Need to vent about house set back

2 years ago

I need to vent here...we are building a new home and things have pretty much gone smoothly however our set back is bothering us. We are building in a new development and phase 1 is mostly production builds and phase 2 and 3 are custom. We are back in phase 2. When we were finalizing our contract with our builder (he’s one of the developers)he told us that the production homes have the township minimum of 30’ from utility boxes and his and the other 2 builders are 40’ back. Our house was the first house to be built on that side of the street. Well the builder as well as us missed our set back when we got our lot layout and it was set at 30’. We didn’t realize it either until other houses started to get staked out. I went on the county website and sure enough all the set backs are at 40’ for the custom builders. Our house looks fine but it’s annoying us. And of course when it’s brought up to the builder there’s always a reason why it was done that way...ugh! Nothing we can do about it now and we need to get over it!! I just needed to vent about this. Thanks

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Comments (14)

dan1888
2 years ago
I'd add a berm and some evergreens to enhance your space.
chispa
2 years ago
Hard to say without seeing the actual lot, but you got 10 more feet of backyard, which I think is more useful than 10 more feet of driveway!
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PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
If that is the worst thing that happens during the building process, you're doing good.
anj_p
2 years ago
You just get a bigger back yard. Not such a bad trade IMO.
khegrat
Original Author
2 years ago
You are all right! And we will get over it but it’s just so annoying!
3onthetree
2 years ago
I do not follow. Presumably the setback is 40' not because they are custom vs spec, but because the lot sizes are larger. So if the setback of your lot is 40', and the foundation was placed at 30', then it is non-conforming and will need either a variance or demolition.
khegrat
Original Author
2 years ago
No lots are same size. The custom builders just set back their houses at 40’ instead of the minimum 30’. I believe it was an oversight. But we are within the proper set back with the county.
Mrs. S
2 years ago
I agree about the bigger backyard. Why do you want your house set farther back from the street?
anj_p
2 years ago
I would be happy with that circumstance, personally. 10' more for backyard fun. 10' less driveway to maintain (and shovel, in my neck of the woods). Fewer windows aligning with my neighbors'. All plusses.
khegrat
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes I definitely would prefer more back yard. We are just concerned that our house will stick out like a sore thumb because all the others houses are set back 10’. All the lots are .60 acre and most houses are ranches and they really don’t have much of a backyard.
Mrs. S
2 years ago
It may at first "stick out" but you are going to landscape that house so gorgeously that THAT will be what people notice about your home.
pwanna1
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I see this situation as a happy accident...but, I totally get being annoyed...it's a screw up. Depending on the way your contract is written...and the way you're paying, I'd request that extra square feet of driveway be converted to extra patio pour! :)
3onthetree
2 years ago
There should be a site plan listing the setback and placement of the footprint. The surveyor used this to stake for the excavator. Refer to that if you are looking for fault.
millworkman
2 years ago
"most houses are ranches and they really don’t have much of a backyard."

And yours is now 10' deeper.

Need to vent about house set back

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Need to vent about house set back

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