Looking at building a homestead

gdhillon · Oct 14, 2024

I’m looking at building a new house.

Two lots I’m looking at are very different, ones in a new subdivision in the city (city connections etc) the other is regional districts (requires a well etc) and an acreage with no neighbours close

I have a working list of pros and cons to both. I’ve never really lived anywhere with a well and septic/lagoon (with exception of a trailer park in sechelt for work). What is the collectives opinion on city connections as opposed to well and my own septic, garbage disposal etc? I am fairly certain there’s a number of y’all that live outside of the city. Wondering if I can hear pros and cons to the two that y’all have encountered

Things that have come back so far in my research are the cost of installing a well and regularly checking/testing. And maint on a septic field

Also, I will be the GC on the project, I do have family in Van that develops which is an invaluable resource but all their projects have city connections down there

Thanks in advance!

pipes · Oct 14, 2024

It all boils down to what yo put your priorities on. The peace and quiet of the regional development or the neighbors constantly watching what you are doing.

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

CIty is close to amedities and women.

Country is a nice quite place to raise a family. But you might need to drive for 20 mins to get a coffee.

As a single guy, no way i want to live out in the sticks.

But Im lucky enough to have a city place and a family farm to store chit and go piss around with guns and 4x4s. Ext

Its nice to have both i guess.

The big greasy · Oct 14, 2024

lilduke said:
CIty is close to amedities and women.

Country is a nice quite place to raise a family. But you might need to drive for 20 mins to get a coffee.

As a single guy, no way i want to live out in the sticks.

But Im lucky enough to have a city place and a family farm to store chit and go piss around with guns and 4x4s. Ext

Its nice to have both i guess.

Bush chicks are eager to please lol. Not much competition in the sticks lol.

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

The big greasy said:
Bush chicks are eager to please lol. Not much competition in the sticks lol.

Not much for choices either lmao

The big greasy · Oct 14, 2024

lilduke said:
Not much for choices either lmao

Nope, but when you do find one look out lolol.

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

The big greasy said:
Nope, but when you do find one look out lolol.

I grew up on a farm and the only girls within 5 miles looked like donkeys lol

The big greasy · Oct 14, 2024

lilduke said:
I grew up on a farm and the only girls within 5 miles looked like donkeys lol

Beauty is a light switch away…

Chump · Oct 14, 2024

Hopefully getting on an acreage this spring. Currently working on plans and getting ready to list! Hopefully the right lot comes along

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

The big greasy said:
Beauty is a light switch away…

I guess. Im just saying the city does have some advantages. Otherwise no one would live there. It has draw backs too.

If your 15mins from the city, is different then being an hour out also.

Cableguy · Oct 14, 2024

in pg most the septic systems are lagoons so i don't think as costly as fields and pipe
My nephew has a cst company there if you need any help NPC

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

Did a septic field a few years ago. Was 27g and needed to be rapaired 1 year later due to a broken pipe, and buddy wouldnt warrantry it.

pano-dude · Oct 14, 2024

lilduke said:
Did a septic field a few years ago. Was 27g and needed to be rapaired 1 year later due to a broken pipe, and buddy wouldnt warrantry it.

That's sucks, I thought septic guys are supposed to warranty for life of the system. That's why the big cost. Otherwise doing a system is pretty simple, not alot of materials other than a tank and perforated pipe, sand gravel.

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

pano-dude said:
That's sucks, I thought septic guys are supposed to warranty for life of the system. That's why the big cost. Otherwise doing a system is pretty simple, not alot of materials other than a tank and perforated pipe, sand gravel.

Ya.not this guy lol. Not a lot of options in our area though. Yep not too complicated to build, but It needed to be inspected the first time. Buddy did the inspection himself.

Dad bought a mini hoe and fixed it.

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

Thats rural alberta prices too. Vancouver area, holy fuk look out.

pano-dude · Oct 14, 2024

A well can cost big money depending on the area, around me most are 4-500ft. Cost is around $100/ ft to set up.
I did a new cystern, pump in well, variable speed pump in tank on an existing well and it was $15k.
I wouldn't move back into town. Enjoy having space for all my junk and no neighbors to listen to.
My septic system plugged up one year, found the splitter box and it was full of solids. Cleaned it out and it's been fine.
Less taxes than in town
Definitely more work than a town lot.
Depending on location a snowplow will be needed and sand pile or finding a reliable contractor.
Having fresh eggs, home grow meat and veggies is worth the extra labour to me.

pano-dude · Oct 14, 2024

lilduke said:
Ya.not this guy lol. Not a lot of options in our area though. Yep not too complicated to build, but It needed to be inpected the first time. Buddy did the inspection himself.

Dad bought a mini hoe and fixed it himself.

If he is certified I'd be calling the governing association.

Lunch_Box · Oct 14, 2024

If it was me I would be going further out. Im about 10 minutes outside of Edmonton right now, 5 minutes to Beaumont and I wish I had more land and further away. We have a spetic system and in the 5 years only issue we had was the line from holding tank to treatment tank freezing last winter. Company came and did a temporary fix in the winter and then sorted it in the spring. But we haven't had to touch our system at all. Cant comment on the well as we truck water in. Garbage disposal is pretty simple our way; you can either hire a private company to come get your trash or tank it to the county transfer station. I do the latter, every 2 weeks just do a quick dump run.

lilduke · Oct 14, 2024

pano-dude said:
If he is certified I'd be calling the governing association.

Im sure there is recourse you could take.

But thats not what he did.

arff · Oct 14, 2024

We have both currently, live in the City and have a farm with house. It has a well and septic system. Its agricutural land

Depending on how many acres some Counties allow pump outs and septic fields.

Some areas dont allow drilled wells or septic systems.

Check the area your intested in to find the rules.

Are you thinking rural residential or acricutural land.

Looking at building a homestead

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