Lot Surveys: A Boring—But Really Important—Step
Lot Surveys: A Boring—But Really Important—Step
You know, when I first set out to document our journey of building this house, I told Mark I wanted to share both our story and all the ins-and-outs people never talk about. Usually, it’s easy for me to find a topic to write about—something always seems to pop up that makes a good story. But for the lot survey, I honestly drew a blank at first.
I mean, it’s a survey. They mark your lot lines, then stake out where your house will sit. We already had a plot plan, so in my mind, it didn’t seem like some big, dramatic moment.
Well, turns out I was wrong. Don't go telling Mark I admitted that though 🤣
The Mystery of the Stakes
The day came when Mark asked if I wanted to tag along to see exactly where the house was staked. Of course, I said yes—any excuse for a car ride with my husband. I had no idea this little field trip would turn into such a saga.
The minute we arrived, Mark looked around and went, “Something’s off here.” He’s like a bloodhound—he can sniff out a problem from a mile away, or maybe he’s just been doing this long enough to know when something doesn’t line up.
Sure enough, the stakes showed our future home sitting way closer to the road than we wanted. Mark and I both like our privacy, so we want the house set back as far as possible. So he paces around, measuring tape in hand, muttering under his breath, trying to figure out where the mistake happened.
Plot Plans: The “On Paper” Version
Before I go further: a plot plan basically shows the outline of your property and where you’re placing the house, outbuildings, ponds—everything. We had one (cue me pulling it out like a proud mom at a dance recital), but clearly something on the ground wasn’t matching up with what we’d seen on paper.
The 33-Foot Mix-Up
Then it clicked for Mark: when your lot is surveyed, they measure from the center of the road (to account for the county’s easement). We, on the other hand, had staked the house from the north line. That 33-foot difference doesn’t sound huge—but it is when you picture your dream home basically kissing the street.
No big deal, right? Mistakes happen. Honestly, that’s why Mark insists on physically walking the site once it’s staked. You can catch these little “uh-oh” moments before they become expensive regrets.
Seeing the Lot Come to Life
For me, this is where building a house really starts to feel tangible. You stand on the land and actually see where your life is about to unfold. Our property line was a lot farther into what I thought was the neighbor’s lot. Surprise! We also realized we wanted the house shifted another 15 feet to the west.
Yeah, it was a few more adjustments. But you know what? I felt good because Mark knew exactly how to fix it. That’s the beauty of working with someone who’s been around the block (or the lot?) a few times. He’s always got about six different ways to solve whatever snag we hit.
Why a Survey Matters
Turns out lot surveys—while mostly “meh” on the excitement scale—are kind of everything. Seeing your home’s footprint staked out gives you a preview of how it’ll actually look and feel. On paper, it’s all theoretical. In person, you can really sense, “Oh, this is where our living room will be,” or, “Nope, that’s too close to the neighbor’s yard.”
As I stood there in the middle of our property, that song “Buy Dirt” kept playing in my head. It’s so true: you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy land, put a house on it, fill that house with love and memories—and that’s pretty darn close to happiness if you ask me.
What’s Next?
Now we’re waiting on permits so we can get that driveway in and finally start digging. It feels like a bottleneck—so much pressure and anticipation building up, ready to explode into action. But here’s the thing: the foundation isn’t really where the process begins, not in building and definitely not in life. Do you want something strong and long-lasting? You start with the end in mind.
It’s easy to get swept away by the glamorous stuff—like your dream kitchen cabinets (guilty as charged!). But those shiny details won’t mean much if the groundwork isn’t done right. While Mark was plotting out the entire lot, I was busy mentally installing my new cabinets—classic case of missing the “boring” steps that actually shape everything in the long run. We all do it. That’s why it’s so crucial to have the bigger vision before you break ground.
See the big picture. Plan for it. Then enjoy the excitement of picking countertops and floor tiles, knowing you’ve built on a rock-solid foundation. That’s the lesson I’m taking from this adventure—and I hope it’s a reminder that in both building and life, the deeper planning often outlasts the sparkly stuff we tend to obsess over first.
So that’s our little surveying excursion in a nutshell. Thanks for hanging out, and stay tuned—things are about to get really real when the digging begins!
Cassie,
The Builder’s Wife
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