Building on Acreage in Bastrop County - Your Complete Guide

Bastrop County offers what's increasingly hard to find in Central Texas: available acreage within reasonable distance to Austin. If you're dreaming of building a custom home on 5, 10, or 20+ acres, here's everything you need to know.

Why Acreage in Bastrop County?

Availability

While Travis County has been built out, Bastrop County still offers:

• 5-10 acre parcels throughout the county
• 10-50 acre ranch tracts
• 50+ acre properties for serious ranching
• Variety of terrain from wooded to pasture

Affordability

Land prices remain accessible:

• $15,000-30,000 per acre (typical range)
• Compare to Travis County: $100,000+ per acre
• Compare to Hays County: $50,000-150,000 per acre

Freedom

Rural Bastrop County means:

• Minimal building restrictions
• Room for workshops, barns, animals
• Privacy from neighbors
• Space to pursue hobbies and interests

Finding the Right Property

What to Look For

Access

• Road frontage or deeded easement
• Year-round accessibility
• Driveway construction feasibility
• Emergency vehicle access

Utilities

• Electricity proximity
• Well drilling feasibility (ask about neighbor wells)
• Septic suitability (soil testing)
• Internet options

Terrain

• Building sites with good drainage
• Usable acreage vs. floodplain
• Trees to preserve
• Views to capture

Water Features

• Creeks or ponds
• Flood zone mapping
• Drainage patterns
• Water rights (if applicable)

Due Diligence

Before purchasing acreage:

1. Verify access - Confirm legal access to the property
2. Check flood zones - FEMA maps can surprise you
3. Test soil - For septic feasibility and foundation requirements
4. Verify utilities - Get quotes for bringing power to building site
5. Survey - Confirm boundaries and easements
6. Title search - Identify any liens or restrictions

Infrastructure Costs

Building on raw acreage requires infrastructure that's included with typical lots:

Electricity

| Distance from Existing Lines | Approximate Cost | |------------------------------|------------------| | At property line | $500-2,000 | | 500 feet | $5,000-10,000 | | 1,000 feet | $10,000-20,000 | | 2,000+ feet | $20,000-50,000+ |

Well

• Typical depth in Bastrop County: 200-400 feet
• Cost: $10,000-20,000
• Equipment and pressure tank: $2,000-4,000
• Permitting: $100-200

Septic

• Conventional system: $8,000-12,000
• Aerobic system: $12,000-20,000
• Advanced systems: $20,000-35,000
• Factors: Soil type, home size, bedrooms

Driveway

| Length | Gravel | Asphalt | Concrete | |--------|--------|---------|----------| | 200 feet | $3,000-5,000 | $8,000-12,000 | $12,000-20,000 | | 500 feet | $6,000-10,000 | $15,000-25,000 | $25,000-40,000 | | 1,000 feet | $10,000-18,000 | $25,000-45,000 | $45,000-75,000 |

Total Infrastructure Example

For a property 500 feet from power with 300-foot driveway:

• Electrical extension: $8,000
• Well and equipment: $15,000
• Septic system: $15,000
• Driveway (gravel): $5,000
• Total: $43,000

Budget $30,000-75,000 for infrastructure on most rural properties.

Designing for Acreage

Site Planning

Home Placement

• Consider views in all directions
• Position for prevailing breezes
• Maximize privacy from roads/neighbors
• Account for sun angles (south exposure)

Outbuildings

• Workshop/barn locations
• Equipment storage
• Guest house possibilities
• Pool and outdoor living

Landscape Zones

• Immediate landscaping around home
• Pasture or natural areas
• Garden locations
• Orchard possibilities

Floor Plan Considerations

Single Story

• Easier to live in long-term
• Spreads across the site
• Better indoor-outdoor connection
• Higher foundation cost per square foot

Ranch Style

• Classic for acreage properties
• Wings for privacy
• Central living spaces
• Covered connectors

Practical Features

• Mudroom from working areas
• Boot wash and storage
• Large pantry/storage
• Workshop or hobby room

Living on Acreage

Reality Check

Acreage living means:

• You maintain the land - Mowing, brush control, fencing
• Longer response times - Fire, EMS, police are further away
• Self-sufficiency - Well pumps need backup power
• Wildlife encounters - Deer, coyotes, snakes are neighbors
• Dark nights - No streetlights (but amazing stars)

Making It Work

Equipment

• Tractor for larger properties
• ATV/UTV for getting around
• Brush cutter for maintenance
• Trailer for hauling

Infrastructure

• Generator for power outages
• Adequate water storage
• Good fencing if needed
• Security system/cameras

Community

• Get to know neighbors
• Share equipment and knowledge
• Participate in local events
• Build your network

Best Areas for Acreage in Bastrop County

Cedar Creek Area

• Closest to Austin
• Higher prices
• More developed
• 5-20 acre tracts common

Southern Bastrop County

• Near Smithville
• Best values
• True rural character
• Larger tracts available

Northern Bastrop County

• Near Elgin
• Growing area
• Good highway access
• Mixed lot sizes

Eastern Bastrop County

• Most remote
• Lowest prices
• Maximum privacy
• Largest tracts

Getting Started

If you're considering acreage in Bastrop County:

1. Define your needs - How much land? What will you do with it?
2. Set realistic budget - Include infrastructure costs
3. Research areas - Drive the county, see what appeals
4. Work with land agent - Find someone who knows rural properties
5. Involve your builder early - We can evaluate properties before you buy

We Can Help

At Macks Signature Homes, we specialize in building on acreage throughout Bastrop County. We'll help you:

• Evaluate properties you're considering
• Understand true development costs
• Design homes that work for rural living
• Navigate wells, septic, and utilities

Schedule a consultation to discuss your acreage dreams.

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Macks Signature Homes builds custom homes on acreage throughout Bastrop County, from Cedar Creek to Smithville and everywhere in between.