Before you even break that first bit of ground, you’ll need to choose the appropriate site for your new home. Although you may have your own wish list of the things that you think you’ll want and need to have that perfect location, it’s usually a good idea to get an
There is a long standing historical precedent for going to great lengths to select the right place to build your home, as looking at the practices of ancient Rome can attest to. Back in those times, cattle were confined to graze in the area where a home was to be built for a period of time and they were then slaughtered and their innards were taken out to be examined.
If these entrails were found to be fouled, the site that was being considered for building was abandoned. It’s good to remember that the natural hazards that any site can have pale in comparison with the ones that man can create. To that end, there are several things that you’ll want to keep in mind when selecting a site with a trusted professional like an architect.
The first consideration seems obvious but it bears mentioning nonetheless. It’s important to pick a site where there isn’t much air pollution. While you’re in that mode, it’s also good to evaluate the prospective site for good levels of light and exactly how much air pollution there is. Determine the direction that the prevailing wind blows in and how they change seasonally. You’ll also need to consider what is upwind from you.
You’ll also want to avoid most industrial areas for the obvious reasons. These are generally high pollution areas and even looking at a site near agricultural land can mean that you’ll be dealing with a large amount of pesticide use.
As well, it’s good to stay away from high voltage lines and microwave relay stations as well as cellular phone and other kinds of broadcast towers. In general a distance of one tenth of a mile from high voltage towers is considered adequate. If you know where to look, many public utilities will provide for construction site measurements that will help in determining background magnetic field levels that could prove hazardous. Ensure that these measurements are taken at a time when the power lines are operating at peak levels and make sure to get the findings from the utility companies in writing.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to avoid sites that are adjacent to both parking lots and traffic corridors. There is a fair amount to consider when you’re selecting a site for your new home or building and you’ve got to remember that what you think you might want is not always in your best interest.
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