The Hidden Costs of Developing a Residential Building Site

The process of developing a residential building site often comes with various hidden costs. Budgeting for these expenses is a critical task typically accomplished by your custom builder, and these costs can range from $75,000 to $100,000 or more. Below is a list of many components to consider:

• Building permit fees and adequate public facilities or impact fees
• Engineering and survey costs
• Clearing and grading expenses
• Utilities (both private such as well/septic, and public such as water/sewer)
• Other utilities like electric and cable
• Sediment control measures
• Storm water management systems
• Driveway construction
• Stabilization efforts, such as sod or seeding

All of these potential development costs need professional evaluation during the process of budgeting or deciding to contract on a homesite. Danleigh Homes provides this essential service.

Beyond the Basic Development Allowance Budget

In addition to the costs mentioned above, there are other expenses that are often overlooked, yet crucial to consider. These are typically not evident at first glance and require a trained eye to identify. These include:

• Poor soil conditions
• Presence of rock or groundwater
• Public improvements such as curb, gutter, aprons, street improvements, etc.
• Steep slope analysis
• Conservation requirements and other environmental impacts

Determining a True Total Finished Lot Cost

The final cost of a finished lot encompasses the acquisition cost PLUS the lot finishing cost. Understanding the latter proves to be the most challenging part of the equation. The Danleigh Homes team offers a comprehensive, turnkey service that blends architectural design and lot harmony, keeping the budget in mind.