What Can Impact Where You Can Place Your Home on Land in Alamance County, NC?

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Alamance County is one of the beautiful areas where Travars Built Homes builds custom homes on your land—and one of a dozen counties across central North Carolina where we help families bring their vision to life. If you’re considering building in Alamance, it’s important to understand that more than just personal preference determines where you can place your home on your lot.

Setbacks, septic systems, wells, easements, and environmental features all play a role in shaping your homesite plan. Here’s what to know—and how we help you navigate the process.

1. Setbacks: 

Setbacks are the minimum required distances between your home and the edges of your lot. These requirements help maintain safety, privacy, and uniformity across neighborhoods.

In most parts of Alamance County, typical minimum setbacks are:

  • 35–50 feet from the front property line
  • 15–25 feet from the sides
  • 25–50 feet from the rear

The specific setback distances depend on your zoning designation and whether your property is located within a municipality, an ETJ (Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction), or a rural area.

Why it matters: Setbacks define your home’s “buildable area.” 

2. Septic System: 

If your property doesn’t connect to a municipal sewer system, you’ll need to install a septic system. Alamance County’s Environmental Health Department will determine the best location based on:

  • A professional soil evaluation
  • The number of bedrooms in your home
  • Required separation from wells, property lines, and structures
  • Reserved space for a repair area

Why it matters: You must keep the designated area for a septic system clear—not just during construction, but long term—which means you can’t place patios, sheds, pools, or heavy driveways over it.

3. Wells: 

If your home requires a private well, it must also meet specific placement requirements. In Alamance County, your well must be:

  • At least 100 feet away from septic fields
  • Accessible for future maintenance

Why it matters: The well location often needs to be planned in tandem with the septic layout—and both must be situated with enough distance from your home and each other to comply with regulations.

4. Easements: 

Easements are areas on your property that someone else has a legal right to use. These are most commonly used for:

  • Driveways or access roads to neighboring properties
  • Underground utility lines
  • Drainage or stormwater systems

Why it matters: You typically cannot build on or obstruct an easement. 

5. Natural Features and Buffers

Alamance County features rolling countryside, creeks, and wooded areas—but these features can also bring building restrictions.

Depending on your land, you may encounter:

  • Stream buffers, which restrict development near natural waterways
  • Floodplain zones, where development is limited or prohibited

Why it matters: While these features add beauty to your land, they may limit where you can place your home—or require you to take additional steps during site planning and permitting.

Building in Alamance County? Travars Built Can Help.

Building on your own land comes with a lot of questions—and we’re here to help answer them. Once we understand what kind of home you’d like to build, Travars Built Homes offers an in-depth, on-site consultation to evaluate how your home can be placed for optimal layout, orientation, and use of your land’s natural features. We’ll walk your homesite with you and provide expert insight into everything from potential driveway locations to how slope can impact foundation heights.

Contact us today to schedule your homesite consultation.

Travars Built Homes has a renowned reputation across central North Carolina for exceptional quality, integrity, and service. We build on your land extending into 12 counties, including Chatham, Wake, Orange, Lee, Alamance, and surrounding areas.

Disclaimer: Requirements for well, septic, setbacks, easements, and environmental features can vary depending on your specific property and local regulations. Travars Built Homes provides guidance throughout this process, but cannot guarantee outcomes related to soil evaluations, permits, or regulatory approvals.

Get in touch today!

    What Homebuyers Really Want: Trends in Home Size for 2024

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    As custom home builders serving Pittsboro and the surrounding areas of Chatham County, Travars Built Homes pays close attention to what today’s homebuyers value most. One of the key questions we help our clients answer is: How much space do you really want in your new home?

    The “What Home Buyers Really Want 2024 Edition” study from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals some insightful shifts in buyer preferences when it comes to home size.

    Here’s a closer look at what homebuyers say they currently have—and what they actually want:

    What These Trends Tell Us

    The data reflects a variety of buyer preferences—while many homeowners do want more space than they currently have, larger homes are not the goal for everyone.

    Larger homes (3,000+ sq ft) still appeal to some, especially those looking for multigenerational layouts or high-end features. However, just 14% of buyers said they want a home over 3,000 sq ft—and only 6% want more than 4,000 sq ft—even in the context of “would like to have.”

    Smaller homes (<1,600 sq ft) are desirable for 26% of buyers, potentially for its affordability and simplicity.

    Mid-size homes (1,600 – 2,499 sq ft) represent the sweet spot for the majority of buyers. Nearly 70% of homebuyers want homes under 2,500 sq ft, indicating that spaciousness doesn’t have to mean oversized.

    Understanding the Shift in Preferences

    According to the NAHB:

    “In the last 20 years, there has been a clear shift downward in the amount of space buyers want. NAHB studies from 2003 to 2012 reveal that the typical buyer during this period wanted a home with at least 2,200 sq ft of finished area. Starting in 2015, however, buyers’ preferences shifted toward smaller homes. That year, and then again in 2018, 2020, and 2023, the typical buyer decided a home with around 2,000 to 2,075 sq ft was enough.”

    This downward trend may reflect the rising cost of construction, a desire to save on heating and cooling costs, and changing lifestyle priorities such as simplified living or lower maintenance and upkeep responsibilities.

    Travars Built offers homes in each of these size ranges. Explore the full range of plans here.

    What This Means for Homebuilding in Pittsboro and Chatham County

    At Travars Built Homes, our portfolio includes a wide range of home sizes, with a strong emphasis on flexible layouts, custom options, and efficient design strategies. This attention to layout becomes especially meaningful because buyers can customize floorplans to meet their specific needs, rather than being reliant on a small set of predesigned plans.

    We also see rising interest in:

    Explore Your Options

    Whether you’re looking to right-size your home or build with room to grow, Travars Built Homes can help you create a space that fits your lifestyle, needs, and budget.

    Take a look at our available floor plans and let us know how we can bring your vision to life.

    Have any questions for us?

    Get in touch today!

      Understanding Septic and Well Requirements When Building on Your Own Land in Chatham County, NC

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      Building a custom home on your own land in Chatham County, North Carolina offers incredible freedom and flexibility—but it also comes with important site development steps, especially if your land does not have access to public water or sewer. This means you’ll need to plan for a private septic system and well, which require proper permitting through the county.

      At Travars Built Homes, we help guide you through this process—unlike some home builders who leave it up to the homeowner to figure it out alone.

      Septic System Requirements in Chatham County

      When public sewer isn’t available, an on-site septic system must be permitted and approved. In Chatham County, there are three primary permitting options:

      1. Public Permitting Option

      Through the Chatham County Environmental Health Division, this process involves submitting an application, fee, and site plan. A county inspector visits the site to determine soil and layout suitability. If the application is approved, an Improvement Permit (valid for five years) is issued. The applicant must obtain a Construction Authorization before beginning installation.

      2. Private Permitting Option

      You can also work with a licensed engineer or Authorized On-Site Wastewater Evaluator (AOWE) to design your system. This option can streamline timelines and provide design flexibility, while still meeting state regulations.

      3. Hybrid Permitting Option

      This approach combines public oversight with a private soil consultant and can offer a great fit for certain site conditions.

      Southern Farmhouse | Siler City New Home

      Well Installation Requirements in Chatham County

      If there’s no public water access, a private well must be drilled and permitted. Chatham County requires:

      • A completed application and fee submitted to Environmental Health
      • Site evaluation to ensure setbacks from buildings, septic systems, and potential contaminants
      • Post-installation testing to ensure safe, potable water

      Typical setback requirements include:

      • 100 feet from potential contamination sources
      • 50 feet from ponds, lakes, and surface water
      • 100 feet from potential contamination sources
      • 50 feet from septic systems
      • 25 feet from structures with termite treatment

      We Work Across 12 Central North Carolina Counties

      While these requirements apply to Chatham County, Travars Built Homes builds on your lot across a 12-county area in central North Carolina. From Orange to Johnston, Alamance to Lee—and everywhere in between—we’re familiar with the permitting processes, health department regulations, and land development practices across the region.

      Whether your property is in Chatham or beyond, we bring deep experience and local insight to ensure your custom home journey is smooth and informed.

      Travars Built Homes Supports You Through the Entire Process

      From day one, we work alongside you to coordinate permitting, schedule evaluations, and consult with licensed soil scientists and engineers. Our goal is to remove guesswork and make sure your land is fully prepped and permitted for construction—so your home can move forward with confidence.

      We don’t leave you on your own. We help with it all.

      ⚠️ Important Disclaimer

      Local health department requirements for septic and well systems can change based on county and state updates. This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your builder and local authorities for the most current information for your specific property and location.

      Have any questions about building your custom home on your own lot? Feel free to contact us!

      Get in touch today!

        2025 Color Trends | Alabaster and the Seas | Chatham County Custom Homes

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        At Travars Built Homes, your trusted Chatham County, NC custom home builder, we know that every detail matters when creating a space that feels like home. The Longview home showcases a thoughtfully curated color palette, blending timeless neutrals and bold accents to create a cohesive, elegant design.

        Explore how these Sherwin-Williams colors work together to elevate the design of this stunning custom home.

        The Kitchen: A Stylish, Neutral Foundation

        • Cabinetry: Eudora Cabinets
        • Color: Thunder Painted Finish
        • Countertops: Pitaya White Granite
        • Backsplash: White Subway Tile
        • Light Fixtures: Black

        The kitchen features Eudora cabinets with a Thunder painted finish and a versatile gray hue that gives perfect balance to the room. Complementing the cabinetry are stunning Pitaya White granite countertops, which bring a natural element of sophistication. The white subway tile backsplash provides a clean and classic backdrop that enhances the overall design. Finally, bold black light fixtures add contrast and tie together the contemporary style of this central gathering space.

        Bathrooms and Laundry Room: Clean and Bright

        • Color: Alabaster Painted Finish
        • Countertops (Master Bath): Pitaya White Granite

        Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) brightens the bathrooms and laundry room, bringing a sense of cleanliness and tranquility. In the master bathroom, the countertops are also Pitaya White granite, offering seamless and elegant flow. This creamy white paint pairs effortlessly with the countertops and other design elements, making these spaces functional yet stylish.

        Main Living Areas: Timeless Neutral Walls

        • Main Wall Color: Alabaster SW 7008

        The main walls throughout the Longview home continue the theme of warmth and elegance with Alabaster. This classic, soft white sets the stage for a harmonious flow between rooms while allowing accent colors and architectural details to stand out.

        Accent Color 1: Tranquil Elegance in the Master Bedroom

        • Color: Sea Salt SW 6204

        The master bedroom has an accent wall painted in Sea Salt (SW 6204), a serene blend of soft green and blue. This soothing hue transforms the space into a retreat-like oasis, creating a peaceful environment for relaxation.

        Accent Color 2: Bold Sophistication in the Bonus Room

        • Color: Sea Serpent SW 7615

        For a striking contrast, Bedroom 4 (Bonus Room) features Sea Serpent (SW 7615), a rich navy blue with dramatic depth. This bold choice adds character and sophistication, making the room feel both stylish and cozy.

        Polished Details: Trim and Finishing Touches

        • Trim Color: Pure White SW 7005

        The trim throughout the Longview home is painted in Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW 7005), offering a crisp, clean finish that highlights every architectural detail. This bright, neutral white ties the entire color palette together, ensuring a cohesive and polished look.

        Why This Color Palette Works

        The Longview home’s carefully curated palette combines soft neutrals and bold accents to create spaces that feel both modern and timeless. From the calming tones of Sea Salt in the master bedroom to the dramatic depth of Sea Serpent in the bonus room, these colors bring personality and balance to every corner of the home. The Pitaya White granite countertops and black light fixtures add just the right touch of sophistication and contrast.

        By incorporating these Sherwin-Williams colors into your custom home, you can create a space that is uniquely yours—perfectly blending functionality and beauty. Explore more inspiration and design tips on our website, or reach out to us for a personalized consultation.

        Design Your New Home with Travars Built Homes

        Whether you’re drawn to timeless neutrals, bold accent colors, or a mix of both, Travars Built Homes can bring your vision to life. As the premier custom home builder in Chatham County, NC, we specialize in creating homes that reflect your personal style and the latest trends in design.

        Looking to build or design a custom home in Pittsboro, Siler City, or surrounding areas? Let Travars Built Homes be your guide. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your options.

        Get in touch today!