from home)
- Review flood zone and drainage considerations (if applicable)
- Outline expected sitework needs (clearing, grading, driveway, culverts)
- Review high-level permit requirements and timeline (varies by jurisdiction)
- Choose a preliminary floor plan direction to match the site and goals
Explore plan options: Floor Plans
Common “Gotchas” When Building on Your Land
These are issues that most often affect cost or timeline—especially in Gulf Coast markets.
- Utility extensions: Longer runs and upgrades can add time and cost.
- Drainage surprises: Low spots, seasonal water, or poor runoff paths.
- Access limitations: Narrow drives, soft ground, or limited turnaround space for trucks.
- Easements/setbacks: Buildable area is smaller than expected.
- Late document collection: Missing surveys or HOA rules can stall planning.
Key Takeaways
- A strong build on your land checklist focuses on site evaluation, utilities, surveys, and early permit awareness to prevent surprises.
- On Gulf Coast properties, drainage and seasonal rain planning should happen early, not after you break ground.
- Utility connection points (and distance to connect) are a major driver of budget and schedule.
- Surveys and restriction checks (HOA, easements, setbacks) protect your home placement and plan choices.
- Requirements vary by jurisdiction—your builder can guide what applies in your specific parish/county/city.
FAQ: Pre-Construction for Building on Your Land
1) Do I need a survey before I start planning?
A survey is strongly recommended. It helps confirm boundaries, easements, and setbacks so home placement doesn’t become a problem later.
2) What’s included in a site evaluation?
Typically: access, drainage, grading considerations, utility feasibility, and best home placement. Specific items vary by builder and jurisdiction.
3) What utilities should I confirm first?
Start with electric and water, then sewer/septic feasibility. Internet is also important if you work from home.
4) Can I build if I’m in a flood zone?
Sometimes, yes—but requirements vary by jurisdiction and can affect elevation and design. Your builder can explain what’s typical for your area.
5) When do permits happen in the process?
Permits typically come after plan details and site documentation are in place. Timing varies by jurisdiction and local workload.
6) What’s the biggest budget surprise when building on your land?
Sitework and utilities are common variables—clearing, grading, drainage fixes, driveway work, and utility extensions can add up.
7) Should I pick a floor plan before my site evaluation?
It’s fine to narrow options, but final plan decisions are best made with the site in mind—orientation, setbacks, and drainage can influence layout.
8) How do I get started with Cretin Townsend Homes?
Schedule a consultation and share what you know about your land (location, survey/plat, photos). We’ll guide the next steps.
