Buying land with a slope, advise needed

curious101 on 04/01/2016 - 20:54
Last edited 05/01/2016 - 11:02

Would anyone please be able to advise whether this lot would be as standard slope, or is the slope too much for construction i.e. it will require cut and fill or retaining walls. Also, I am worried about removing the trees on this lot, what would be the cost of removing them. Any rough ball park figures and related advise about these costs would be much appreciated. So I can get an idea of what I am getting into.

Thanks a ton.

Pictures of the lot are shared on the URL below.

https://goo.gl/photos/pwkgTQRfKtZp3ghP8

EDIT:
The real estate agent is saying the fall is around 600-800mm, is that standard for the lot (considered flat) or will it require additional site costs.

Thanks a ton for replying guys. Much appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • cuteduck on 04/01/2016 - 21:06
    +2

    I would suggest that you post it on http://www.propertychat.com.au for better/reliable advise

    • curious101 on 05/01/2016 - 11:02

      Thanks a ton buddy.

  • iratepirate on 04/01/2016 - 21:08
    +1

    It's hard to get an idea of gradient from photos. Look at the houses in a similar position on the hill and see what earthworks they've had to do. The trees look small enough to do yourself with a chainsaw and a skip.

    • curious101 on 05/01/2016 - 11:06

      Thanks dude. Yes another guy confirmed that tree does not have deep roots, so should be fine. The house in the similar position are Timber duplex houses, I was thinking about brick home.

  • airzone on 04/01/2016 - 21:12
    +2

    Given that you have neighbours, you're probably safe.

  • oscargamer on 04/01/2016 - 21:31
    +1

    a block that a builder regards as flat, usually has a fall of no more than about 500mm

    that one DEFINITELY has more than 500mm

    • curious101 on 05/01/2016 - 11:07

      Yes this one is now said to be 800mm (worst case). Would you have any idea, how much extra should I consider in costs. Cheers.

  • shangoz on 04/01/2016 - 22:45
    +1

    According to my building friends, cut it flat is better then fill it up, also, it's not easy to get such good view lot close to big city now, tree, ask neighbours first, then, council?

    • curious101 on 05/01/2016 - 11:08

      True that man. The view is amazing for a duplex, right at the top of this little hill, with cool breeze and you can see the town. Just making sure that the lot price incorporates any additional site costs, if warranted.Cheers

  • zealmax on 04/01/2016 - 23:18
    +3

    Any slope is going to cost you more for site costs/foundation costs. I personally prefer a slope towards the street. Less drainage problems. Would not consider a piece of land that slopes towards the rear. This will add extra costs unless there is a storm water easement behind the property/land. Never buy any land that is a valley, all water will pool and will lead to high moisture, mold, termites etc. I have a steep drive way i.e. sloping frontage towards the street. The house is on flat piece of land. Never had any drainage problems.

    There is also an ergonomic factor, it may seem to be insignificant but it will save you pain and time. If the land slopes towards the house, you are going to have lot of leaves and dirt built up on your driveway and in front of the house. Taking the bin out every week is another bother. You have to push it up the hill when it is full and heavy. While if the land slopes towards the street, you let gravity pull it along.

    EDIT: From the photos it looks like it slopes away from the street, and also slopes the the right. You should speak to the builders to get an estimate on the site costs. You may need to put in pumps to pump storm water to the street. This is very costly, and some councils don't allow it. May be in trouble if there is no storm water easement. Mate had to pay his neighbor to put in a drain through the neighbors land.

  • zealmax on 04/01/2016 - 23:26

    Regarding removing trees. I can only see one tree in the photo, and a shrub. I got a tree that was 5 times that size, removed by an arborist for $800. You will need to check the council's regulations on tree removal, some councils have unrealistic TPO.

    • curious101 on 05/01/2016 - 11:10

      Thanks dude, yes this shouldn't be a problem at all then.

  • doctordv8 on 05/01/2016 - 09:20
    +2

    Just had my builder mate send his advise back to me. He said, and I quote, " slope…what slope", then the funny bugger said, "that's not a slope…. now this….. this is a slope" and I swear I thought he was going to show me an Asian….(It is ok, I married a beautiful Asian lady, and we joke like this regularly, so no racism implied at all).

    Sorry, bet he is a funny bugger and he started it.

    Ok, back to business. Without knowing so many things about what is in your plan, and they are not great pics to work with, but given the fence line, the horizontal of the house next dore and what he can see that us non visionaries can't, no problems at all.

    Nothing difficult, not overly expensive, and the tree will be part of the leveling process adding only a few dollars. A quote or approximate he would not commit to, one beacause there is cutting in and or building up and or how many stumps or what size slab, all variables, and because the pics just do not show enough lie of the land from a distance. He said thou again, all things considered, sorta easy block with great potential.

    You are gunna have great views me thinks, but as a technical person in another trade, for this, you need very detailed pics and number info, or Bob the builder for an onsite look to be fair to a reliable approximation.

    Advise here exactly where it is so someone here with required knowledge may look at it there for you and give a better idea.

    • ykwon10 on 05/01/2016 - 11:19

      I like your joke! Hahahahahaha!! and agree too!!

      I am Asian myself so no racism implied too. LOL!!

    • curious101 on 05/01/2016 - 11:23

      Hahaha……..thanks for the chuckles dude.

      I have been able to get hold of the real estate agent, as he said he was travelling and just told me that the lot has 600mm – 800mm. Now I am only trying to get an estimate of extra construction costs for cut and fill or levelling, I would be able to make an offer.

      Cheers man. Much grateful.

    • curious101 on 24/01/2016 - 23:29

      Thanks for the advice buddy, now I have improved quite a bit.

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