Access is easy to overlook when you are looking at a beautiful plot, yet a track that turns impassable in bad weather can leave you cut off.
Why access deserves its own check
The book warns that a property reachable only by a dirt road can become isolated in bad weather. It calls road access imperative for staying connected to the outside world, and lists access to services as one of the four main risks to assess before buying, alongside fire, freezing winters and wildlife.
Questions to ask about the road
- Is the road public, or does it cross private land, and who maintains it?
- Is there a legal right of way for your property? The book notes that easements can affect your plans, so check whether any exist and what their terms are.
- Does the surface cope with heavy rain, snow or ice, and how is it cleared in winter?
- Can a fire engine, ambulance, delivery lorry or building supplies reach the site?
- Are there streams, culverts or steep sections that could fail in wet weather?
See it in different seasons
A dry summer visit can hide problems. The book's advice to visit in multiple seasons and to speak with neighbours is especially useful for access: neighbours will know how the road behaves in a wet winter and who looks after it.
Plan for emergencies
Independence does not mean you will never need outside help. The book says that you should be able to reach the local authorities and emergency services in the worst case. Think about how you would call for help and how responders would reach you, and keep a plan written down.
Include access in your budget
Building or upgrading a driveway, drainage and passing places can be significant costs. Put them in your project budget and check whether you need permission to alter an access point.
Access also links to drainage: water running across a track will wash it away, so read drainage planning around an off-grid home too.
The land chapter guide explains how access fits with water, soil and zoning. For the wider plan, see The Off-Grid Survival Manual.