Which lot to chose? (more expensive, value, state, builder)

[Hepcat]

Hi, all....since there is so much experience on this board, I thought I would ask you all this question.

I am looking at some lots of land in southern Maine. I understand that having town water and sewer is less expensive than putting in a well and septic. But I was wondering which, in general, is less expensive when it comes to overall site prep for building....

Lot 1 is flat, and open, with pasture/meadow views....but needs a well and septic installed.

Lot 2 has town water and sewer, but is heavily treed......looks fairly level, but its hard to say.


I know I am talking in generalities, and there are other considerations, but what do you think would be more expensive to do? A lot of excavation for site prep, or installation of a well and septic on a flat, level lot? I would not be building right away, but in the future, so I don't have a builder to ask.

[MMichelle]

Yes, this is a shot in the dark - as a general (& only a general) statement - I'd pick the lot with the municipal water & sewer.

[Silverfall]

I would pay a local builder to come out and give you an opinion.

[mmhl]

for future re-sale I know a lot of people that won't touch a house without city water and sewer. Wells & Septic systems can equal BIG headaches.

[Barking Spider]

How deep would the well have to be, and will the land pass a perc test for septic. Costs can vary quite a bit depending on the answers to those questions.

City water and sewer has a big plus of knowing the quality of the water is safe. The costs for removing trees can also vary a lot depending on if there is a market for selling them, and how many there are.

[theteardrop]

I think people's reaction to well water vs city water and the whole septic thing varies by area. I know where I grew up it was a big plus to have well water versus city and septic was not really a big deal. Where I am now, you are pretty much going to have well and septic and noone would be put off by it. I see on here people have strong opinions about them, but that just might be based on location. I think the idea of having someone come out and look and give you estimates would be best. You should check well depth and have a perc test though, that can be a deciding factor.

I know flat land and views are desirable, but some like seclusion. You just need to weigh the pros and cons

[beachmouse]

If they're nice mature trees and you can leave some of them in good places on the lot as you build the house, they can actually end up adding value to ye olde homesteade in the long run.

Down here, I'd really avoid well water for primary use. The water table here has dropped over the last 30 years, and it's pretty common to have to re-drill if you either use well water for a primary source or for irrigation purposes.

[Hepcat]

Thanks for all the responses...my husband prefers town water and sewer, but in many areas, the more private, beautiful, rural lots have well and septic.

I live in the greater Boston area, and we recently had a pipe burst that contaminated our reservior water source for several days....it made me rethink well water, and how vulnerable and dependent we are on our communty water source.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by mmhl

for future re-sale I know a lot of people that won't touch a house without city water and sewer. Wells & Septic systems can equal BIG headaches.

The millions of us that have a well and septic system would disagree.