Fortunately, a steep block also provides many advantages for homeowners. In the following sections, this blog will discuss these benefits and the process of selecting the most cost-effective strategy for constructing your residence on a sloping block.
What Is A Sloping Block?
A sloping block is an incline, decline, or sideways gradient from the road. The complexity of your house’s construction on a sloping block and expenses depend on several factors, including the slope’s direction and angle. For instance, a slope measuring at least two metres makes designing and constructing challenging.
We strongly recommend considering the factors we mentioned when looking for a knock down rebuild Brisbane contractor.
Construction Alternatives For A Sloping Block
Homeowners can choose from several alternatives for constructing a house on a sloping block:
- Split-level home designs: These are single-family residences with several staggered levels that don’t cover the house’s entire length. The structure of split-level homes make them expand horizontally.
- Pole home designs: These houses utilise poles and stumps to support a deck that builders use for framing.
- Cut-and-fill: In this scenario, builders remove soil from the block’s high side and transfer the soil to the block’s low side, levelling out the surface where they will install the concrete slab.
- Retaining walls: These walls prevent the soil supporting a house on a sloping block from shifting and maintain its structural integrity.
Advantages of Rebuilding On A Sloping Block
Although some construction sites are challenging, they offer unique advantages, including:
- Breathtaking scenery: Many Australian homes on sloping blocks feature elevated views. They overlook stunning scenery on lush greenery, hills, and mountains. These houses are a perfect getaway from the frenetic pace of city life.
- Increased privacy: Homes with increased elevation make it challenging for neighbours to see what’s inside. Split-level design houses built on sloping blocks feature private patios that help maximise family time.
- Innovative designs: Designers and builders unleash their creativity when conceptualising and building a house on a sloping block. Terraced gardens and split-level designs, both creative byproducts of natural slopes, are unique, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. Regardless of your preferred knock down rebuild designs for sloped land, we recommend that your new house exemplify your family’s unique lifestyle. For example, a house on a sloping block can include an underground garage or entertainment rooms with picturesque views. Conversely, split-level homes make the residence appear more prominent than its actual size.
- Lower electric utility bills: Sloping blocks result in the strategic location of windows, maximising natural light access and ventilation. A house with passive heating and cooling optimises energy efficiency and minimises monthly electric utility bills.
Disadvantages of Rebuilding On A Sloping Block
Although a knock down rebuild on a sloping block has impressive benefits, it also has downsides. This kind of house is pricier than those on a flat surface because it’s similar to a single-storey floor plan. A house built on a sloping block costs more because it requires additional expenses, including premium foundations, design and construction hurdles, and heavy machinery.
We recommend doing a site analysis before asking your contractor to design and construct your house. This contingency plan helps prevent serious issues, including flooding, deep tree roots, or access problems.
Please ensure your site analysis includes the following:
- A soil test to establish soil stability
- Slope severity and direction analysis
- A topographic and contour survey to determine risks such as soil erosion and landslides
- Climate and vegetation surveys to determine surrounding flora, wind direction, sun orientation, and wildfire hazards.
The disadvantages of rebuilding on a sloping block include:
- Site access: The slope angle may obstruct access to construction and excavation machinery, potentially complicating and delaying the project.
- Drainage problems: A house built on a sloping block lacking the appropriate drainage system risks rainwater accumulation around its base, resulting in possible structural damage. A contour survey and a drainage plan can prevent this issue.
- Soil erosion: Some builders stabilise a house’s foundation on a sloping block with vegetation. However, climate change, storms, flooding, drought, and landslides can disturb vegetation, potentially compromising the house’s structural integrity.
- Steep construction expenses: Constructing a house on a sloping block involves extra costs, including specialised machinery, cut-and-fill and retaining walls, and additional excavation. Cut-and-fill and retaining walls require significant construction expenses. Cut-and-fill refers to flattening a sloping block, where builders move excavated soil around the site. Next, they will construct an enormous retaining wall to prevent erosion.
- Design restrictions: Sloping blocks limit a designer’s options and compel him to improvise. To ensure long-term stability, the house must be based on the slope’s natural contours.
- Landscape assimilation: Your contractors will collaborate with landscape architects to ensure your home on a sloping block and its surroundings mesh seamlessly.
Rebuilding On A Sloping Block Vs. Flat Block Expenses
Knowing the factors that affect a knock down rebuild on a sloping block gives homeowners more autonomy over their project. However, it’s critical to remember that a sloping block’s potential challenges may escalate design and construction costs. Please remember that steeper blocks are more expensive than less steep ones.
Here are the essential factors worth considering for your knock down rebuild Brisbane:
- Excavated soil disposal and soil type
- Foundation construction and retaining walls
- Access concerns
- Landscaping issues
- Drainage and sewerage complexities
- Structural engineering
- Hiring a custom home builder with a proven track record of constructing houses on sloping blocks.
Selecting Your Sloping Block Contractor
Minimal excavation and the number of retaining walls are critical for a cost-effective knock down rebuild on a sloping block. You can achieve these objectives by selecting a house design appropriate for your sloping block and a contractor with a proven track record.
Since 1996, Unique Built has completed many knock down rebuild Gold Coast projects. Our dedicated team always strives to design and construct purpose-built homes that reflect your unique lifestyle preferences. We have a proven track record of clearing existing properties and building aesthetically pleasing houses that endure over time.
Please get in touch with us to discuss your knock down rebuild on sloping block objectives. One of our staff members will assist you immediately.
