PLAN YOUR GETAWAY

AND KEEP YOUR DREAM DREAMY

Your vacation place is a life goal, a dream realized. It’s also a commitment of time and money. Build it for the right reasons. As you draw up building plans, acknowledge those reasons. Declare them on paper—at least to yourself—so your dream stays dreamy.

Here’s what we mean: We call our place the Getaway because we all long to get away from something—urban congestion, suburban regularity, the workplace and daily chores.

For your getaway to retain its value in your life, be honest about why you need this place and what you want it to be.

We’re not talking about its monetary value, although you should consider that too. We’re talking about its emotional value to you. Why do you want to spend lots of time and money to build a vacation home?

ARE WE THERE YET?

Site selection goes one of two ways: One, you have the perfect location and envision a house there. Or two, you’ve sketched your dream house and you need the right plot of land.

We had an ideal location in northern Wisconsin. Our hilly and wooded lake lot gave us a family room with big windows, a deck that blends into the surroundings and a bedroom with lake views. Another bonus: We can get there in about a two-hour drive from home.

More-remote sites often require more work. Our woodsy lake place required a good deal of site prep—trees to fell and boulders to move.

Look closely at the unseen too. We’re talking utilities. You could choose uber-rustic and go off the grid, with no plumbing or electrical. Not us, though. We wanted electricity, internet and running water— both in and out—and that meant more planning and more permits.

PERMIT ACCEPTANCE

You have to think like a general contractor (if you happen to be one, skip this step). In many states, you can serve as the owner-builder.

Our Wisconsin project allowed this, with requirements for certification, residency terms and the number of homes we can build in one year. It’s different state by state.

Start with the building inspection office nearest your project. Types of permits you might need include land use, grading, building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and septic. Permits often have a specific order; you can’t get “B” permit until “A” permit is approved. Permits will test your patience; practice acceptance and get through the process.

With a certified builder on staff, we had expert-level guidance that eased permitting processes and communication with any contractors we hired. As an owner-builder, you can save money, but you’ll pay with a load of responsibilities. You may also need extra insurance for any workers on-site.