What to consider when searching for a plot to build on

Rashid Ssenyonjo, an architect at HIL consults, says house planning is not done after you have bought land, it starts before and it is these basics that determine the design, shape and size of your house. For example, the terrain of your plot has a lot to tell about your house before it is put on paper. He shares what one needs to consider when buying land.

Village
“Buying land from a real estate or land dealer is not a bad idea but the question is, have you settled for the right area?” Ssenyonjo asks.
He says the mistake some people make is they do not know where they want to build, all they care about is buying the piece of land. It becomes worse when the land is cheaper than the market price.

To Ssenyonjo, different areas or villages have different house settings and designs thus affecting your plan or dream. For example, he says, in some areas, the residents may embrace bungalows and for which ever reason, you will not just put up a flat amidst bungalows. He says you would have to tone down on your plans and expectations.

Neighbourhood
Ssenyonjo mentions that it is important to first have a look at the surroundings of your plot. If there are things like a stone quarry, fuel station, church, slums, among others, then there should be a good distance between the two.
On many occasions people who build near stone quarries have come up to complain about the noise and the destruction caused to their property. He says if you build close to a church yet you do not need noise that means you will have to sound proof your house, thus incurring extra costs.

The right plot shape
Ssenyonjo says it is advisable for you to find a rectangular plot for it makes planning and construction easy. For individuals looking forward to buying 100ft by 50ft make such that the width is between 15 to 18 metres which is 50ft to 70ft and the length 30 to 40 metres. “On bigger plots the width and length are 70 and beyond. If you get a plot in a circular shape, oval, triangle or any other shape that means the usable space will be limited and so is your plan,” he says.
Furthermore, for proper planning to buy land, plots with irregular shapes must be avoided as preference should be given to plots with either a rectangular or square shape.
Unless otherwise, Ssenyonjo says access to the plot should run on the longest side of the plot because it makes expansion and access auspicious.

Soil types and terrain
He says different soils affect the construction process differently. Clay soils come with a lot of expenses since they are loose. Such soils are in swampy areas which are not recommended by the government. Loam soils, murrum soils and stony soils are good.

However, stony soils are hard to excavate yet firm for the foundation. In terms of colour, Ssenyonjo adds on that red and brown soils are favourable.
“The type of the terrain also gives way for a proper plan of the house. On sloppy areas, levels perpendicular to sea level are considered. For example if you have land of 100ft by 50ft you will realise that only75ft is the usable space. Nevertheless, a flat area gives a proper functionality of the land but this depends on the shape of the land.

Access to the road
Accessibility of the plot determines the kind of project to run on the plot. If it is a residential, then passing through slums before you can access your plot is risky. He says it should be accessible by both foot and vehicles. If you cannot that means the plot is not good enough and it will be a hazard once construction starts. “Find a plot with public demarcated roads,” he advises.