Steep slopes or undulating land raise issues with having an appropriate, level site for a straightforward build. Many slopes are relatively straightforward to deal with, but without an experienced difficult block builder you may find yourself outlaying more expense than you need to. Any ground with a gradient beyond 30 degrees is generally considered to be a steep slope. In these situations, it may be extremely cost-prohibitive to cut and fill, requiring other solutions.
Existing structures may also create roadblocks for construction. These structures can be built structures that may need to be demolished and removed. In some rare cases, these structures may have legislative protections and will need to be maintained, requiring some imaginative work to build around them. Natural structures can also present challenges, particularly if there is no simple or cost-effective way of removing them, requiring other workarounds to make the block work.
Sometimes, environmental concerns need to be accounted for when building a new home. The risk of flooding or low-lying water must be considered, particularly in flood-prone areas. Stormwater runoff too is something that needs to be assessed and addressed if need be. Contouring and drainage works may be required to adequately direct stormwater runoff away from your home. Working with the right builder can greatly reduce the costs involved in managing water runoff.
In some situations, bushfire risk must also be assessed, and fire breaks or removal of trees and scrub will be required beyond the area in which construction will occur.
Soil conditions can place some restrictions on design and construction. Some soil types, such as clay, are very challenging to build on. Other soil conditions, such as exceedingly rocky ground, can make it difficult to carry out any earthworks prior to the build.
The region in which a home is built may necessitate taking different steps to ensure a structure’s stability and longevity. Coastal areas may be more exposed to wind and storms. Flatter, more open regions may also be more susceptible to large, fast wind gusts and thus the design and robustness of the home will need to account for this. Other considerations can include increased exposure snow or hail, tropical storms, ambient temperature and a range of other factors. Working with an experienced difficult block builder gives you the benefit of exposure to years of knowledge and experience building homes in a range of different conditions and environments.
A reasonably common challenge is space and how that is distributed throughout the block. Narrow blocks, triangular blocks or other oddly-shaped blocks require some imagination when it comes to siting a home. Added to these difficulties are legislative constraints, such as the requirement of a setback from the boundary and other factors that may influence walls and the placement of related structures such as sheds and external garages.
How to build on a difficult block
The first step is perhaps the most obvious. Engage a difficult block builder, who specialises in working with unfavourable landscapes and has the experience and skilled team required to help make your block work for you. Generally, difficult block builders will follow a similar formula when assessing how to go about building on your land.
A good builder will leverage the block into an advantage. Slopes can be used to create space under a home, or to expose the home to more air, light or great views. Further, you can take advantage of the topology of the land to design a home that really stands out, with different levels, balconies, split levels and more.
Contact us for a consultation
It doesn’t hurt to gather a few opinions. We’ve built on hundreds of difficult blocks over the years and have developed a powerful arsenal of tools to help manage with any challenge that your land can present us.
Give us a call and we’ll chat about your options. Regardless of your future plans, we’re always happy to help new home owners get the best possible outcome.
Call us on (07) 3358 9704 or click here to email us.
