When you close your eyes and think of your dream home, where does your mind take you?  Maybe you imagine morning coffee in Monterey or sitting fire side in Oceanside.  Whatever your scenario, I bet you are seeing not just the beautiful Connect Home you are living in but a specific location as well.

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Finding the right site is just as important as choosing the right model Connect Home.  All our prefab homes are intentionally designed to maximize indoor/outdoor living to take advantage of everything your location has to offer.

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So what type of location makes for the most streamlined build?  Here are a couple things to consider when finding the right plot of land to build your Connect Home.

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Lot Size

We have Connect Home models that will fit almost any lot size but if you don’t want to be limited in your choices, we recommend lots that are at least 50 feet wide.  That way you can fit any of our standard models and tailor them to your surroundings.  If you have your heart set on the narrow lot in Manhattan Beach, The Connect 4T and Connect 6T offer a smaller footprint that work wonders on lots under 40 feet wide.

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Access

All our homes require the modules to be delivered by truck and placed on the foundation using a crane. Narrow, winding roads with tight turns can make it difficult for us to deliver a home to certain locations.  We also need a place to set up the crane for installation and so steep hillsides are tricky.

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Installation

There needs to be a relatively clear path for the crane to pick up the modules from the truck and set them on the foundation.  In urban areas, overhead powerlines are the most common obstacle.  It isn’t a deal breaker though; it just means we need to coordinate with the utilities provider the day of installation to de-energize or temporarily take down the lines.  For rural areas, dense tree cover could make it hard to find a clear installation path.

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We also need to be aware of how far the crane will need to reach to place the modules on the foundation.  This challenge is primarily for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) because we typically need to lift over an existing home and place the ADU toward the back of the property. Almost all distances are possible, it just depends on how large a crane would be required.

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Topography

Flat land with direct access is amazing but we know that not all lots are created equal.  In general, if a foundation can be built on a site, we can install a Connect Home there. Hillsides can be tough because they require a lot of extra site work which can substantially increase the total project budget.  We would hate for half of the project budget to be spent on removing dirt, grading the lot, and building retaining walls.  We would rather you have that budget to build an amazing outdoor living space.

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Other Considerations

When looking for land, it is also important to be aware of:

– If utilities are already present on site.

– Environmental restrictions such as coastal areas, wetlands, or flood plains.

– Special planning reviews such as a Design Review or Historical Review from the local building department.

– The property boundaries and setback that determine the buildable area.

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Finding the right land to build on may feel like finding a needle in a haystack but our prefab modular system can get almost anywhere.  The best thing to do when considering a lot is to email us at hello@connect-homes.com with the address and we can have our experts take a quick look to see if it is a fit for our style of construction.

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If you feel like you have finally found that enchanting spot in Encinitas or a charming corner of Culver City, let us know because we would love to build your dream home in your ideal surroundings.

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