How to choose a plot for a modular house: 10 things to check
We once had a client fall in love with a plot from photos alone - gorgeous view, quiet lane, perfect price. It took one site visit to notice the access road narrowed to under three metres halfway down. Buying land is a decision that shapes how you live for years, and for a prefabricated house there are a handful of checks most buyers never think to make. Here's the list.
1. The Local Spatial Development Plan
The first document to pull up. It tells you what you're actually allowed to build: land designation, maximum building area, the building line, height limits, roof pitch.
2. Plot shape and dimensions
A modular house needs real manoeuvring room - for the building itself and for the delivery.
- Minimum width - at least 16-18 metres for a comfortable layout
- A regular shape - rectangular plots are the easiest to work with
- Boundary distances - at least 4 m from a wall with windows, 3 m from a blank wall
3. Access - the make-or-break item for prefabrication
Prefabricated elements arrive on semi-trailers, so check:
- Access road width - minimum 3.5 m, ideally 4 m or more
- Turning radius - 12 m for a semi-trailer set
- No low cables or narrow bridges en route
- Load-bearing surface - a loaded truck with elements weighs 20-30 tonnes
4. Ground conditions
The ground type shapes both foundation choice and cost:
- Load-bearing ground (sand, gravel) - the easy case, a standard foundation works
- Weak ground (clay, peat) - needs reinforcement or piling
The bottom line
Choosing a plot for a modular house means checking a few things beyond what a traditional build would need - transport access, plot dimensions and ground conditions chief among them. At Treevia we offer a free site visit to check whether your plot is up to the job before you commit to anything.