The plot is the one element of a build that cannot be changed afterwards. That is exactly why it is worth thinking through a few points carefully before buying — before any design work even begins.
Location and orientation
The plot's orientation directly determines how much natural light will reach the future home, and how well passive solar gain can be used. A south-facing garden gives entirely different design possibilities than a north-facing one.
Availability of utilities
How far away and with what capacity water, gas, electricity and sewage are available at the plot boundary significantly affects the connection costs. This is worth checking officially, even before the purchase.
A plot that looks cheaper at first but has no utilities can easily end up more expensive, once connection costs are added, than one that looks pricier at first glance but is already fully serviced.
Soil conditions
The bearing capacity of the soil and the groundwater level directly determine the type and cost of the foundations. A geotechnical survey can reliably uncover this — it is never worth skipping, even if it looks like an unnecessary expense at first.
Building zone and regulations
- Buildable footprint — how large a house can be built on the plot.
- Regulations on building height and roof shape.
- The mandatory size of the front, side and rear setbacks.
How does the design team help with this?
It is worth getting professional input on these questions already at the plot-selection stage — this way you can avoid buying a plot on which the house you have in mind ultimately cannot be built, or only with major compromises.
