Building a Home on Your Own Land

Building a home on your own land sets the foundation for a future that’s entirely yours—no compromises, just pure possibility. But before you get lost in Pinterest dream boards, there’s a lot to consider, from permits to plot prep and everything in between. From our years of experience as custom home builders in Northern Colorado, here’s a comprehensive guide to what it really takes to bring your vision to life.

Initial Considerations 

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind excitement of building a custom home, but keep your cart firmly behind your horse! Consider these factors before getting started: 

• Zoning and Permitting
  Every county and municipality in Colorado has its own rules and building codes, so if you haven’t built here before, don’t just assume anything goes; be sure to work with your contractor to research the codes requirements in your area.
• Land Assessment
  Is your land ready for construction? Beyond picking the perfect view, you’ll need to assess the soil quality, drainage, and whether there’s easy access to utilities like water, electricity, and gas. A thorough land evaluation helps prevent costly surprises later on—so that lush plot you’ve been eyeing might need a little more digging (literally) than you think.
• Budget Planning
  Let’s talk numbers. Sure, you’ve probably got an idea of what it’ll cost to build your dream home, but don’t forget about the hidden expenses—things like land clearing, permits, unexpected site challenges, or expansive soils. A detailed budget that covers these costs (and gives a cushion for surprises) will save you from having to sell a kidney mid-project.
• Choosing the Right Location
  When choosing where on your property to build your home, think beyond the view. Your land might have different areas that are more or less suitable for building. Be sure to consider the direction you’re facing, typical weather patterns, and future changes to the natural landscape (erosion, plant growth, etc.).

Steps for Building a Home on Your Land

Building a home on your own land is a step-by-step process that involves a lot more than just picking out paint colors and dreamy floor plans. Here’s a basic rundown of what steps to expect:

Land Preparation and Site Work

First things first, you need to get your hands dirty (figuratively, or maybe literally). Land clearing and grading are essential for making sure your site is flat and ready for construction. This step involves removing trees, rocks, and debris, and sometimes even adjusting the slope of the land to make way for your foundation. Drainage is key, too—without proper grading and drainage, you could end up with a sinking foundation that could bring bigger problems down the line.

Design and Architectural Plans

Now for the fun part: designing your home! While you can always choose a pre-designed plan, working with an architect or designer to create a custom design that’s made specifically for your land and needs is a game-changer. Not every family has an architect; even fewer have one that has enough free time to design a whole home on their own. A professional architectural firm, however, will ensure that your dream home not only looks great but also fits the land’s layout, considers the local climate, and complies with building codes—ultimately, a design you can rely on without sinking too much of your own time and stress into getting it right. Keep in mind that a smart design can save you headaches down the road.

Construction Process

With your site prepared for construction and with the plans designed and ready, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of building. This is where elbow grease turns a conceptual plan into a livable home where memories are made. 

The process is nuanced and the timeline can only be predicted based on individual projects and the total scope of work. To keep things simple, however, you can generally break the construction process into a handful of key phases: the foundation is laid first, then comes framing, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work, and roofing. These steps involve different specialists, so it’s crucial to coordinate between tradespeople to ensure everything is done efficiently and up to standard. Quality control is your best friend here, making sure that every step is done right the first time. This of course will leave you with a home that needs internal finishing and decorating, but the majority of the heavy lifting will fortunately now be complete.

Final Inspections and Approvals

The finishing touches are all in place, and now comes the last step of final inspections. Before you can call your home officially yours, the property needs to pass a series of final inspections to confirm that everything has been completed according to the plans and local codes. Once the inspections are complete, you’ll get your certificate of occupancy, and you can officially move into your brand-new home!

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Building a home is exciting, but it’s easy to make some costly missteps along the way.

 

Underestimating Costs

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the price you see on paper is the price you’ll pay. Hidden costs like permits, land preparation, and unexpected setbacks can add up quickly. There is much more than meets the eye when it comes to construction in Northern Colorado, and one of the biggest potential hurdles to face in this area is the condition of the soils. 

“We have a certain type of soil that is common around here called Bentonite,” says Nathan Jacques, founder of Jacques Family Construction and a veteran of countless building projects. This soil has the potential to swell 10-12% when it gets wet. “So if your home is sitting on that soil when it rains and the soil expands,” he explains, “your home’s foundation could end up moving multiple inches in any direction. This is why we recommend getting soil tests done to customers before they create their design plan so we can plan around the soil conditions and prepare the proper foundation.”

Another surprise cost can be the tap fees for new lots within the city limits. For example, to connect a lot of about 6,000 square feet to the city of Fort Collins’ water lines is a whopping $70,000, and the fee to connect to the sewer system runs about $6,500. Talk about a potential unforeseen cost! These types of things can easily be missed by the average person looking to build a home, which is why it’s so important to have a professional working with you from the beginning.

Not Considering Future Needs

It’s easy to design a home for the here and now, but what about in five or ten years? Planning for future expansion or building too small can limit your options later. Think about your future needs—more space, a growing family, or maybe a home office.

Why You Should Work With an Experienced General Contractor

Building a home on your own land in Colorado means navigating a maze of regulations and managing a hundred moving parts, but with the help of an experienced general contractor (GC), there’s no need for concern. They know exactly what building codes and zoning laws to follow, ensuring your project stays compliant with all the legal requirements. You won’t have to worry about permits or unexpected paperwork popping up mid-project because the GC handles all the red tape for you.

An experienced GC also keeps the project moving on time and within budget. With their expertise, they can anticipate potential delays and cost overruns before they become a problem, keeping the whole process on track so you can focus on your future home. Plus, they bring a trusted network of subcontractors—skilled electricians, plumbers, and carpenters—into the fold. This means you get top-tier professionals working in sync to bring your vision to life.

And perhaps the biggest benefit of all is the peace of mind you get when working with a reliable general contractor. They’re the ones making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, so you can breathe easy knowing that your dream home is in good hands.

 

Partner with Jacques Family Construction for Custom Home Design & Building Services

Building a home on your own land is a huge, exciting undertaking, but it’s not something to take lightly. If you’re looking to build on land in Northern Colorado, partner with Jacques Family Construction, known for being a high quality and experienced custom home builder in Fort Collins and across Northern Colorado. We’ll ensure that every detail is expertly managed from start to finish, and keep you informed and updated every step of the way. Reach out to our family-owned team today, and let’s build something special together.