Buying a building plot? Check what to look out for

Buying a building plot involves a number of difficult decisions that must be made before we start building a house. Even the moment of viewing land for a house should be carefully considered with regard to the choice of location.

Location, location

If we are looking for a plot right now, we will be able to assess reliably the level of shade at every time of day. As you can see, the buying process should ideally last as long as a whole year, because autumn or spring is the ideal time to check how waterlogged the land is. For this purpose we will need the help of a geologist, who will carry out the proper survey.

In the period of intense rainfall (autumn and winter), on the other hand, you can assess the condition of the access roads, which will also matter for the comfort of living there. If we do not have a whole year for careful observation, we recommend visiting the plot at different times of day so that you can form a reliable opinion.

The foundation of building work

We move on to the next stage of design, which consists of preparing the ground, specifically choosing the right soil. This will be especially important if we intend to design a basement or a household sewage treatment plant. That is why you should pay attention above all to the soil class. The plot is not always already released from agricultural use (that is, reclassified as building land), and the whole undertaking will then be considerably prolonged. We will be obliged to complete many formalities (above all submitting an application to the Surveying Department) and to bear additional costs.

Before we get down to choosing a specific plot, however, we should draw up a house design according to our own needs, and only then, on that basis, begin the search for the dream plot, which – in the ideal scenario – has access to a public road owned by the municipality (in the case of voivodeship and county roads, it is much harder to obtain permission for a driveway exit onto the road).

Space, space everywhere

The plot design should take into account the needs of the potential residents, so we must think about how much space is required. If we like to spend time actively outside the house and have a gardener's soul, a mini garden will prove insufficient. In such a situation, even a 1,500-square-metre plot may be too small.

Size is one thing, but we must also pay attention to the shape of the plot, so that its proportions fit the house design. The classic solution is a slightly elongated rectangle.