What to Expect During Land Development

You’ve decided to build your own Hill Country dream home and what you want it to look like. You’ve found the land to build on…now what? There are a few more steps that must be completed before we can begin building.

One of the first things that occurs and a common term you will hear is a “Perc Test.” A Percolation Test (Perc Test) is a test used to observe the absorption rate of water in the soil. If where you are building does not have public hookups to the sewer system, this test helps determine the size and design of the septic system needed for your home.

For the Perc Test, a Sewer Enforcement Officer (SEO) pours water down several holes in the soil to observe how fast the water filters down, examines the different types of soil and determines if the lot is suitable for a custom home build. It is a good idea to have a Perc Test completed before you purchase a piece of land or make the sale contingent upon the results, as it determines the viability of the land.

Once the purchase is complete and the land is acquired for your build, you will need to meet with your custom home builder and do a lot review. During this time you will meet with both the builder and an excavator. Together you will discuss and determine different parts of the build such as where the house will sit, where utilities will be placed and create an overall plan for the build. This plan helps the excavator determine what needs to be completed on the lot.