Some advice please..

I might be moving from the traffic hell that is Vancouver to a much more rural location. Northern Alberta rural. I might even end up with a couple of acres, and have to have a house built.

Has anyone else done this kind of thing, and if so, is there any advice you can pass on. Any publications or websites that might be of use.

Anything about wells? I have no idea about wells, but it looks like I won't be on city water, that's for sure.

Thanks in advance...

 

I'm no expert at contracting, but I do know that any plot where you're considering putting a home that doesn't have access to water needs to have proven drinkable water available under it, or it's worthless dirt. The equivelant of your county office may have maps of water tables, and that area may already have been tested for other residents, but you either need an existing well that's been tested safe to drink, or you need to be able to assure that you'll be able to drill and hit safe water, and have some idea how deep. Really deep wells can get expensive, and no water at all would be a disaster.

 

Hi G.T., how's it going?

Thanks for the advice. I must admit, the water issue is the most worrying for me. We could move into a subdivision in Edmonton, or one of the smaller towns up there, but my wife and I would like to give an acreage site a shot. Only if we can find one that isn't next to a gas flare though.

Lots of those things up there.

 

The lure of the Alberta buck. The gas flares would be my biggest concern. I have to assume you're going there for work MrP,there is no other reason, because I'm pretty sure the Oiler home playoff games are sold out. If you buy land from a realtor, they must be up front about water issues. For example, they have to tell you if good water hasn't been proven on the land.

 

MrPewty,
I'm down here in Virginia but some of these same concerns would be applicable if I was looking to get acreage here and build a house.
I've worked for a contractor that does site development for developers who sell the finished lots to builders.

Water - availability and location on parcel
Septic field - Same as above. Both need to be tested and approved by local Health Dept.
Drainage easements - where storm water might be routed from the frontage road across the property.
Wetland easements - Not buildable in VA generally.
Floodplain easements - would not want to build in or cross with driveway.
Utility easements - Any electric lines, gas transmission lines or etc. crossing the parcel.
Nearest utilities - electric, telephone, cable - may need to extend these to the parcel possibly.
Topography of parcel - Steep hills are harder to build on - more grading involved than in a flat or gently rolling piece of land.
Setback distances - Distance from actual property line in which you can not build permanent structures except driveways or small sheds.
Access easements - for lots that may be "behind" you from the frontage road where you would need to grant access to other parcels.
Mineral rights - are they available or already sold to someone else.
Is the land heavily wooded or open field? Clearing adds to cost of development.
Length of driveway from frontage road to house location - longer is more expensive.
Any covenants or rules on use of the property from a homeowners association standpoint?

All the easements should be marked on the official plat or land record of the parcel.

I'm sure there are more things that should be looked at depending on the local land regulations.

 

there are a lot of homes in hawaii without water. and/or other services,. i would say at least half manage with catchment and generaters which seems no big deal.

 

-35C in the winter, with a north wind. It could be done but MrPewty is from the West Coast

 

ugh!!

 

Yeah, and keep a room in town (for vacations from all that peace and quiet)
abri

 

MrPewty terrible sorry Mr Kline will not sell property to an eight year old snicker.
Hey thirty years ago I gave up the Madhouse of Vancouver, and have never looked back. It is illegal to sell land in B.C./Alberta without water if the land is bought for residential/Farm land, that does not mean you will not have to drill a well, but that the seller has to disclose wether water is available and were it is. I can just see an eight year old MrPewty chewing on a hay stock........dang just too much

 

Have the water delivered and back it up with a cistern.
abri