Before you buy the lot, uncover the hidden building costs.
The purchase price is only the beginning. Soil, access, utilities, and slope can change what it costs to build the home you want.
Get a local builder’s checklist of what to investigate, who to contact, and what to ask before you commit.
30+ years building in Truckee · Nearly 100 local homes built
What the listing may not tell you.
Here’s a taste of the issues the guide helps you investigate. These are questions to resolve before buying—not assumptions about every lot.
Are services ready for your home?
Nearby electric, gas, or water lines don’t tell you whether the connections can support your plans.
Ask: What connections or upgrades would this project need?
What’s below the surface?
Clay, buried boulders, and drainage conditions can change excavation and foundation requirements.
Ask: What site investigations are needed before estimating construction?
How will you reach—and build on—the lot?
Terrain can affect the driveway, garage, retaining structures, and access for construction vehicles.
Ask: How does this site affect the layout and construction approach?
What hidden costs look like
in real life.
These experiences shared by Robert Wise Construction show why investigating a lot means more than walking the property.
The paperwork changed the project.
Planning found inconsistencies in a subdivision’s documentation. The project was delayed for a year, and the owners became solely responsible for building a fire-truck turnaround at the end of the private road.
Before you buy: Ask Planning to review subdivision records and ask about access and fire-service requirements.
Nearby utilities weren’t enough.
A new home in an older subdivision required $40,000 of work across the road to provide adequate gas service. An additional power upgrade would have cost $100,000. The owners declined that upgrade and left out several features they had wanted.
Before you buy: Ask utility providers whether existing service can support your planned home—and what upgrades would cost.
The home they wanted didn’t fit.
On a steep lot, the new 2024 Truckee Design Requirements limited the proposed home to about 15 feet tall at the street, beside neighboring homes around 30 feet tall. The desired ADU wouldn’t fit within the height limit either, and reaching the living area required a full flight of stairs. The owner chose not to build.
Before you buy: Review height limits and ADU feasibility with Planning, then discuss the slope and layout with a local builder.
The ground changed the economics.
In one case, a house on clay soil flooded, and extensive drainage channels cost $50,000. On another project, clay conditions called for a $130,000 helical-pier foundation solution. That owner sold the lot for much less.
Before you buy: Have a geotechnical engineer investigate soil and drainage conditions, then discuss the foundation recommendations and costs before committing.
The lot had access—but it couldn’t be used as planned.
On one property, a neighboring structure narrowed the access easement. An alternative route required permission that couldn’t be obtained, and the intended project couldn’t proceed.
Before you buy: Have the access rights and physical clearance checked. Don’t assume an alternative route will be available.
Anonymous project examples supplied by Robert Wise Construction. Conditions and outcomes are specific to each property; these are not cost estimates for your lot.
Get the free guide ↗10 checks. Three steps. A more informed purchase.
10 things to check before you buy, organized into three steps. Use the guide while comparing lots, preparing for a site visit, or deciding what to investigate before making a commitment.
The goal is to help you recognize potential problems early, so you can investigate, reconsider the lot, or negotiate with more information.
The guide is a starting point. It does not replace a lot-specific assessment, professional investigations, or confirmation from the relevant agencies.
Get the free guide ↗YOUR THREE STEPS
- 01Contact Planning
Property records, easements, trails, solar requirements, and ADU feasibility. The guide tells you what to ask and who to contact. - 02Investigate the physical site
Soil, rock, drainage, utilities, and sewer or septic. Understand which questions need professional evaluation. - 03Talk with a local builder
Discuss how the slope, driveway, building envelope, and foundation approach affect the home you want.
Learn from a builder who has built here for over 30 years.
Robert Wise has built nearly 100 Truckee homes over his career. His perspective comes from designing and constructing homes in the terrain, weather, and building conditions you’re considering.
We created this guide to help buyers ask better questions before a lot becomes an expensive problem instead of the home they imagined.
Know what happens next.
Is the guide free?
Yes. The Truckee Lot Buying Guide is a free PDF delivered through a confirmation email from Kit.
Do I need to own a lot already?
No. It’s designed to help you investigate before buying, including while you’re comparing properties.
Will it tell me the exact cost to build?
No. It helps you identify questions and potential cost factors. Your lot and proposed home need individual evaluation for project-specific costs.
What happens when I enter my email?
After signing up, look for a confirmation email from Kit with the PDF link. Follow the email’s instructions to access the guide. You’ll join our email list and can unsubscribe anytime.
Can Robert help me evaluate a specific lot?
Yes. Robert can discuss a lot walk and how the site may affect your home and budget. Reach out to discuss scope, availability, and any fees: (530) 277-8303.