Every project goes more smoothly when you plan ahead. As you plan, you will find out which stages require professional topographic survey services, and which steps may be avoided due to regulations. You will also prevent major problems by doing all your research before your shovel even hits the ground.
Research First
The best plans all start off on paper. An organized diagram with planned out dimensions and placement will make all the steps of getting your project done much easier.
Talk to your council office about permits, and see what the zoning regulations are when it comes to size and location of your building. It’s better to find out what you can and can’t do right at the start to save on having to redo any of your planning. They can let you know what size your shed can be, whether you need permits for sheds of that size, whether your fence can be so close to the boundary or whether you can have a deck near that stream.
They may require a drawing before discussing your plans, so have a rough sketch with some measurements ready. A professional survey shouldn’t be necessary until you are actually at the permit application stage. Doing a true survey too soon means you end up doing it again (and paying for the service again) when you have to make changes for your actual application.
Get the Permits
Once you find out what sizes and locations are allowed (with or without needed permits), you should be thorough and get the paperwork in order. There is nothing wrong with adjusting your project so that permits aren’t necessary when you can, but trying to avoid the paperwork can lead to more serious problems later. You can run afoul of your insurance company and you may be forced to remove the building altogether if the council or municipal office finds out you’ve built “illegally”.
Talk to Utilities
Unless your building project doesn’t involve any digging, you should talk to all your local utilities to make sure there aren’t any lines running through your site. Phone, cable, gas, Internet, water and sewage may all have something to say about where you are digging. The potential damage if you accidentally cut a fiber-optic line or nick a sewage pipe is considerable, and worth a little delay as you discuss your location with each service.
Most will offer a no-cost inspection to ensure there aren’t any hidden obstacles underground. At least with regards to their own services. In other words, don’t expect the phone company to have any information on the gas lines. Many areas have a single number you can call (programs known as Call Before You Dig, or Dig Safely) to help get your inspections planned out. They can connect you with the various agencies you need to talk to. In some areas, this is the law and you can be in legal trouble if you try to skip this step.
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I’m struggling the collate all the necessary things to do before we build our home. Too much red tape here in the Philippines and titles take 6-8 months at least to be processed. I feel like it’s too much of a hassle to do all the paper works as a real estate owner. Sigh! I wish I can magically accomplish and produce all the requirements. Thanks for sharing this blog post.
Truly, as with any action concerning a permanent structure, rigorous research is required. Not being able to get the permits or pay taxes required will result to being penalized. Of course, we don’t want that since it will be such a waste of money. I think when one is having a house put up in a subdivision, one should also talk with the homeowner’s association to make sure that the plan/design also fits with the overall theme and required specification.
I agree that planning makes a big difference in any endeavor. The same is true whether one is building a house, a business or even a family. People need to count the cost. That way, they would know if they are prepared enough for what they want to build.
During our house construction 4 years ago we really did plan very well aside from finances. However we hired a contractor it saved us from the hassle of getting building permits and all including the electricity and water line which you need to apply for too. These were good points helpful for those who are planning to build sooner..
Planning is very crucial in everything. And it terms of home construction its most important to really plan ahead carefully aside from finances. During the time when our home construction started 4 years ago we planned so much for it though some of the things like permits was done by our contractor and it saved me a lot of time and hassle..