Many of the things you need to check in an existing home also apply to choosing an empty section. 

• What are the facilities like?  How far is the section from local shops, playgrounds or transport?
• How much sun does the site get?  Will this change at different times of the year?
• Is it exposed to winds or sheltered?
• How private is it?
• Is there good drainage?
• What is the soil like?  Is it sandy or clay, (both of which have their own challenges in terms of foundations, landscaping and gardening)?
• What is the access to the section like?
• What services are connected to the site (e.g. water, sewage, power and phone)?  If these are not yet connected, will you have to pay for this?
• What are the neighbours and neighbourhood like?  Is it quiet or noisy?  Are there young families?  What is the ‘feel’ of the area?

Ask your local authority if they have any information about the area, and your site specifically, including a Project Information Memorandum (PIM).  This has useful information including whether there is any risk of erosion, flooding or anything else you should know in advance.

Before deciding on a section, get an architect or builder to look at it and confirm it is suitable for the home you want to build.  It may not be large enough or it may have other characteristics that may rule it out, and it’s far better to know this before you buy it.  You may also need to consult an engineer if there is doubt about the suitability of the section for the kind of home you want to build. 

Next step | 2. Choose an architect or designer >>