Purchasing land

Factors to consider before purchasing land :

LAND SURVEY

Are the boundaries clearly marked?

• Check the area suitable for development;
• Check if the site is prone to flooding;
• Check the site is free from encumbrances.

PERC TEST

• Contact a certified specialist in purification and permeability testing.

SOIL TEST

Excavator-geologist

• Assess whether soil composition is normal or not
• Check groundwater

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

• Contact your Municipality

LAND CLEARANCE

• Establish which trees need to be cleared and the areas which need cleaning up

ENTRANCE AND ACCESS TO THE LAND

• Work out the distance between the road and the house
• Determine the work required (pipe-laying, gravel, etc.)

WELL

• Check the depth

ELECTRICITY

• Check that services are available.

OTHER POINTS

ELEVATION / EMBANKMENT WORK

• Will supporting walls be needed?
• Does the land require embankment work (this can increase construction costs by 10 to 20%)

HIDDEN POLLUTION

• Is the land contaminated?
• Is the seller providing you with any guarantee in this regard?

ACT OF PURCHASE

• Include a cancellation clause in the event that that these various points are not met satisfactorily

SELLER’S NOTARY

• Find out the cost