[Sarah]

My mother gifted me 2.5 cleared and fenced acres of land in a trust. I want to save up enough to put well and septic on it and get a down payment to build a small starter home.

I am starting off with $15k, and I have a $500 extra per month I could add to it.

My biggest issue is well, septic, and the electric hookup to the pump from the pole cost $24k combined with extremely limited competition options in my rural area for a better price.

These companies also do no guarantee they will strike water, or be able to pump any up.

If that is the case, I would have to pay another $24k to try again. What is a reasonable way to save for this?

Would it be better to sit on the land for a year and see what the prices look like next year?

[Mary]

Get a well Witcher in there to check for water. We also were gifted land from my parents and the land was used for collateral when we signed the load for the house.

I would wait till next year and stash money. Hopefully things will be better next year.

[Molly]

I have a different opinion.. I would talk to a mortgage lender now about what you might qualify for in the future.

You might be able to qualify for special programs since you own the land outright, such as rural development.

You may be able to finance the well,septic, electric into the home loan.

It might not be possible, but it’s also a possibility. Just another thought.

[Sara]

Look into rainwater harvesting instead of a well. Much cheaper and still a good way to get water moving.

You will need a filtration system.

[Hazel]

Just put in a massive water tank and buy in water. Well digging is very hit and miss and always ridiculous price.

[Lisa]

Talk to your local health department and find out what other wells are in the area and how deep they are. That will give you an idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

Then you can get bids.

I agree that zoning is frustrating and requiring you to basically be on the grid when you can certainly live without it is frustrating.

[Phillips]

First double check all your local laws. Check to see if you need a perk test or soil testing.

They usually do a test to see if they can hit water and test it to make sure it’s drinkable.

Perk test shouldn’t be 24 grand.

See if you need to rezone the land or if there are any restrictions.

[Deborah]

Check out the well company for integrity. B.B.B.i have known of well diggers who dig multiple sites, knowing it isn’t a good site to run the $$$ up.

Have a guy with you.

Sorry, they will take advantage of you as a woman.

Sorry to have to say this, but true, it happens.

[Deanna]

Don’t forget to pay the taxes. As soon as you move on the property file homestead exemption.

[Nicole]

Well logs are public knowledge. Look up neighboring properties with wells.

That would give you an average depth and gallons per minute to help you make a decision one way or the next.

Most counties have well logs available to download and view online.

[Kathie]

My dad was a well Witcher. He was born in 1932. He took my brother and me (I am the oldest) once when he was going to look for water. He gave each of us a switch as well.

We were 12 and 9.

My brother couldn’t find it, but I did.

I couldn’t keep the switch from pulling down. My daddy said I had the gift.

I’m now 68 and have never tried since. But I’ll never forget how it felt either.

[Sadie]

Does a neighbor have a well? Most well companies are pretty good at knowing where the water is.. ours looked at where our neighbors hit water and we decided where to put our well from there.

It also should not cost you another 24k to try again.

I would have them punch the well and then run power and the septic. That way if they have to try a new spot, it shouldn’t be more than a few thousand extra.

I would save up at least 30k before starting the process just incase something goes wrong.

Developing raw land can lead to some funny surprises.

You will also most likely need a shed for your well room if there isnt a house on the property. So don’t forget to budget that in.

[Jazzmil]

I’d invest for the year and see what other options there are next year.

[Jess]

Would save for a year just so you have enough for that and extra.

[Measha]

Does a trust mean you own it outright or are other people involved? Does it stay in trust after you pass?

[Sonia]

I agree to get a well witcher first and see if they are able to tell you if there’s water and where to dig. Then worry about the well digger.

I would say to also get more than one quote, but I know from experience that getting a well company (in our area at least) can be like pulling teeth.

There’s only a few company in several counties and they stay booked.

How much were you quoted for digging and how much for your different well set up options?

[Crystal]

If I was starting from scratch I would study and weigh the pros and cons of some off grid homes. Designs. Including those that have a grey water catchment but the toilet that truly needs the septic is an incenrator.

If you are doing a smaller home if built really well you maybe able to do alternative ways to pwr or heat it when it’s built.

As for a well a Witcher along with contacting neighbors to get information on your areas well depth.

I personally live really close to a land grant institution and they have a department that deals with water and I was able to work with them and the found information from old studies that was conducted and I was able to unearth a hidden spring relatively easily.

Sometimes spending a little more up front can be more frugal in the long run on the hind end.

Granted some of this ain’t for everyone but a lot of it has its merits.

[Laura]

The investment for a year is a good idea.
May I also suggest that you walk the property & look for damp spots, they indicate an underground spring.

Also take a look at local maps of underground water sources.

[Joyce]

Here in some parts of Ohio we have Amish community that we hire, they are skilled and know what their doing.

[Lisa]

Talk to a mortgage broker, they might have a construction loan that would pay for the infrastructure

[Jean]

Ask around. Get info from locals. Sometimes a retire person who knows how will do it. Or someone may recommend a person they know.

[Megan]

My sister just put a new septic in and it cost her 20k. It was a replacement so I’m not sure if that makes a difference.

Also, the county gave them 2 companies to choose from or they wouldn’t get permitted.

[Jennifer]

Maps usually exist for rural areas that show well depth and placement for your neighbors. A lot of people do not know this, but if you check with honest well drillers they will tell you that they take these into consideration when determining where to drill.

From these you can see if it is likely to strike water. Here’s the example from the last house I needed to drill a well.

[Cheryl]

A couple moved in next to my mom…bought 25 rough acres… started with a trailer and a generator, then brought in power.

They got lucky/unlucky on water…They found a spring to tap into at a higher elevation…that is what they are still using…

it drains into a holding tank that has a hose off of it. Plenty of water for a few animals and themselves…

Went to dig a well …it’s dry…. not sure how deep they have gone so far….

[Gloria]

You can haul in water until to can afford to dig and have a field septic system if its allowed. You can use a generator for power until you can afford to put power in.

Power can be brought into your property for much less than you were quoted, do keep looking.

You may be able to sink in your own power pole which will save money but check if its allowed in your area.

This will get you started while you build your house.

Consider solar but don’t go crazy. Have fun in your adventure!

[Author]

Posts