Water is truly the lifeblood of our planet; in fact, water covers over 70% of the earth. The diversity of these locales that host the water’s meeting with the land are alluring to us. Whereas our ancestors chose to settle on the riverbanks and shorelines for transportation, agriculture, and clean drinking water, today’s discriminating homeowner desires this setting for the peace and beauty inherent in the landscape.
Building in such close proximity to water, however, can also be quite challenging. The very element that provides you with such tranquility is also ironically one of the most destructive on the planet; consequently, flood plain house plans and site preparation are an absolute necessity.
If you are considering building that special house on the water, make certain that you protect your potential investment by making smart choices. Knowing how to build in the flood plain can save you much frustration and devastation.
First, be aware that not all flood plain locations are deemed as acceptable for building. There are many state and local regulations that may very well prohibit you from building your dream house in your dream location. Your builder should be able to direct you to the proper channels to review your site’s regulatory status.
Know precisely what your flood risk is for your location. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) developed a mapping system called the Flood Insurance Risk Map (FIRM) that determines the level of risk for each location. Depending on this certification, your financial institution may or may not require you to carry flood insurance. The level of risk determined by the FIRM will also determine the cost of your flood insurance policy.
Additionally, be certain to use the natural landscape to its best advantage. If there are wetlands present, maintain them because they are wonderful nature preserves, but they are also natural reservoirs for water that might otherwise end up at your residence. If there is one area within your site that is higher than others, focus your building project on that height. You may even have to bring in some extra dirt to build the site up just a bit, but the added clime could prove quite beneficial.
Finally, hire a builder that is knowledgeable about flood plain design and site preparation. Such an expert will guide you seamlessly through the challenges that can arise while building in the flood plain, but they will also know which building materials and practices would best suit your build. Please contact us today to integrate your dream with the realities of building in a challenging but beautiful location.
