How Much Does It Cost to Develop Land in Lewis County, Washington?
One of the most important questions people ask before buying property is:
How much will it cost to develop the land?
There isn't one answer.
Two properties with the same acreage can have dramatically different development costs because of differences in terrain, access, soil, utilities, water, septic, drainage, and permitting.
Instead of focusing on one number, it is more useful to understand the major categories that make up a development budget.
Land Clearing
The first major expense may be clearing.
Costs can be affected by:
Number and size of trees
Brush
Stumps
Terrain
Access
Disposal requirements
Driveway Construction
A rural property may require a new driveway.
Costs can include:
Clearing
Excavation
Culverts
Drainage
Aggregate
Grading
Compaction
Long or steep driveways generally require more work than short, relatively flat access.
Excavation
Earthwork is another major component.
Depending on the property, you may need:
Building-pad excavation
Cut and fill
Grading
Imported fill
Exported material
Foundation excavation
Well
If public water isn't available, a private well may be necessary.
The cost of a well varies based on location and drilling conditions, so it should be treated as a separate project cost.
Septic
If public sewer isn't available, the property may need an onsite septic system.
Lewis County's septic program evaluates site and soil conditions and establishes requirements for onsite sewage systems.
Power
Electrical service may require extension from the nearest available connection point.
The distance from existing infrastructure to the building can make a significant difference.
Foundation
The building foundation requires appropriate site preparation.
This can include:
Excavation
Fill
Compaction
Drainage
Foundation preparation
Stormwater
Stormwater can be another significant development cost.
Depending on the project, improvements may include:
Drainage
Catch basins
Storm pipe
Detention
Retention
Erosion control
Lewis County maintains stormwater regulations and permit resources through Public Works.
Permitting and Professional Services
Land development can also require:
Surveying
Engineering
Geotechnical work
Septic design
Environmental studies
Permits
Inspections
Lewis County's Master Site Review is intended to identify zoning, critical-area, and applicable permitting requirements for development proposals.
Why Acreage Alone Doesn't Tell You the Cost
A 5-acre parcel isn't automatically cheaper to develop than a 10-acre parcel.
The actual development footprint may be relatively small.
What matters is the difficulty of creating that development footprint.
A steep, wooded, poorly drained property with a long driveway can require substantially more work than a larger parcel with an existing access road and favorable terrain.
Create a Development Budget Before Buying
Before purchasing property, consider creating a preliminary development budget that includes:
Clearing
Access
Well
Septic
Power
Excavation
Foundation
Utilities
Drainage
Engineering
Permits
This can help you understand the true cost of the property.
Rockridge Can Help With Site Development
Rockridge General Engineering & Excavation works with property owners throughout Lewis County and Cowlitz County.
We provide:
Land clearing
Excavation
Cut and fill
Roads
Parking
Foundations
Underground utilities
Septic
Stormwater
Project management
Considering buying land in Southwest Washington? Contact Rockridge to discuss the site-development portion of your project before you commit to the property.
Development costs vary substantially by property. A site-specific estimate requires project plans, site conditions, quantities, and other relevant information.
