Before you’ve put on piece of lumber in the ground or poured any part of a foundation, the job of transforming the land into something ready for building must begin. That process is also likely to yield situations that could lead to higher building costs, such as moving land, removing obstacles, and creating drainage, just to name a few. 

To discuss these potential pitfalls and other costs of doing business are Mike Kissel of Mattamy Homes and Morgan Rushnell of LINE + PLACE. Mike and Morgan talk with hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith about what developers need to do to turn a piece of untouched land into land ready to support a thriving community.

Listen to this episode now for discussion about grading, utilities, stormwater management, and the impact of technology on efficiency.

00:00 Introduction to Land Development Experts

02:48 First Steps After Land Acquisition

03:50 Understanding the Grading Plan

06:07 Cost of Moving Dirt and Cut-Fill Challenges

09:29 Stormwater Management and Phasing

11:29 Planning for Multiple Development Phases

12:17 Wet vs Dry Utilities and Installation Priorities

14:12 Dealing with Distant Utility Lines and Private Systems

16:02 Coordination with Municipalities and Utility Providers

17:20 What Is a Lift Station and Its Impact

21:09 Overhead vs Underground Utilities and Costs

24:31 Community Infrastructure: Roads, Amenities, and Bonds

27:25 Road Dedications and Public Maintenance

29:45 Navigating Municipal and NCDOT Requirements

31:26 Multiple Contractors and Managing Disruptions

36:25 Challenges of Rock and Unknown Site Conditions

38:29 Technology and Innovation in Land Development

42:43 Cost of Land Development Before Building Homes

44:12 Land Cost as a Percentage of Home Price

45:53 Mathematical Approach to Land and Home Costs