Building on Raw Land in Lockwood Valley: A Practical Guide

A lot of buyers are attracted to Lockwood Valley's affordable land prices and dream of building their ideal home on a big piece of property. I love that dream — but I also want to make sure you go in with realistic expectations about what it takes to develop raw land. Here's the practical guide.

Step 1: Verify Buildability

Before you buy, confirm with Kern County Planning that the parcel can support a residence. Key questions:

• What's the zoning, and does it permit residential construction?
• Are there environmental restrictions (endangered species habitat, wetlands, etc.)?
• What are the setback and building envelope requirements?
• Can the land pass a perc test for septic?

Step 2: Water

You need water. If there's no existing well, you'll need to drill one. Costs vary widely — $10,000 to $30,000 or more depending on depth and conditions. A dry well is a possibility, and it can be devastating if you've already bought the land. Whenever possible, get a well drilled and tested before closing, or at minimum, research the water table in that specific area of the valley.

Step 3: Septic

A perc test determines whether your soil can support a conventional septic system. If it can't, you may need an engineered system, which costs significantly more. Budget $5,000-$15,000 for a standard septic installation, potentially more for alternative systems.

Step 4: Access Road

Many Lockwood Valley parcels don't have improved access roads. Building or improving a road to your home site can be a significant expense. You'll also need to ensure the road can support construction vehicles (concrete trucks, lumber deliveries, heavy equipment) during the build.

Step 5: Power

If the parcel isn't connected to the electrical grid, bringing power in can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on distance to the nearest lines. Many buyers opt for off-grid solar instead, which can be more cost-effective while providing energy independence.

Total Development Budget

A realistic budget for developing raw land in Lockwood Valley (beyond the land purchase price) might look like:

• Well: $10,000-$30,000
• Septic: $5,000-$20,000
• Road improvement: $5,000-$25,000
• Power (grid connection or solar): $10,000-$40,000
• Building permits and plans: $5,000-$15,000
• Construction: varies widely based on size and quality

Work with Professionals

I can't stress this enough: don't try to figure all of this out alone. Work with a local surveyor, a well driller who knows the area, a contractor experienced with remote builds, and an agent (DRE# 02011892) who can evaluate parcels for development potential. I've seen buyers save — and lose — significant money based on the quality of their due diligence. Start browsing available parcels and let me help you do it right.