Commercial Construction: Three Crucial Planning Guidelines for Developing Raw Land
Developing land for commercial use can be a profitable and rewarding undertaking. However, there are numerous risks involved in this type of project. Carelessness during decision-making can cause unexpected losses and other problems. Therefore, if you are interested in investing in raw land for commercial construction, you should plan for the project with utmost care and caution. Here are practical planning tips to help you ensure that your commercial land development work is successful.
Understand the Zoning Laws
You should not purchase raw land before considering the zoning laws in the area. In general, the zoning regulations will dictate the type of structures that you can set up. If you invest in land but cannot realise your development plans, you might experience financial loss and unnecessary disappointment. Therefore, you should check the details with the local council before proceeding with your plans. It is also advisable to think about any developmental vision that the local government might have in the zone. If there are issues which could affect the success of your project, you should take them into account before investing.
Consider the Downsides
You should understand the potential disadvantages of investing in raw land for your commercial construction project. Typically, purchasing and building a commercial structure is lucrative. However, like other types of investments, there are some drawbacks, and you should not invest without careful considerations. In general, you should understand the tax implications of owning the tract of land. There are minimal tax benefits, and the value of the asset will not depreciate. You should also remember that this type of investment is illiquid and intended for long-term applications. Therefore, once you purchase, you cannot get rid of the land easily. You should make sure that you have sufficient resources for your entire development project to avoid these detriments.
Calculate the Total Costs
Finally, you should calculate the total cost of your development work and purchase for optimal project success. The information will be critical in creating an ideal budget. You should note that the purchase of the raw land is not the only significant cost that you should consider. You must budget for a property survey, building design and engineering expenses. You will also need to perform an environmental impact study, a site investigation and soil tests prior to the commencement of the project. Additionally, you should remember that most tracts of raw land do not have utility connections. Therefore, you must ensure that you have taken the cost of these services into account.
