Choosing the right property comes down to a lot more than just its place on the map. If you’re considering purchasing land in Texas, one of the most important things you’ll need to know is what utilities you’ll need before you can make the right purchasing decision. You’ll also need to determine whether or not you’ll need special systems to support high demand.
Once you know what utilities you need, you can start looking for property for sale near you. Keep reading to learn how to check utilities on a property for sale in Texas.
Checking for Water and Sewage
Finding out whether or not water and sewage are available on a piece of land is relatively simple; you’ll just need to ask the right people. Generally, this means calling your local water provider, often a local city government.
You can usually find out who the water provider for an area is through a simple internet search. If you’re having trouble finding out who provides water for a given area, you can call the nearest city government to ask for more information.
Checking for Power
Checking for power is often more complicated than checking for water and sewage. The simplest way to check whether or not power is available on a given piece of land is to look for power lines nearby.
If you’re not sure or don’t see any poles, you can call the county’s Planning and Zoning Board to ask who provides power for that area. Be sure to have the parcel number for the land on hand. Once you know which private company provides power in the area, you can call that company to ask about power on a specific lot.
4 Questions to Ask Before Getting Utilities on Your Land
When viewing potential properties, you’ll need to look into the utilities available. Knowing what utilities you need and what utilities are available on each piece of property can help you make a more informed land purchase. You can figure out all of the basics based on the response to a few easy questions.
1. What Kind of Utilities Do You Need?
If you’re planning on buying land in Texas, you will need to keep in mind how you’re going to use that property in the future. Utilities can make a big difference in the plans you have for your property. Review the list of utilities below, and keep in the ones that you need in mind when searching for property.
- Water lines
- Sewer or septic tank
- Power lines
- Gas lines
- Phone lines
- Internet cables
- Television lines
How Close Is Utility Access, Really?
When checking out each property, you will need to determine how accessible the utilities actually are. Some utility lines may already be in place, but they may be a long way from where you need them. Be aware that the term “nearby” can mean anything from a few feet to a few miles away.
Also, check that the utility services in the area will be able to accommodate any new utilities that you need to install. For example, you will need to contact the power company for grid line placement in order to access the utility.
Keep in mind where utilities will be accessible on the lot, as this can significantly affect your planning and purchasing decisions.
3. Do You Need Permissions To Install Utilities?
You may need permission for utilities to be brought onto the property. Before the property purchase, it’s a good idea to check for any required approval for utility placement.
Check the following three areas for possible permission requirements:
- Private Property Owners – You will need permission from property owners if the utility line runs through their personal property.
- State – You may also need permission from the state to install certain utilities, as some places have rules regarding utility rights.
- Neighborhood – Some neighborhoods also have easements where you will need permission to place utility poles or any other utility structure.
From zoning restrictions to regulations on utilities, there are countless hurdles standing between you and your dream house. A land developer like SRC Land can help you overcome the challenges.
4. How Much Will Utilities Set Up Cost?
The cost of installing utilities will vary based on several factors. The expenses can be affected by the utility type and the utility company.
Below, you can read more about how different factors can affect installation costs:
- Utility Type – The cost may range widely depending on the type of utility in question. Property that doesn’t have a sewer system may need a connection to one or a septic tank placed. Septic tanks can vary from $3,000 up to $20,000.
- Location – If power lines are nearby but need to be closer to provide the required power, the company could charge a fee to move the line. This fee could range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
- Accessibility – Some locations may not be accessible to the utilities that you need. For instance, if the water line can’t access the property, a well would need to be placed.
- Company – The utility company that you go to for service can also affect the cost, as some may be cheaper than others. Be sure to shop around to find the services that will fit the needs of your property.
The cost of your utilities can impact your bottom line in more indirect ways, as well. Depending on your employment type, the cost of your utilities can impact your taxes.
Getting Utilities on Your Land
Now you know how to check if utilities are available on a property in Texas. If the utilities you need aren’t available on the piece of property you’re interested in buying, you can consider getting utilities set up on that property.
How To Get Water to Your Land
There are two ways to get water on your land in Texas: set up public water access or have a well dug.
In some cases, public water may not be feasible. In those cases, a well may be your best option. To get public water, you’ll need to contact the water provider and get a connection set up. This can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $5,000. Having a well dug can cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000, depending on your land. A land developer like SRC can give you more information.
How To Get Power to Your Land
Like with water, you have two choices when it comes to getting power to your land: you can use a generator, or you can hook up to service from a utility company.
In most cases, using a generator is not a great long-term solution. You can find out how much it will cost you to get power from utilities on your lot by asking the nearest power provider.
Find Texas Land for Sale With the Right Utilities With Help From SRC Land
If you’re hoping to develop land in Texas, you’ll need to find land for sale with the right utilities available, or you’ll have to go through the process of getting utilities set up on your property. Find land for sale near you that meets your needs with help from SRC Land. We can help you find the perfect property for your house build or business venture.
Once you know what your needs will be, the helpful property experts at SRC Land can help you follow every step of the purchasing process, from showing you how to check utilities on a property to finding a financing solution that will work for you. Don’t wait to get started.
