Yeah, those site prep costs can really sneak up and kill the dream budget. I’ve seen folks get surprised by things like retaining walls, drainage, or even just hauling in extra fill. Flag lots can be a decent workaround, but sometimes utilities are a pain to run out there. Did you guys run into any unexpected utility hookup fees, or was it mostly grading and access that blew up the numbers?
Utility hookups were definitely the big surprise for us. I’d budgeted for basic trenching and connection fees, but didn’t realize the water district had a “capacity charge” that added a few thousand dollars. Power was another headache—since we’re at the end of a private drive, the electric company charged extra per foot past their standard drop. Grading was pricey too, but at least that was somewhat predictable based on the topo survey. Anyone else get hit with those weird one-time utility fees? I wish I’d asked more questions up front.
Title: Looking for affordable land—any hidden gems?
Honestly, I think those one-time utility fees are just part of the deal if you’re buying raw land. Surprised me too at first, but I’ve learned to expect them. Sometimes it’s actually cheaper to buy a lot that already has utilities in place, even if the land costs more up front. Those “hidden” costs add up fast.
I used to think raw land was a steal until I started mapping out all the little things—water, septic, electric. It’s wild how fast those “extras” snowball. I’m a sucker for a good deal, but honestly, sometimes that ready-to-build lot is just less of a headache. If you’re dreaming of a custom build, factor in not just the price tag but the time and hassle too... trust me, it adds up.
I used to think raw land was a steal until I started mapping out all the little things—water, septic, electric.
Totally get what you mean. When I started looking, I thought raw land would be my ticket to saving big, but—like you said—those “extras” eat up the budget fast.
- Septic alone can be a wild card. My cousin spent almost as much on that as the land itself.
- Power poles? Not cheap. And sometimes you’re stuck waiting months for the hookup.
- Clearing trees, driveways, permits... it adds up way faster than I expected.
Sometimes a “ready-to-build” lot really is worth the premium, especially if you’re not into wrangling contractors for every little thing. Still, if you love a blank canvas and don’t mind hustling, raw land can be fun—but man, it’s work.
