The 10-point land feasibility checklist
Buying raw land for an ADU or custom home is where the biggest surprises happen. A low purchase price can still need a lot of site work before a foundation pours, and you won't know unless you check the lot before closing.
Here is the checklist that gets walked on every free pre-purchase land consult.
1. Town ADU / zoning status
Does the town permit what you want to build? Under LD 2003 (Maine) and RSA 674:71-73 (NH), most residential lots qualify for at least one ADU - but district-specific zoning, overlay districts, and deed restrictions still apply.
2. Setbacks and lot coverage
Minimum front, side, and rear setbacks. Maximum lot coverage percentage. Structure height limits. We plot the proposed building footprint against the lot survey to confirm it fits.
3. Perc test or septic capacity
If on private septic, soil must perc. A failed perc site can limit you to an engineered system or make the lot unbuildable. We review existing perc data or flag that one is needed pre-close. We price an engineered system after a site visit.
4. Water / well feasibility
Is there town water, or will you drill? We price a well after a site visit. Yield and water-quality testing still matter, and a low-yield well may need storage.
5. Power drop distance
A long run from the pole changes the power price. We price the drop after a site visit.
6. Slope and drainage
Steep lots (>15% grade) need retaining walls, drainage engineering, or step foundations. We do a visual slope estimate on-site and recommend a surveyor if anything looks borderline.
7. Flood / wetland designation
FEMA flood zones and Maine GIS wetland maps. Wetlands can require a DEP permit. We price that after a site visit. Flood zones add elevation requirements and flood insurance.
8. Road access and frontage
Town-maintained road? Private road? Minimum road frontage per zoning? Private roads often require HOA agreements or shared-maintenance agreements.
9. Frost line and bedrock depth
Maine frost depth hits 48". Foundations must extend below frost. Shallow bedrock can mean hammering or blasting. We price that rock work after a site visit.
10. Deed restrictions and easements
Title search reveals CC&Rs, utility easements, right-of-way crossings, and old conservation easements that may limit construction.
The free land consult
Our free land consult walks through all 10 points for any lot you're considering in Maine or NH. 15–20 minutes, no sales pressure, real numbers. If the lot checks out, we'll lay out a budget range for the build.
If it doesn't - we'll tell you that too.
The 2-minute calculator is on instant pricing. Published packages are on the ADU models.