Building in the countryside is a dream come true for many homeowners — but there’s more to consider for rural builds than your home’s floor plan. Coordinating utilities like water, waste, power, gas, and internet requires careful planning and organization. Here’s how to help this process go smoothly.
Identify Essential Services
Start by identifying which services are available in your area, since this will directly impact your utility timeline and budget. For example, depending on where you live, you may be able to connect to rural water and sewer lines. Alternatively, you might need to drill a well and install a septic system.
Take a similar approach in planning for electricity, phone service, internet, trash removal, and propane or natural gas. Research your options so you can find what best fits your budget and location.
Keep Everything Organized
As you begin organizing utilities, it’s essential that you keep everything organized in a binder or digital folder. Use this to keep track of contacts, installation appointments, contract details, utility line locations, and connection points. Be sure to schedule service installations well in advance (and in coordination with your builders) so you can work around contractor lead times and potential seasonal disruptions.
By keeping all of your information in one place, you’ll be able to coordinate with contractors, inspectors, and utility providers so installation, connection, and future maintenance work can go smoothly.
Plan for Future Needs
Don’t just focus on your current needs. Planning for the future can help prevent future service disruptions or extensive work on your property. For example, you might consider adding a conduit for future fiber-optic internet upgrades, or an extra breaker to give you additional electrical capacity if you think you’ll add a workshop or electric vehicle chargers sometime down the line. Meter bases, valves, and septic access lids should be in an easily accessible location for future maintenance and emergency service.
While building in rural Ohio gives you extra space and freedom, it also requires careful utility planning. A clear and organized plan will ensure your new homestead is ready for you and your family. Capstone can help. Contact us today for the insight and guidance you need to help your rural custom-building project be a success.