Looking at building a homestead

MP Kid · Oct 14, 2024

In my area there is becoming more and more acreages. Landowner retires and farm yard gets subdivided, or people flat out chunk up odd shaped land.

Either way… the older the yard gets, the less prosperous the owner becomes, and the property becomes run down. The going joke in the area is when the yard becomes an acreage, that’s when the junk shows up.

Most people simply don’t have the time nor the means to look after a rural property.
If any part of your decision is concerning how much it may cost you, then you probably can’t afford it …

mclean · Oct 14, 2024

It's a lot more work having an acreage and you have to plan ahead and make shopping lists so you're not driving into town 4x when you forget something.

Other than that, I would never go back. I can ride in my yard, have fires, shoot, drink, piss or whatever and I don't have crazy neighbours yelling.

S.W.A.T. · Oct 14, 2024

As someone who has lived rural the majority of my life and I am certified in septic and water well drilling, I can break it down for you a bit. First get the notion that living out of town will save you money, it doesn't. Secondly it's a lifestyle (depending on the size of the land and intended use). Some just like privacy others want to go broke trying to farm on 5 acres.

Septic: Not sure about where you are looking to build but in BC very few places even allow for a lagoon anymore, pretty much just the NW corner of the province. It will be 10k just for the approval stamp, plus equipment time and materials. I do warranty all my installs unless it's homeowner abuse after the fact ie- running a tractor across the drain field or piling snow on the sand mound. I don't do many because there is lots of competition and I will only do a job right so I don't have to come back. Many homeowners think this is a place to save money and it's not. Depending on your system, lagoon, field, sand mound treatment plant etc the maintenance will vary but most are not complicated, get it cleaned out every year or two depending on use, don't let the girls flush paper towels or tampons and your usually hassle free.

Water well: alberta rates are lower than BC, not sure why but they are. We charge 100/ft with a 90ft minimum. The first 100ft are gonna run you approximately 15k with screen and development. There are a few other consumables but that's a pretty accurate number. Keep in mind that's also before pump installation, pressure tank etc. I warranty anything I put in the well, casing, liner etc unless it's homeowner abuse again. Keep in mind we cannot guarantee water or quality but dry holes aren't overly common depending on your area. Be leary of anyone who "guarantees" you water or anything else in life. Depending on volume and quality your maintenance will very as well with filtering, UV, softener ect. and also what your intentions are. Example: I have more water than I know what to do with but the quality isn't great, hi manganese, so we don't drink it but works fine for showering and toilets and gardens. If your quality samples come back poor and you want to drink the water filtering systems can cost big money but so does hooking up to city services and the extra tax money.

Everything can be relative and it's up to the homeowners what route to go but septic and water are 2 places you don't want to try and get a better deal on. Honestly most reputable septic and water guys won't even deal with tire kickers.

Hope that helps, any questions feel free to message me

ABMax24 · Oct 14, 2024

I grew up on a smaller acreage, but currently live in the city.

I loved the acreage, having space to do whatever was awesome, also helped that we backed onto crown land and had that in our backyard too. It costs more though, honestly from where we live now and what we bought our house for it would cost us at least double in monthly housing expenses to move to an acreage. And it's more work, but mowing the lawn gets quick if you have a big enough mower, and focusing on low maintenance trees and landscaping pays off eventually. Sometimes sucks as a kid though, you get stuck hanging out with the neighbor kids (if you even have any) as eventually mom and dad get sick of running back and forth to town all the time, although there's always something outside to do.

The city works, I'm 12 minutes back and forth to work. Groceries and Costco only take an hour to do. House insurance is cheaper, and way less un-expected costs to deal to worry about. But no privacy, and always listening to some douche in their straight piped diesel that figures our neighborhood streets should double as a drag strip at 1:00am.

Our plan is to eventually get back out of the city and on to more land, probably have another 5 years before that happens though.

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

lilduke said:
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.

Yea, where in looking is just outside of city. So maybe 20mins from work with lots of traffic

I am single but I would love the piece and quite. And as noted above no neighbours a spitting distance beside me would be pretty ideal

My biggest ‘worry’ being septic, garbage, water and getting a backup genny set up in case of outages.

Perhaps I could look at solar/genny backup. I know there’s a thread on here that goes over backup gennys quite extensively I will have to do some digging and re educate myself on the topic

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

Cableguy said:
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

Thanks man, he has a pretty slick website

Will reach out when I get further in the process, thanks!

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

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

My family that does residential developments is in Van, I am using the fam as mentors , my uncle used to build up here but that was always in the city.

I’m located in PG and am looking just outside of city limits

gdhillon · Oct 15, 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 inspected the first time. Buddy did the inspection himself.

Dad bought a mini hoe and fixed it.

Man all that sucks, besides an excuse to buy a mini lol

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

pano-dude said:
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.

Yea, would be nice to get a small amount of livestock.

Prob just chickens and a nice green house

I really like the idea of being able to live independent of Costco/grocery stores

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

arff said:
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.

I am not sure what a pump out is, I shall do more research on that

that is a good call, I’ll check the RD webpage

Id say it’s rural residential, however the parcel is currently being taxed at ‘farm rate’ from what I’m told

From my research on that I’d just need to move 10k a year to keep inside the confines of that tax code

lilduke · Oct 15, 2024

gdhillon said:
My family that does residential developments is in Van, I am using the fam as mentors , my uncle used to build up here but that was always in the city.

I’m located in PG and am looking just outside of city limits

Thats a good asset to have for sure.

We do commercial construction in Van.
Its pricey compared to Alberta.

Besides the utilities, everything else is generally easier in the county from my experience.

In the city it can take years to get permits and aprovals some times.

PG probably isnt as bad as Van, or Calgary though.

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

MP Kid said:
In my area there is becoming more and more acreages. Landowner retires and farm yard gets subdivided, or people flat out chunk up odd shaped land.

Either way… the older the yard gets, the less prosperous the owner becomes, and the property becomes run down. The going joke in the area is when the yard becomes an acreage, that’s when the junk shows up.

Most people simply don’t have the time nor the means to look after a rural property.
If any part of your decision is concerning how much it may cost you, then you probably can’t afford it …

I see what you’re saying there, and I do appreciate your input

I am on a fact finding mission to see what a septic field/lagoon are and if it’s astronomical then city-life would win

lilduke · Oct 15, 2024

gdhillon said:
Yea, where in looking is just outside of city. So maybe 20mins from work with lots of traffic

I am single but I would love the piece and quite. And as noted above no neighbours a spitting distance beside me would be pretty ideal

My biggest ‘worry’ being septic, garbage, water and getting a backup genny set up in case of outages.

Perhaps I could look at solar/genny backup. I know there’s a thread on here that goes over backup gennys quite extensively I will have to do some digging and re educate myself on the topic

Im addicted to auctions. Lol check em out. Some times you can get stuff like back up generators dirt cheap...

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

S.W.A.T. said:
As someone who has lived rural the majority of my life and I am certified in septic and water well drilling, I can break it down for you a bit. First get the notion that living out of town will save you money, it doesn't. Secondly it's a lifestyle (depending on the size of the land and intended use). Some just like privacy others want to go broke trying to farm on 5 acres.

Septic: Not sure about where you are looking to build but in BC very few places even allow for a lagoon anymore, pretty much just the NW corner of the province. It will be 10k just for the approval stamp, plus equipment time and materials. I do warranty all my installs unless it's homeowner abuse after the fact ie- running a tractor across the drain field or piling snow on the sand mound. I don't do many because there is lots of competition and I will only do a job right so I don't have to come back. Many homeowners think this is a place to save money and it's not. Depending on your system, lagoon, field, sand mound treatment plant etc the maintenance will vary but most are not complicated, get it cleaned out every year or two depending on use, don't let the girls flush paper towels or tampons and your usually hassle free.

Water well: alberta rates are lower than BC, not sure why but they are. We charge 100/ft with a 90ft minimum. The first 100ft are gonna run you approximately 15k with screen and development. There are a few other consumables but that's a pretty accurate number. Keep in mind that's also before pump installation, pressure tank etc. I warranty anything I put in the well, casing, liner etc unless it's homeowner abuse again. Keep in mind we cannot guarantee water or quality but dry holes aren't overly common depending on your area. Be leary of anyone who "guarantees" you water or anything else in life. Depending on volume and quality your maintenance will very as well with filtering, UV, softener ect. and also what your intentions are. Example: I have more water than I know what to do with but the quality isn't great, hi manganese, so we don't drink it but works fine for showering and toilets and gardens. If your quality samples come back poor and you want to drink the water filtering systems can cost big money but so does hooking up to city services and the extra tax money.

Everything can be relative and it's up to the homeowners what route to go but septic and water are 2 places you don't want to try and get a better deal on. Honestly most reputable septic and water guys won't even deal with tire kickers.

Hope that helps, any questions feel free to message me

Thanks man, that is a great help!

I appreciate you offering to message as well!!

You’re out of Smithers? (I’m in pg)

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

lilduke said:
Thats a good asset to have for sure.

We do comercial construction in Van.
Its pricey compared to Alberta.

Besides the utilities, everything else is generally easier in the county from my experience.

In the city it can take years to get permits and aprovals some times.

PG is probably isnt as bad as Van, or Calgary though.

Yea man for sure!

That’s cool man, ya when I hear them talk about how much the city charges for a permit I almost have a heart attack lol. Don’t even get me started on how much residential lots are haha

gdhillon · Oct 15, 2024

lilduke said:
Im addicted to auctions. Lol check em out. Some times you can get stuff like back up generators dirt cheap...

Man I grew up around a local auction in PG every other Thursday my dad and I would be there.

I likely got some lung issues from all the second hand smoke but was fun spending time with the old man

Are you talking RB?

The closest to me for RB from my understanding is GP I believe and lower mainland

I’m on FB marketplace a lot and kijji haha

lilduke · Oct 15, 2024

gdhillon said:
Man I grew up around a local auction in PG every other Thursday my dad and I would be there.

I likely got some lung issues from all the second hand smoke but was fun spending time with the old man

Are you talking RB?

The closest to me for RB from my understanding is GP I believe and lower mainland

I’m on FB marketplace a lot and kijji haha

Ive been doing Team Auctions online.

I find they have better prices than RB.

They have real estate auctions to.

could have bought residential lots in Fairview by GP last week for 5g.

Catman10 · Oct 15, 2024

A proper septic field has to be installed by a qualified installer and will run anywhere from 25-40 k depending on the person, much involved to get everything done properly. I build fibreglass septic tanks and have come up with a solution for those who cannot afford a septic field, I call it my "Redneck system". If you put in a holding tank that a truck will come and suck out it is a very simple process and an easy permit, once it is accepted by your inspector, I then have a system that you drop down the manway of my tank, bolt it in and install a pump and whallaa you just pump your grey water into your trees or grass etc, its not a legal system but there is nothing wrong fertilizing some bush, the government has made it so expensive for people with all the tests and requirements, its overkill forsure.

arff · Oct 15, 2024

gdhillon said:
I am not sure what a pump out is, I shall do more research on that

that is a good call, I’ll check the RD webpage

Id say it’s rural residential, however the parcel is currently being taxed at ‘farm rate’ from what I’m told

From my research on that I’d just need to move 10k a year to keep inside the confines of that tax code

Farm status

Guidelines for obtaining farm status in Alberta.

www.alberta.ca

For the municipality they will need to have the property in agricultural production for it to be taxed at the farm property tax rate. If the property is assessed in a different class, for example, country residential the annual tax bill will be higher. More information on property taxes can be obtained for your county or municipal district office.

For income tax purposes the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) you are a farmer if you claim income from farming activity. To be considered a full-time farmer however the farm income will be compared to any off-farm income - if the off-farm income is higher the individual will only be eligible to only claim part of any farming losses against their other income. In addition the farm business must show a potential for profitability.

Let me know if you need more information. We deal with this a lot.

Dazzler · Oct 15, 2024

Catman10 said:
A proper septic field has to be installed by a qualified installer and will run anywhere from 25-40 k depending on the person, much involved to get everything done properly. I build fibreglass septic tanks and have come up with a solution for those who cannot afford a septic field, I call it my "Redneck system". If you put in a holding tank that a truck will come and suck out it is a very simple process and an easy permit, once it is accepted by your inspector, I then have a system that you drop down the manway of my tank, bolt it in and install a pump and whallaa you just pump your grey water into your trees or grass etc, its not a legal system but there is nothing wrong fertilizing some bush, the government has made it so expensive for people with all the tests and requirements, its overkill forsure.

Not sure BC rules but depending on property boundary’s, creeks, streams, and lay of the land, pumpout system permits are easy to get here in AB... Check water table in the area, as fibreglass tanks tend to want to float up.. local installer will likely know
In AB, you cannot get a building permit without a certified septic design, be it pumpout, pipe and gravel, sand mound, and you are right, holding tank being the cheapest. Pretty sure BC is the same.. my father in law used to live on the island, they (not sure who they were) would check on how regular the pumpout trucks came to pump his tank. Maybe was a coast thing?
Also any water from shower or toilet is considered black water..

Looking at building a homestead

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