Buying a Land with 1.5m Fall Front Left to Back Right

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  SBOB on 23/09/2020 - 22:08

  +1

  As all the blocks have the same slope i would imagine each will cut/fill and retaining walls against each side to produce a flatter block profile.

  • 

    amsaini15 on 23/09/2020 - 22:28

    Thanks. Wouldn't cut and fill pose a problem with rain water coming downhill if house is slightly below on left?
    Would you know how much extra cost I am looking at if doing 1) concrete slab 2) cut/fill 3) split level

    • 

      JakeyJooJoo on 24/09/2020 - 10:39

      Water won't be an issue mate, you can tackle run-off easily with drainage.

      I don't know costs, but split level would defs be more expensive than a landscaping. Retaining wall + fill would be the solution i'd take as it's not that hard to do. On top of that you can just build a house without worrying about the slope.

      Fill is pretty well free. retaining wall you're looking at ~$3 a brick. Main cost is in the service, labour, machinery. You could call a couple of local landscaping companies to get estimates. I'd speculate you're probably looking at $15K for the work done properly with drainage put in.

• 

  oscargamer on 23/09/2020 - 22:20

  It will cost more to build on that block than a flat block.

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  Cheeper on 23/09/2020 - 22:26

  +2

  1.5m fall over 40m is almost nothing and will only be 750mm over the 20mr of your house slab. Should be no problem or insane costs.

  • 

    amsaini15 on 23/09/2020 - 22:33

    Thanks. That comment make me feel slightly better. Actually it makes sense when I looked at contour test again. It will be roughly 750mm-1m upto 20m house slab.
    Will also have to think about how to build granny flat on back right.

• 

  NuclearWessels on 23/09/2020 - 22:33

  +1

  I haven't heard of a "contour test report" before, but to me that just looks like an extract of the design drawings. The black contours are probably the design (proposed) and the grey contour are the existing surface. The actual lot levels may vary slightly form this but should be similar.

  The fall looks like it could be up to 2m and roughly 5% across the lot. It's not particularly extreme, but it is a little steeper than average. Obviously you're going to want to have your house at similar levels, so I'd probably look at slab on ground at the garage, and maybe elevating towards the rear. This may not be necessary depending on the size of the house you're going for.

  Also worth noting is the roofwater drainage at the rear. It doesn't look like there is an easement, but you may have local 'build over' requirements to consider (e.g minimum offsets to keep clear of the pipe) for any future granny flat

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  amsaini15 on 23/09/2020 - 22:41

  Thanks. I should say "Contour Plan" rather Test, my bad. That's what document I got from RE is named.

  I am planning to use upto 22m in length and also have granny flat on right back. Would you know how much extra cost I am looking at if adding concrete slab in garage area and extending to the rear?

• 

  chasis on 23/09/2020 - 23:55

  +2

  The slope is not too extreme and shouldn't cause significant cost or modifications to standard house plans.

  Steep gradients on your land arn't necessarily bad either, you just have to plan a home that is suitable.

  Good luck with your future new home!

  • 

    amsaini15 on 24/09/2020 - 00:04

    Thanks mate. I am going for custom built. Need to find a good builder in Western sydney to find cost effective solution to overcome this problem. Any recommendations?

    • 

      chasis on 24/09/2020 - 00:07

      +1

      A family member has recent had their house done by these guys out in Penrith area - https://www.facebook.com/daincon They were very happy with it. I think they had the plans done by an architect prior though. I know those guys specialise in custom builds.

      • 

        amsaini15 on 24/09/2020 - 12:33

        Sent you PM mate. Thanks

    • 

      This Guy on 24/09/2020 - 10:30

      +1

      A fair few of the large builders are happy to modify layout for very little cost at the design phase on their more expense designs. Most let you choose your facade and roof materials and style. And they can be significantly cheaper due to scale.

      Most builders only do good, not perfect, as to non tradie eyes, 20mm off is not visible once everything is installed and painted.

      As some of the large builders use cheap parts that look tacky. Ask for the addresses of some of their recent builds to have a look at from the kerb. These features stand out like an eye sore if you don't like them.

      I highly doubt you will see extra value with a custom build.

      • 

        amsaini15 on 24/09/2020 - 12:27

        +1

        Thanks. Only thinking of custom build as I want to build a granny flat at the back as well. Also none of the volume builders plans suits are requirement and most of them do not offer too much customisation.

        It seems so hard to find good custom builders. I will certainly check Homeone forum to know people's recommendations.

• 

  Fever4shakin on 24/09/2020 - 11:11

  +1

  I'm looking at a similar situation now - for a block with a 3m slope front to back, the builder has quoted roughly 51k in additional costs - 33k for 12 stair split level and 18k for deepened edge beams. This is pre-contour report as land is unregistered, and what the architect has put forward as 'worse case scenario' as there's a chance only 6 stairs will be required. Hopefully that helps give you some perspective.

  • 

    amsaini15 on 24/09/2020 - 12:17

    Thanks for sharing. That's not looking good. whats the dimension of the land? 12 stair sounds alot.
    Hopefully worst case scenario does not apply to you.

    Where about are you building and are you doing custom design plan?

    • 

      Fever4shakin on 24/09/2020 - 12:27

      It's a 650sqm block in Canberra. We've gone out to see the block and would honestly be surprised if it needed 12 stairs, so fingers crossed. We're lucky that the retaining wall is required to be done by our rear neighbour and not us. We've basically picked a house plan from a reputable builder and are making some alterations to meet our needs. There's a few things the builder has included in our quote such as driveway and solar that are overpriced and will be cheaper doing through another company.

      • 

        amsaini15 on 24/09/2020 - 12:33

        Just sent you PM mate.