Many of our potential clients contact us to learn more about building a custom home in the more rural areas around Boise. They are interested in escaping the busy streets and crowded subdivisions. Read more about this here…
While it is true that land prices decrease as you move outside the cities, there are additional costs to consider when building in areas where city services are not available. These costs include the labor and materials to supply water, gas, septic systems, and even the internet.
When connecting to city treated water isn’t an option, digging and installing a well is the best way to obtain groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes. Idaho aquifers can provide high quality drinking water, and many homeowners consider it a benefit to be able to control their own water supply. However, having a well also comes with the additional costs of installation and maintenance. Those costs are determined by the characteristics of the aquifer in the area where you want to build. Once installed, the State of Idaho recommends testing well water for impurities at least once per year.
The septic system is basically a mini-sewage treatment on your lot that includes a septic tank and a drain field. The septic tank is where wastewater is deposited and bacteria start to break down the organic materials in the wastewater. The wastewater will then leave the septic tank and flow into the drain field which usually consists of perforated pipes laid in drainage trenches. As the wastewater is absorbed into the soil, it is naturally purified. Septic systems are closely regulated and are not always approved. Septic systems should be inspected and cleaned once every 3-5 years.
Most subdivisions in Ada and Canyon Counties have natural gas hookups, however, when not available, it is still possible to enjoy the benefits of gas appliances by installing an above or below ground underground propane tank. 500-gallon tanks are a popular option and now come with wireless sensors that will send notifications when gas levels start to get low. There are many residential propane service companies available to re-fill tanks, and propane costs typically hover between 2 and 3 dollars per gallon in Idaho.
Having internet access, just like water, sewer, and power, has become essential to modern life. Just because you want to live in a rural area, doesn’t mean you have to live with a limited or slow internet connection. There are many high speed internet options available in rural areas, but additional equipment may be required, with monthly fees slightly higher than wired solutions.
What Should I Budget To Cover These Costs?
If you are thinking about building a custom home that’s outside of local city services – we’re the home builder for you! Over the years we’ve built dozens of homes in the many beautiful rural areas around Boise . We know the laws, requirements, and have relationships with the best service providers, to help you save money and avoid costly mistakes.
We know costs are an important consideration for any project so please give us a call to schedule a meeting so that we can give you a realistic estimate based upon your specific situation. We’ll sit down together and talk about your wants and needs, and put together a plan to build your dream home without going over your budget!
We specialize in building custom homes in and around Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Middleton, Nampa, Caldwell, Emmett, and more…
Call +1 (208) 963-0475 or Contact Us Online
