Buying Land

Pros & Cons of Sloping Blocks in Perth

You are either a fan of a sloping block or not. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to building on a slope. But like all block purchases, performing due diligence before you sign a contract is your best option.

Choosing a Sloping Block

Building on a sloping block will generally cost you more than on a flat site. The additional materials, excavation, site analysis, foundations and retaining walls all add to the building costs.

A sloping block will most likely have:

• A steep driveway or no driveway access at all
• Restricted or tight access
• Heavily vegetated site
• Around a 2 metre fall over the building area

Accessibility to the site needs to be a major consideration. How will building materials and machinery reach the site? Will a steep driveway be usable in wet or cold conditions? How will people with disabilities reach your home? Will a vehicle be able to reach the front door, letting you unload groceries with ease?

Advantages of Building on a Sloping Block

One of the main advantages of building on a sloping site is being able to make the most of the view. The higher elevation gives the proposed building greater views of the local area than homes on flat or lower sites. A sloping site lets you get creative with the design of your home too. It is most likely going to need a multi-level design, with a basement garage and higher living areas or bedrooms. A home on a sloping section is also going to receive more natural sunlight, making it warmer and more suited for solar panelling.

Disadvantages of Building on a Sloping Block

Cost of building is the major consideration when looking at constructing on a slope. As a general guide, an additional 1% per degree of slope needs to be added to the total building cost. Another issue to consider is that sloping sections will require extensive landscaping and may be in terraces, rather than one flat piece of land. This limits the amount of available and usable land for children to play on.

Points to Consider When Building on Sloping Blocks

• Exposure to the Elements – A home on a hill side has limited protection from wind and rain. The effect this has on your home can be limited through careful selection of building materials and landscape design.
• Drainage – Erosion is more likely to occur on a sloping section than a flat one. Extensive drainage works need to be done to prevent this happening. As water flows downhill, pools of water are likely to collect at the bottom. Extensive landscaping and retaining walls can mitigate this. Water may also need to be pumped upwards to your block, which is also an additional expense.
• Cut and Fill – Extensive site excavation is often necessary, cutting into the hillside to create a flat area for the foundation of your home. One way to significantly reduce these site costs is by giving some consideration to the design i.e. building your home on stilts. This allows you to build over the natural contour of the land.

Sol Construction

We are very experienced in building custom homes on sloping blocks around Perth and can ensure you get the best outcome. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

What to know before buying a block of land in Perth

Purchasing a block of land is a major decision. There are multiple factors to consider, with one of the most important being the location! Whether you choose to buy your block now and wait, or build upon it immediately, due diligence should be done before you sign anything.

Choosing Your Block

When selecting a block to purchase, you will need to think about:

• Location – how close the site is to amenities such as public transport, parks and main roads?
• Services – is there power, gas and sewage connected to the site boundary? If not, then you may be faced with additional costs.
• Position – does it have any views? North-south blocks are more in demand, especially with a north facing backyard. A flat block is easier to build upon, as a steep gradient will require more work before building can begin. Is the size big enough for the home and lifestyle you want? Where is it in regards to the subdivision entrance or end of cul-de-sac? A block at the end of a road is subject to car headlights, while one at the entrance will have a lot of traffic passing by. A large block nearby may be subject to high density housing, so check plans for this with your local authority.
• Plans – what buildings can be built on the site? How about neighbouring blocks?

Checking Your Site

It is important to know the soil structure of the site. This will give you valuable insight in determining the amount of earthworks, drainage and reinforcement required. A clay or rocky soil may need more excavation and associated tipping fees. A sandy or loam based soil may need additional reinforcement or foundations. If the site sits on a steep hill, retaining walls will need to be budgeted for. Extra costs for drainage may need to be considered on a low lying damp block.

Local Authority Requirements

Before you sign a contract, have a chat with your local authority. They will be able to tell you what types of buildings can be built upon your site, as well as those of neighbouring areas. This includes building materials and any special usages the site can have, such as a business premises.

You will be able to find out what the land was used for in the past, very important to know as it may contain contaminants from past usage. Finally, the authority can tell you about any future works which may affect your enjoyment on the block, such as potential businesses and noise or smell pollution.

Hiring a lawyer to check the contract is a smart idea, as is using experts to check the soil. These tips may save you making an expensive mistake in purchasing a less than suitable block.

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Sol Construction

We are custom home builders in Perth with years of experience and many happy customers. If you’re thinking of building a new home or renovating your existing one, please contact us.

What to consider before buying a narrow block in Perth.

Narrow blocks are becoming the norm in Perth nowadays. Often, they are the result of existing blocks that are newly subdivided, but are also smaller parcels of newly allocated land from developers. When it comes to purchasing a narrow block, there are a few things to consider before you sign on the dotted line.

Choosing the best narrow block for you

When purchasing any block of land, you’ll need to do some investigative work first. Consider things such as the location, access to local amenities, services to the block, zoning and usage regulations, as well as the neighbourhood/your prospective neighbours.

This research will help you to decide if a narrow block is the right choice for you and your family. It is possible to live the Australian lifestyle and have the house of your dreams on a smaller and/or narrower block, but it does require careful attention to the design to ensure you maximise all the space available.

It’s a good idea to visit home opens of houses built on similar size blocks. Pay attention to the layout and use this research to make design decisions for your new home build.

Designing your narrow block home

There are several key factors to discuss with your builder and architect when designing your home for a narrow block. They are:

1. Use high ceilings

   – when you can’t go out, go up! High ceilings provide the illusion of space and help to make your rooms look larger. They are also fabulous at keeping rooms cooler during hot months, as the warm air rises.

2. Include open plan living

   Internal walls block light, which is a much-needed feature of narrow homes. Opt for open plan living areas by having your kitchen, lounge and dining room all in one large space.

3. Reduce dead space

   It’s important to use every single bit of space you can in your home. This includes keeping walkways to a minimum, being creative with storage options and using cavity sliding doors rather than hinged doors.

4. Consider layout carefully

   The layout will determine the overall feel of your home. Speak with your builder about the best way to maximise the potential of your narrow block.

5. Aim for natural light

   You don’t want a dark, small and poky home! Include as much natural light as you can for your narrow block home. Floor to ceiling windows and doors are great, as are skylights and highlight windows. Painting the inside of your home with light reflecting colours also helps make rooms brighter and seem larger.

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Pros and cons of narrow blocks

Narrow blocks are often found in inner city locations. Narrow block homes can be highly creative, with much flair and ingenuity being used in their design. If you would rather have a larger backyard or plenty of distance between their neighbours, a wider block can be more suitable.

You may be interested in learning about 3 important considerations when building any house.

Sol Construction

We are custom home builders in Perth with years of experience building houses on many different block sizes, including narrow ones. Don’t keep wondering about what’s possible, please contact us to find out.