Put the house, shop entrance, driveway and porch on a sketch of the property. A floor plan you like may need to change once you account for access, utilities and the view from the rooms.
What you know about the site
Start with the property location, boundary information available to you and photographs from several directions. Mark the access point, existing structures, visible slopes and places where you have observed standing water. Label observations as observations; they are not a substitute for a survey or professional site assessment.
Ask the relevant local offices about the proposed residential use and the information needed for review. For flood-map research, the FEMA Map Service Center is a starting source; discuss parcel-specific implications with the local floodplain administrator and your design team.
Draw everyday outdoor life
Place vehicle arrivals, shop deliveries, porch seating and service access on a rough plan. Think about where children or guests walk while a trailer enters the shop. Record desired views and outdoor spaces before the building footprint crowds them out.
Check utilities before fixing the layout
Identify what is known about water, wastewater, power and communications. Ask the responsible providers or professionals to verify availability and scope. Long routes or unresolved service locations can affect the site arrangement even when the house plan is unchanged.
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