DIY Network

Getting Started: Introduction and Choosing a Site From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-101

Everything from designing your new home to the materials that will be used are covered in DIY's new series, which is a brother series to Home IQ, our successful new series that debuted last winter (2003). We're here to help you through the home-building process! Let's get started.

In the first episode of Blueprint for Home Building, we introduce the home-building team, which includes the sales representative, site supervisor, design consultant, subcontractors, warranty representative, land planners, engineers, purchasing agents, building inspectors and closing agents.

Host Jeff Wilson will assist the in the huge process of building a new home. There are hundreds of questions that he will help answer in these first 13 episodes of DIY's new series.

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How Do I Choose a Site?

• Most potential homeowners will have an idea of the size (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.) house they want to build and how they want the house to sit on the site. When looking for a lot (site) keep in mind that there are three different types of locations:
  1. Rural (figure A) -- Usually located outside the city limits such as agricultural area or farmland. These sites are usually larger because the land is less expensive. One drawback is that supplying utilities to a rural site can "possibly" cause a problem. It's more feasible to buy lots that already have utilities in front of the property. Also, sewage lines are often unavailable in rural areas, and installing a septic system on the lot can be costly.

  2. Urban (figure B) -- If you're looking for a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, an urban lot is the way to go. Urban sites offer easy access to business districts, commercial areas and nightlife. Much of the time you can forget about a car and either walk or take public transportation.

  3. Suburban (figure C) -- If you're looking to combine the conveniences of a rural and urban site, this is the best choice. A huge advantage is that the sewer lines, roads and infrastructure will already be there in advance. You won't have to incur any additional costs on this front. The schools and shopping centers are already intact as well.

• What a potential homeowner needs to do before investing in a site is to do homework. To make an informed decision find out as much as possible about each particular lot, the subdivision (if applicable) in which you're building and the geographic location.

Note: Just because you may own a piece of property, it doesn't mean you can build "anything" you want on it. There's a set of guidelines -- called "zoning ordinances" -- to follow when building any new home.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

What Is a Zoning Ordinance?

Zoning ordinances (figure D) are specifications or written policies that limit the use of the site. Before a potential homeowner hires an architect, he needs to go online or to the local building department find out what zone the home will be in and what ordinances are relevant to the site. All the building department will need is the address of the lot.

The ordinances exist to protect the quality of the neighborhood.
What Is a Covenant?

A covenant (when it comes to home building) is a "more-specific" guideline or regulation that limits what a property owner can build into or in conjunction with their home.

For example, a covenant may restrict the homeowner to only build a side-low garage, which can affect the width of the house. A covenant can put limits on everything from the size of your pool to whether or not you can have a pet kangaroo.

DIY Home Building Tip: If you are looking for a site outside your state or area, subscribe to the local newspaper online. It's an easy way to learn more about the community you're interested in.

You've gotten started building your new home by choosing a site, but now you need a plan. This is covered in the next segment.

GUESTS :

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Craig Hill
President
Earth Systems Southwest
79811 Country Club Dr.
Indio, CA 92203
E-mail: chill@earthsys.com

Linda Brettler
Architect
Phone: 323-935-3999
E-mail: lindabrettler@sbcglobal.net

Carl Cuozzo
Designer
Design Basics
11112 John Galt Blvd.
Omaha, NE 68157
Phone: 402-331-9223
E-mail: ccuozzo@disignbasics.com

Dave Watson
Architect
E-mail: architalk@att.net
Website: www.watsonarchitect.com

Dana Bres
Research Engineer
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th St., SW
Washington, DC 20910
Phone: 202-708-4370
E-mail: dana_b._bres@hud.gov

Jack Tucker
Building Wisdom
Frankford, DE 19945
Toll-free: 800-844-6275
E-mail: tucker@buildingwisdom.com
Website: www.buildingwisdom.com

Heinrich Klingner
General Contractor
Eurocraft Construction
E-mail: eurocraft1@co8.net