Has anyone self built or bought land in Nova Scotia? Its just an option we're looking into but if you look at plots on mls they start at 20K and go up to 250K. The question is, why the vast difference in prices? I appreciate it comes down towhere the plot is, access to a water supply, clearing the site etc etc but a 2 acre plot on the waterfront at 20K sounds ridiculously cheap! So whats the catch? Also, how difficult is it to get planning permission? The way they are advertised it seems you can pretty much build what you want where you want! Any advice or anyone with any experience your thoughts would be most welcome

I had a good look into building in Ontario last year. There are a number of hidden costs with rural plots, so what looks super cheap can be doubled in price when well's, septic beds, surveys for water etc.., are taken into consideration.
I don't know if this applies to anywhere in Nova but, we took a drive out to a new home being built at a cost of 300k, so a nice build, but ! the water in the area was sulphar water. It absoulutely stank, you needed filters and all sorts.
I found the preferred option was a plot of land on the edge of town that has the municipal services hooked. This was what the local lads I knew, that were brickies were recommending.
As we fancy Nova now we are going to take a good look later in the year.
We fancy the Annapolis Valley, the cheapest i've seen there runs around the 40k mark.

Good luck

kduk

Check out this web site www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/paal/sitemap.asp and each Municipality seems to have their own section on building permits.

I tried running the question with google but not much of interest came back. Try e-mailing one of the real estate brokers and ask them your questions about a piece of land you have seen.

Did you get any more info on this?

Where we are (South shore NS) there is a huge difference in the cost of land. Much like when you are buying a house, you seem to pay a premium depending on location. For instance, you can buy about 100 acres of forest inland for the same price as a 5 acre sea access plot near a "desirable" town. Prices will also vary depending on road access to the plot, well, likelihood of water etc.,

I have seen some 'good' plots with waterfront but where can I find out about how much to build on it plus add all the services?

Hava a look at this website. Lots of info on it:

http://www.build-yourown-home.com/index.html

Thank you Did you pass your test today?

$20,000 will be miles away from the major centres with no water, no sewage, no electricity perhaps and not even easily accessible.

You can build exactly what you want here- unfortunately. There a very few regulations- usually a single property has to have height restrictions, percentage of lot coverage restrictions( 30%) and if in the HRM a certain distance back from the sidewalk; the actual square footage is regulated now so that the houses cannot become rental rooming houses and the front yard for motor vehicles is regulated- about 65% has to be landscaped. Other than that the ugliest building in the world can be built- no architectural controls.

Having posted this I must say there are a lot of lovely new houses going up.

Are self builds popular in Nova Scotia / Canada ?It doesn't hapen that much in the UK,but in a way I'd be interested in self builds in NS. Do you design them yourself, or buy standard plans ?

You can get them built to your own spec or modify any plan that you have in mind. One thing there have in Canada and USA and lots of house plan magazines like these:

www.coolhouseplans.com

www.dreamhomesource.com

www.houseplans.com

www.architecturaldesigns.com

Start dreaming

I did that, both Mr Y-c-d and I passed our written driving exam this afternoon. We are going to sit our driving tests next week as we don't have much of our 90-day waiver left

Good luck driving on the wrong but now right side of the road!

You'll need it - Canadians work on the premise that all lanes are there to be used.......

It's easy peasy compared to the manic driving in the UK.