Toggle sidebar

For those of you who have bought, or built on land you've purchased..

litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
..say somebody found the perfect 10 acre lot that butts up to a private lake (ie-way out in the country), and there are already 2 other homes around said lake so you know somebody figured this out...

...and i don't need an old tesrament bible length explanation on this, just some highlights...

What are they doing for power, sewer, water?

..50% of me thinks it would never be more than a place to park a camper for short stays so none of this would matter..

...but if one wanted to build something more permanent.

Drill a well for water, septic system? Is that normally how its dun? What do you do for power? Local power company comes out and tells ya what they need to do and you hire them? Is it that "simple"?
 
HuskerInCarolina

HuskerInCarolina

All-American
Dec 2, 2024
3,585
5,234
112
I’d imagine water is well water, septic system. Power is usually simple, they install a pole somewhere near the road and then run the line underground to the house. Thats if there’s other power lines already in the area. If there isn’t, I’m not sure. But sounds expensive lol heck, I wanted fiber optic installed to my house and called ATT since they were the only ones with fiber optic in the area at the time. But because nobody else had it around me, it was gonna cost me almost $15k to get it put in and ran 200 yards to my house. I went with Starlink.

I bought land and built here in SC, and that’s what we had done. I’m about 40 minutes from the city, so it’s rural but it’s not like Ogallala or O’Neill rural.
 
  • Like
Reactions: litespeedhuskerfan
litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
HuskerInCarolina said:
I’d imagine water is well water, septic system. Power is usually simple, they install a pole somewhere near the road and then run the line underground to the house. Thats if there’s other power lines already in the area. If there isn’t, I’m not sure. But sounds expensive lol heck, I wanted fiber optic installed to my house and called ATT since they were the only ones with fiber optic in the area at the time. But because nobody else had it around me, it was gonna cost me almost $15k to get it put in and ran 200 yards to my house. I went with Starlink.

I bought land and built here in SC, and that’s what we had done. I’m about 40 minutes from the city, so it’s rural but it’s not like Ogallala or O’Neill rural.
Click to expand...


Awesome. Thank you
 
D

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,383
12,799
78
litespeedhuskerfan said:
..say somebody found the perfect 10 acre lot that butts up to a private lake (ie-way out in the country), and there are already 2 other homes around said lake so you know somebody figured this out...

...and i don't need an old tesrament bible length explanation on this, just some highlights...

What are they doing for power, sewer, water?

..50% of me thinks it would never be more than a place to park a camper for short stays so none of this would matter..

...but if one wanted to build something more permanent.

Drill a well for water, septic system? Is that normally how its dun? What do you do for power? Local power company comes out and tells ya what they need to do and you hire them? Is it that "simple"?
Click to expand...
Local knowledge is VERY important. Quiz the realtor if there’s one handling. Maybe off grid is an option IF it’s just a cabin but that’s a huge pain in the ***. The big thing is electricity. If there’s other houses, there’s probably power nearby but getting it to the property can be expensive. For that you have to talk to the power company. There are state and local rules on septic systems. In some areas, they don’t allow drain fields and you have to capture all your waste to be hauled off.

County zoning officials might be a place to start for information. I’ve developed several rural pieces of land. It amazes me some of the things I see happen in the Blackhills for instance. Over the past 10 years that has gotten sliced and diced and it’s pretty much ruined much of the area. I looked at parcels of land that had no utilities and most of the hills are pure rock. They were selling acreages on top of rock with no developed utilities for 50K an acre in some cases. You can easily spend that much just getting water and septic. Don’t assume you can successfully get a well either. Solar water pumps have limitations also.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nuts McClanahan, Wasker73, litespeedhuskerfan and 1 other person
Cruel Halo

Cruel Halo

All-Conference
Jun 27, 2003
6,553
1,644
97
litespeedhuskerfan said:
..say somebody found the perfect 10 acre lot that butts up to a private lake (ie-way out in the country), and there are already 2 other homes around said lake so you know somebody figured this out...

...and i don't need an old tesrament bible length explanation on this, just some highlights...

What are they doing for power, sewer, water?

..50% of me thinks it would never be more than a place to park a camper for short stays so none of this would matter..

...but if one wanted to build something more permanent.

Drill a well for water, septic system? Is that normally how its dun? What do you do for power? Local power company comes out and tells ya what they need to do and you hire them? Is it that "simple"?
Click to expand...
About 20ish years ago I bought acreage in Colorado adjacent to 1,000s of acres of BLM land. I am in the sticks and around 7,000 ft.

Electricity: solar
Water: captured then filtered and a hit or miss well
Sewage: septic system
 
  • Like
Reactions: WHCSC, Streamer15 and litespeedhuskerfan
HuskerInCarolina

HuskerInCarolina

All-American
Dec 2, 2024
3,585
5,234
112
Cruel Halo said:
About 20ish years ago I bought acreage in Colorado adjacent to 1,000s of acres of BLM land. I am in the sticks and around 6,700 ft.

Electricity: solar
Water: captured then filtered and a hit or miss well
Sewage: septic system
Click to expand...
Do you ever have any issues with solar on long periods of overcast or bad weather? I’ve never had solar as a primary source before, besides for things out in the garden and coop/barn. Though one day I’ll run an actual electric line out there lol maybe.
 
D

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,383
12,799
78
HuskerInCarolina said:
I’d imagine water is well water, septic system. Power is usually simple, they install a pole somewhere near the road and then run the line underground to the house. Thats if there’s other power lines already in the area. If there isn’t, I’m not sure. But sounds expensive lol heck, I wanted fiber optic installed to my house and called ATT since they were the only ones with fiber optic in the area at the time. But because nobody else had it around me, it was gonna cost me almost $15k to get it put in and ran 200 yards to my house. I went with Starlink.

I bought land and built here in SC, and that’s what we had done. I’m about 40 minutes from the city, so it’s rural but it’s not like Ogallala or O’Neill rural.
Click to expand...
Can’t assume anything on rural Nebraska properties. There isn’t a usable aquifer under all of the state. Some wells in South Dakota are over 7000 feet deep and the water reeks of sulfur.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4.6.3
litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
dinglefritz said:
Local knowledge is VERY important. Quiz the realtor if there’s one handling. Maybe off grid is an option IF it’s just a cabin but that’s a huge pain in the ***. The big thing is electricity. If there’s other houses, there’s probably power nearby but getting it to the property can be expensive. For that you have to talk to the power company. There are state and local rules on septic systems. In some areas, they don’t allow drain fields and you have to capture all your waste to be hauled off.

County zoning officials might be a place to start for information. I’ve developed several rural pieces of land. It amazes me some of the things I see happen in the Blackhills for instance. Over the past 10 years that has gotten sliced and diced and it’s pretty much ruined much of the area. I looked at parcels of land that had no utilities and most of the hills are pure rock. They were selling acreages on top of rock with no developed utilities for 50K an acre in some cases. You can easily spend that much just getting water and septic. Don’t assume you can successfully get a well either. Solar water pumps have limitations also.
Click to expand...


..i was hoping you'd chime in, had a feeling you had some experience in this.
 
D

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,383
12,799
78
Cruel Halo said:
About 20ish years ago I bought acreage in Colorado adjacent to 1,000s of acres of BLM land. I am in the sticks and around 6,700 ft.

Electricity: solar
Water: captured then filtered and a hit or miss well
Sewage: septic system
Click to expand...
Do they make you capture and haul your sewage like the Blackhills does in some cases now?
 
Cruel Halo

Cruel Halo

All-Conference
Jun 27, 2003
6,553
1,644
97
HuskerInCarolina said:
Do you ever have any issues with solar on long periods of overcast or bad weather? I’ve never had solar as a primary source before, besides for things out in the garden and coop/barn. Though one day I’ll run an actual electric line out there lol maybe.
Click to expand...
We had our moments back in the day but we have a fairly robust battery bank which was upgraded to LifePo4 battery racks. We can monitor it from amywhere in the world. Snow fall is an issue when we're not there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HuskerInCarolina and litespeedhuskerfan
litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
Land in SD or CO or Montana sounds great but we think we'd use and enjoy it more if its within an hour(ish) of where we reside (Gretna). But I envy people that have land/cabins in those places.
 
Baxter48

Baxter48

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2015
1,179
1,411
103
litespeedhuskerfan said:
..say somebody found the perfect 10 acre lot that butts up to a private lake (ie-way out in the country), and there are already 2 other homes around said lake so you know somebody figured this out...

...and i don't need an old tesrament bible length explanation on this, just some highlights...

What are they doing for power, sewer, water?

..50% of me thinks it would never be more than a place to park a camper for short stays so none of this would matter..

...but if one wanted to build something more permanent.

Drill a well for water, septic system? Is that normally how its dun? What do you do for power? Local power company comes out and tells ya what they need to do and you hire them? Is it that "simple"?
Click to expand...
How long do you intend to stay? here are some numbers you should consider, drilling a domestic well in Nebraska is roughly $30 a cased foot, then you have a pressure system with submersible pump when I did my well and pressure system in 2019 well at 160 feet deep pressure system with submersible pump was right at $10,000. From what I understand a new septic system is roughly $30,000 since you have to have a laterals after the septic tank, unless you dig a some pit similar to a sewer system. Just depends on your state regulations. again in Nebraska rural power lines will charge you to bring power to your house Unless the line goes right by your property. at one time Norris public power charge around $10,000 to build a quarter mile of power line. I have a backup generator 18 kw which runs my house with no problem you’ll need a propane tank to supply fuel unless you go bigger then go diesel, stay away from a gasoline generator unless you use it regularly but it gets old filling it up every 6 hours
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nuts McClanahan, Wasker73, HuskerInCarolina and 2 others
litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
Cruel Halo said:
You are absolutely correct. We moved back to FLA from TX and now CO is too much. Will likely sell in in the spring.
Click to expand...


...buddy of mine has a cabin in Red Lodge, he gets there twice a year. 13hr drive. He'd never admit it, but I wonder if he doesn't regret doing something closer. As we age thats a pretty big drive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cruel Halo
litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
Baxter48 said:
How long do you intend to stay? here are some numbers you should consider, drilling a domestic well in Nebraska is roughly $30 a cased foot, then you have a pressure system with submersible pump when I did my well and pressure system in 2019 well at 160 feet deep pressure system with submersible pump was right at $10,000. From what I understand a new septic system is roughly $30,000 since you have to have a laterals after the septic tank, unless you dig a some pit similar to a sewer system. Just depends on your state regulations. again in Nebraska rural power lines will charge you to bring power to your house Unless the line goes right by your property. at one time Norris public power charge around $10,000 to build a quarter mile of power line. I have a backup generator 18 kw which runs my house with no problem you’ll need a propane tank to supply fuel unless you go bigger then go diesel, stay away from a gasoline generator unless you use it regularly but it gets old filling it up every 6 hours
Click to expand...


...this is exactly why i'm asking. Thanks for sharing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Baxter48
S

Streamer15

Freshman
Jun 21, 2023
495
96
28
litespeedhuskerfan said:
Land in SD or CO or Montana sounds great but we think we'd use and enjoy it more if its within an hour(ish) of where we reside (Gretna). But I envy people that have land/cabins in those places.
Click to expand...
If you find you can deal with the distance, northern Michigan has a lot to offer. You get a lot of bang for your buck as well. I just sold roughly 10 acres with frontage on a great trout stream for 190k.
 
  • Like
Reactions: litespeedhuskerfan
litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
...probably don't have the constitution to go thru a build. If we do something we'll prolly angle for sometbing already dun, or with the idea its part time with a camper, but wanted to ask. I knew several poeple in here would have first hand knowledge.
 
H

HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,175
3,525
113
litespeedhuskerfan said:
..say somebody found the perfect 10 acre lot that butts up to a private lake (ie-way out in the country), and there are already 2 other homes around said lake so you know somebody figured this out...

...and i don't need an old tesrament bible length explanation on this, just some highlights...

What are they doing for power, sewer, water?

..50% of me thinks it would never be more than a place to park a camper for short stays so none of this would matter..

...but if one wanted to build something more permanent.

Drill a well for water, septic system? Is that normally how its dun? What do you do for power? Local power company comes out and tells ya what they need to do and you hire them? Is it that "simple"?
Click to expand...
So is there power there currently or how are the houses getting electricity? First is to get power. Power company will be able to help you with that as far as easement etc. They will build up to the transformer/meter pole. From there on it's your responsibility. Power company probably won't do that for free most generally. Probably best you can hope for is 50/50.

Then next priority would be well unless rural water available. Then septic would come last
 
Husker.Wed._rivals

Husker.Wed._rivals

All-Conference
Feb 13, 2004
17,648
3,699
98
We worked with an honest builder on an estimate to build on a parcel we were considering buying in SW Iowa. He laid out the cost for drilling one well (sometimes the driller has to try a different place or two), septic system, 1000 gallon propane tank, and the biggie - electrical hook up. Then there was a long concrete driveway if we didn't want to come home on muddy gravel and tree/stump removal and grading. It was overwhelming, so we gave up on the idea of building and bought an existing house.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SuperBigFan69 and litespeedhuskerfan
Cruel Halo

Cruel Halo

All-Conference
Jun 27, 2003
6,553
1,644
97
Streamer15 said:
If you find you can deal with the distance, northern Michigan has a lot to offer. You get a lot of bang for your buck as well. I just sold roughly 10 acres with frontage on a great trout stream for 190k.
Click to expand...

Oh ya the UP is bad ***. All along SR 2 is so cool... at least it used to be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Streamer15
B

BigRedBeliever

Senior
Aug 24, 2004
865
463
63
Visit with the neighbors face to face. They usually tell you everything about the utilities and surrounding areas.

Use Starlink. It works wonderfully when were out camping around the country...unless you have a lot of trees to go through.

You will need your own septic tank. An aerobic system works the best.

Getting power is the most important fact you need to know. See if there are power lines out on the road and you can usually get poles and wire strung to your site.

Use propane for heating source.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ct husker and WrongWayJoe
SuperBigFan69

SuperBigFan69

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2021
4,415
4,006
113
litespeedhuskerfan said:
...buddy of mine has a cabin in Red Lodge, he gets there twice a year. 13hr drive. He'd never admit it, but I wonder if he doesn't regret doing something closer. As we age thats a pretty big drive.
Click to expand...
Trust me, he is admitting it by only going twice a year.

You have the right idea, you want to be able to hop in your car (well, now I am picturing a bad *** truck) after work on Friday and be at your place by 6-7pm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: litespeedhuskerfan
Champs 70-71-94-95-97

Champs 70-71-94-95-97

Senior
Aug 17, 2010
3,987
517
113
I would contact the local well and septic contractors. The well guys would likley already know the depth and water quality of the area. The septic guys would come and do a perk test, that would tell you what kind of septic system would be required (lagoon vs laterals). I did this 20+ years ago...
 
  • Like
Reactions: WHCSC and litespeedhuskerfan
B

BigRedBeliever

Senior
Aug 24, 2004
865
463
63
litespeedhuskerfan said:
..say somebody found the perfect 10 acre lot that butts up to a private lake (ie-way out in the country), and there are already 2 other homes around said lake so you know somebody figured this out...

...and i don't need an old tesrament bible length explanation on this, just some highlights...

What are they doing for power, sewer, water?

..50% of me thinks it would never be more than a place to park a camper for short stays so none of this would matter..

...but if one wanted to build something more permanent.

Drill a well for water, septic system? Is that normally how its dun? What do you do for power? Local power company comes out and tells ya what they need to do and you hire them? Is it that "simple"?
Click to expand...
Think about going camping either full time or seasonal. We like in Texas and I hate the summer heat. That is why we headed to Montana last year. We average about $100 a day with fuel and camp fees. They already have the power, electric and sewer at most campsites. If you're adventurous, try dry camping but be prepared to take some unpaved roads. We're about to head to Arizona from DFW. Its cold here in February and I never thought I would be a snow bird. You have to be a little bit mechanically inclined to be a camper to fix things as well as set up and tear down camp. But I don't mind. We get to see different places and even visited six national parks last year. Sorry if this isn't what you're looking for.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WHCSC and dinglefritz
D

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,383
12,799
78
litespeedhuskerfan said:
...buddy of mine has a cabin in Red Lodge, he gets there twice a year. 13hr drive. He'd never admit it, but I wonder if he doesn't regret doing something closer. As we age thats a pretty big drive.
Click to expand...
I’ve looked for a place in Wyoming or the Blackhills for 20 years. I just came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t use it enough and when I did all I would do is work. Missed out on some opportunities by being cheap. Decided staying at Jackson Lake Lodge in the Tetons or Sylvan Lake Lodge in the Hills was a better plan. Let somebody else do the work. I have my farm and my house near town sits on an acreage overlooking the Missouri. Don’t really need a cabin to take care of.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nuts McClanahan, WHCSC and litespeedhuskerfan
D

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,383
12,799
78
litespeedhuskerfan said:
...this is exactly why i'm asking. Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...
Last well we drilled was 140 ft and cost me all in with casing, pump and submersed pressure tank about 15k. Don’t remember the septic system cost but 5K sticks in my head. I do know small contractors that I’ve know for years though so I probably paid less than some might. My plumber’s mom was a friend of mine from church.
 
litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2006
1,446
2,483
113
dinglefritz said:
I’ve looked for a place in Wyoming or the Blackhills for 20 years. I just came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t use it enough and when I did all I would do is work. Missed out on some opportunities by being cheap. Decided staying at Jackson Lake Lodge in the Tetons or Sylvan Lake Lodge in the Hills was a better plan. Let somebody else do the work. I have my farm and my house near town sits on an acreage overlooking the Missouri. Don’t really need a cabin to take care of.
Click to expand...


We definitely would never buy anything out-of-state for all those reasons you listed.. let somebody else do all the work.Just go enjoy it for a short time...lock the door and leave. Thats how we do it.

Honestly, the most fun I have every year is loadin up the mtn bike and sleeping in the back of my truck under the stars in the Rocky mountains. Last year I did the black hills as well. I love traveling to cool places and mountain biking, but I don't have any interest in trying to maintain a cabin 8, 9 or 10 hours away...fukc that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dinglefritz and WHCSC
D

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,383
12,799
78
BigRedBeliever said:
Think about going camping either full time or seasonal. We like in Texas and I hate the summer heat. That is why we headed to Montana last year. We average about $100 a day with fuel and camp fees. They already have the power, electric and sewer at most campsites. If you're adventurous, try dry camping but be prepared to take some unpaved roads. We're about to head to Arizona from DFW. Its cold here in February and I never thought I would be a snow bird. You have to be a little bit mechanically inclined to be a camper to fix things as well as set up and tear down camp. But I don't mind. We get to see different places and even visited six national parks last year. Sorry if this isn't what you're looking for.
Click to expand...
Camping is a LOT of work and personally I’m not a fan of millions of people pulling their house down the road. It’s often the only way to get a spot to stay in Yellowstone though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nuts McClanahan, BigRedBeliever and litespeedhuskerfan
SuperBigFan69

SuperBigFan69

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2021
4,415
4,006
113
litespeedhuskerfan said:
We definitely would never buy anything out-of-state for all those reasons you listed.. let somebody else do all the work.Just go enjoy it for a short time...lock the door and leave. Thats how we do it.

Honestly, the most fun I have every year is loadin up the mtn bike and sleeping in the back of my truck under the stars in the Rocky mountains. Last year I did the black hills as well. I love traveling to cool places and mountain biking, but I don't have any interest in trying to maintain a cabin 8, 9 or 10 hours away...fukc that.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure they prefer to be called "African American Hills"
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: SeaOfRed75 and dinglefritz
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom