When you build your house, you start by marking out where things are to be on the lot. You will want to locate all of the structures, and mark them with stakes, and you will want to plan carefully for your utilities. You have surveyed and marked the edges of your property, now it is time to mark where the house or structures (garage, sheds etc.) are going to be. The larger the lot, the less exact you have to be. You are basically doing this so that you do not build where you aren't supposed to. You will be marking the corners and edges with stakes. But because stakes are easily moved, you will want to double check any measurements before you start pouring foundation etc. It is not unheard of for children to play on a building site and move stakes. But don't let that cause you grief, just double check.

It is very important to identify and mark utilities as they enter the building site. So, place a stake to indicate the sewer line, water line, and underground power line. You can find out where they enter the building site by using one or more of several different options. Well, the lot developer, utilities department, or building departments can help you identify them, most areas have a locate service for utilities, which is probably your best option. All you have to do is call; they will come out to the site and mark all of the utilities for excavation. They will mark them with paint and flagging. They will show you where they are located on the street, and on the lot if any exist on the lot. Usually this is a free service. When you or the utility locator comes out and marks them, be clear about which is which. For example, don't just put in stakes and assume you will remember, because it is not worth risking. Instead, mark the water stake with a "W" the electricity stake with an "E" and so on, that way you can always tell which is which, and don't have to try and trust the faulty memory of humans. If your electricity and cable come in above ground, you are going to be installing a meter and electrical box, and you are going to want to know which side of the house to install them on, so mark those clearly. Your utility companies can advise you on this. If you are putting in a well, or installing a septic system etc. your plot plan should show those items, and your excavating contractor will use those plans to get your site ready, so you don't need to worry.

One thing you should worry about it how you are going to get all your work done without electricity. You are going to need electricity in order to do a lot of the construction. After all you will be using power tools, and they can't run without power. So, in order to get electricity on site for construction, you will probably have to install a temporary power pole. This pole is usually placed at least three feet and the grounding stake a minimum of two feet into the ground. After the temporary pole is installed you call an electrician to come and hook up the power. There are other options for power, like asking a neighbor if you can run a power cord from their power source and then just pay their electric bill, this could work for water as well, but you have to get permission before you try it. Otherwise, you might be making enemies before you even move in.

Also, people will need to use a bathroom before your bathrooms are installed. So, before nature calls be sure to have a portable toilet on site. You'll be glad you did this before construction began if you are the one that nature comes a calling. In many areas this is a requirement, so having it will save you the additional cost of a citation from the municipality.

Remember, you can always call your general contractor for help, even laying out your ideas. Information for this article was taken from http://www.homebuildingremodeling.com. Always look at the Texas Residential Commission Construction site for registered builders (http://www.trcc.state.tx.us or call 877-651-TRCC). For all your real estate and building needs or questions, call Debbie at 713-818-6658 or 830-833-4249 email at dhomeier@moment.net .