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out and used to help you with your planning
Developing
Your Land
When developing land,
someone needs to be responsible for making sure that all improvements
are made to code and on schedule. Most people hire a general contractor
to coordinate this effort. In fact, some lenders require that the job
be done by someone on a list of approved contractors. In other cases,
a manufactured home dealer may act as the general contractor for a land
package. And, in some instances, the buyers elect to manage the project
themselves. Regardless of the path you take, it is important for you to
understand the development process.
Site preparation involves three basic steps:
evaluating the property, obtaining the necessary permits, and making the
physical improvements.
Evaluate the property...
Consider the physical
layout of your property, such as whether it is sloping or level, well-drained
or wet. Then, decide where to locate the house, the driveway and the utility
lines. If the site does not have access to a community water or sewer
system, determine where to place the well, septic tank and drain field.
Seek advice from a licensed contractor in evaluating the land and planning
improvements. Most manufactured home dealers can recommend several contractors
with experience in developing sites for manufactured houses, and some
dealers will even serve as a liaison between you and the contractor. You
also can get the names of registered contractors by calling the toll-free
Contractor Registration Information Line at (800) 647-0982. Professional
guidance and careful planning is especially advised if you are placing
a house on property where a well and/or septic tank is needed. These two
additions affect site preparation costs more than any other improvements.
Obtain the permits...
If a septic tank is required,
a licensed septic design contractor must be hired to do a land percolation
test, develop a septic design and obtain approval for the design from
the local health department. Once the site and design of the septic tank
have been determined, the locations for other components of the residence
can be designed and an application for a building permit can be filed
with either the city or county government. Building permits are required
for all manufactured houses and any add-on construction to the home or
property, such as a driveway, garage, or deck. Contact your city or county
building and construction safety inspection service for more information
and for the specific requirements in your area. After the site evaluation
and permit applications have been completed, request forms can be submitted
to the utility companies for electricity and phone service, and, if available,
water and sewer service.
Make the improvements...
Once the building permit
application has been approved, initial physical preparations can be made.
Work such as constructing the septic system, drilling the well, leveling
the land, building the footings, and digging utility line trenches can
all be handled by your contractor.
After the footings and other land improvements
are complete, the home can be assembled. Usually, the installation of
the house is handled by the dealer and is included in the cost of the
home. With the house in place, the utility companies can be contracted
again - this time to install the necessary equipment.
Plan ahead to reduce costs...
Site preparation costs
vary from a low of $6000 to over $20,000, depending on the geographic
area, the requirements of a given jurisdiction and whether or not a well
and/or a septic system is needed. Early site planning, however, can significantly
reduce costs, both in terms of time and money. Use the development worksheet
on page 11 to help you budget.