So, you have decided you are keen to build your home. After much searching and investigating, you have set your heart on a block of land. It is situated on the slope of a hill somewhere in Perth and you are ready to get the ball rolling.
But first, have you considered that there are a few things to note about building on a sloping block? Well there are. Building on a sloping block can be both positive and can pose hindrances. This is why we have created a bit of an introduction on things you should consider, before building on a sloping block in Perth.
Firstly, what is a sloping block?
As the name suggests, it means that the land you are planning to build on is on an incline, decline or slopes sideways. It is not flat like standard building sites. A sloping block will have uneven levels of elevation. As a general rule of thumb, this means a rise or fall of approximately three metres or less across the building area.
What are the types of sloping blocks?
There are many possibilities that come with a sloping block. But first, let us go through some of the typical sloping blocks out there in Perth:
- Sloping up – where the low point is at the road
- Sloping down – where the high point is at the road
- Cross fall – the slope is from right to left or left to right
- Or, a combination of the above listed
What are some of the positives of building on sloping blocks?
Although building on a slope does come with a handful of hindrances, there are reasons why to consider a sloping block as your site. Here are a few of our reasons:
- Stellar views as your home is on an elevation
- Natural ventilation as you are higher up, therefore meaning less energy bills
- Plenty of natural light
- Potential for increased privacy with secluded spaces
Additional costs to consider when building on a sloping block
Generally speaking, sloping blocks of land that slope upwards from the road will incur more site works’ costs. Costs to consider when building on a sloping block include:
- Removal of fencing to allow site access and building
- Split levels inside the home to allow flow to the ground level outside
- Removal of additional fill
- Cavity filled under croft walls
- Water proofing of underground walls
- Retaining walls
- Brick build up under the house
- The adding of additional steps
Choosing the right Perth builder to build on a sloping block
To get started, you should work with your Perth builder to carry out a site inspection and analyse the characteristics of the land. At Bellagio Homes, we’ve over 15 years of custom home building in Perth and have worked on a variety of different sites. We understand that building on a sloping block is no easy task and does come with challenges. Therefore, we put extra measures in place to ensure your custom-home is rock solid for generations to come. Speak to your team at Bellagio Homes today!