Q: Who do I call before I dig in my yard?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re planning to dig on your property, you&rsquo;ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won&rsquo;t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues. </p></div>

Question 1

Is reading blueprints hard?

Accepted Answer

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With proper training and experience, reading blueprints is fairly straightforward and not very difficult. If you don’t have the necessary knowledge to interpret the symbols, abbreviations, and other notations used, blueprints may not make sense. Learning to read blueprints can help you understand the construction process and keep you more involved and informed when you’re building a house.

Question 2

What should I consider when I drill a well?

Accepted Answer

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When considering the price of drilling a well, factor in how much you’ll save in water costs per year. The average family of four uses 100 gallons of water per person per day in the U.S. With a private water well, you can save hundreds each year.

Wells are also environmentally friendly. You don’t need to worry about drinking water treated with chemicals. Talk to at least three well pump contractors in your area. They’ll be able to tell you more about your options, give you different quotes, and discuss the biggest concerns.

Question 3

How hard is it to buy a house for the first time?

Accepted Answer

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Several government-backed lending programs can help first-time home buyers purchase a home with little money down. FHA, USDA, and VA loans are options for qualifying borrowers, though many conventional mortgage lenders will lower down payment rates to as low as 3 percent.

Question 4

Who do I call before I dig in my yard?

Accepted Answer

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If you’re planning to dig on your property, you’ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won’t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues.

Question 5

What information can I find in a land survey report?

Accepted Answer

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Land survey reports have a boatload of information relevant to several scenarios. Here are the types of information contained with a survey, though it depends on your chosen type of land survey. Exact boundaries and dimensions of a given property General topography, including both natural and artificial landmarks Location of utility fixtures, like water mains Confirmation of any easements or encroachments on a piece of property Assessment of land elevation to buy flood insurance Updated information to add to a pre-existing property map