Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 21, 2009 3:54 pm We're contemplating buying a block of land and doing the knock down/ rebuild thing! Only thing is, the land we are looking at only has a 10.5m frontage. (It is flat and 550sqm overall) Should we go ahead!!! Can anyone recommend any good, affordable (!) project homes for VERY narrow blocks? All the ones we have found so far that say they are for narrow blocks are still too wide once you take into account how far you can build from the boundaries!! I'm also after any great architectural tips you have for making a long narrow house look roomy and sunfilled, as the neighbours on either side have two storey homes!! Thanks Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 2May 21, 2009 4:01 pm Hi Hooray, My block has 10.5m frontage and yes very limited with what I can build. I can only have a single car garage!!! If I had more borrowing power, I would have chosen a wider block. It really depends what you want to build.. what your requirements are. Contracted completion date 24 July 2010. What's today's date????? Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 3May 21, 2009 4:02 pm Depends where you are based, and what your requirements are. Do you have to have a double garage, or will single be ok.... Or are you happy to detach your garage and locate it at the back of the property.. Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 5May 21, 2009 4:12 pm Hey there. We've also just bought a narrow block and found GJ Gardner have some really nice narrow lot designs for around $200K base price. There's the Buderim which is 8.32m wide and the Jindalee 219 which is 8.5m wide. Good luck! Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 6May 21, 2009 4:46 pm Thanks for all that advice. We're very happy with a single car garage. Just need a simple three bedroom home - ideally with two separate living spaces (family and dining room/ lounge room) and deck out the back! We're in Sydney -and are only thinking of taking this "knock down/ build" route as we can't find this kind of property to buy in our price range. I've had a look at the GJ Gardner designs - which are very nice - but can I find something cheaper/ less flash?? Thanks, Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 7May 21, 2009 4:50 pm Try.... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16253&p=199401&hilit=narrow+blocks#p199401 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=9959 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15311&p=185776&hilit=narrow+blocks#p185776 Rawson Homes also have some great ideas for narrow blocks.....http://www.rawsonhomes.net.au/home-desi ... ort=narrow mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 9May 21, 2009 7:37 pm Simonds..... Be warned though alot of people are complaining about their customer service. I am building with them.. They are cheaper than most. Contracted completion date 24 July 2010. What's today's date????? Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 10May 21, 2009 8:28 pm hooray Thanks for all that advice. We're very happy with a single car garage. Just need a simple three bedroom home - ideally with two separate living spaces (family and dining room/ lounge room) and deck out the back! My frontage is ~11.5m and I've managed exactly what you've said (double storey) with a block that isn't anywhere near as big as yours. I have done boundary to boundary to maximise the space which you may not want/be allowed to do. I would have liked a side gate/path to bring the bins out etc but there will be enough space to bring them through the single garage as I've done full sized garage doors at each end. If I didn't do boundary to boundary something would have had to give but you have the depth, so nothing stopping you doing a long and narrow home. Best to speak to an architect on a plan that works. Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 11May 26, 2009 9:54 am Found this in a search for ranch style home.... http://www.homebuildersaustralia.com.au ... plans.html mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 13May 26, 2009 10:12 am Cleishy :lol: I think they have ground floor and first floor mixed up in the plans above. Unless there is an elevator in the drive which lifts your car into the garage. Hadn't noticed that... ...would prove no challenge for a Westie! mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 14May 26, 2009 10:16 am No the floor plan is marked correctly. Look at the shading on the stairs, you go down to the lower level. Laundry is on the lower level and there's no windows at the front under the garage. Designed for a sloping block. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 15May 26, 2009 11:04 am Don't be put off by narrow blocks. I have a few blocks currently looking to build on and use for IP's Have a number of other IP's on 10 metre frontages which is what I look for due to the lower council rates. A number of other properties in the same street have double garage but these are all double story, the single dwellings have only single garage. Im looking at this kit home currently which has some appeal I think for tenants. http://www.alternatedwellings.com.au/h_ ... .html#div2 Will place a single gable carport with this. Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 16Jun 05, 2009 9:13 pm Hi Hooray, Try Ferntree Homes also. They have a design called the Malibu which is quite narrow (<8M from memory). We have a block with width about the same as yours (just a little less, actually) and it does limit who you can build with if you are looking for a project home. We are seriously considering the Cosmopolitan Northcliffe 21 - take a look on their web-site.....it feels very spacious for a 21 square home. There is also the jindalee from GJ gardner (but you might need to change your side setbacks for this). From memory, there were also designs from Rawson and Fowler that could be suitable. Oh.. and there is a masterton design (Twin Oaks) which is the left-hand-side half of a duplex that can be built as a stand-alone narrow block home. It is quite cheap from memory and is four bedroom. Only problem is the faccades are pretty out-dated on this one...but then we like the modern look. It might be very suitable for you. We bought the narrow block because it was the only thing available (in our price range! ) in the suburb we wanted to live in. I agree that sometimes location is more important. Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 17Jun 09, 2009 10:32 am Hi Hooray, There are narrow blocks and there are NARROW blocks, lol. I'm currently building on a 9.15m wide block in Newcastle with a large ex-factory on the Eastern boundary. I was lucky enough to find an architect who took a personal interest in the project and has guided me through the process. Things to consider; What are your council setbacks? For me the standard setbacks were 900mm from each side boundary, being an older area and with the factory already built to the boundary I could have argued to council that I should be able to build right to the boundary but my architect informed me that it can be a lot more expensive to do so, especially in older areas where the location of next door's footings is unknown... What is your parking situation? Is there rear lane access or do you have to have a garage facing the street? What are your councils requirements with parking allowances? Do you need a two car garage or can you make do with one? Remember a two car garage is going to be at least 7m wide which will dominate your front facade. What are the surrounding properties like? Single or double storey? Have they built close to the boundary and will they be effecting the amount of light you recieve? What's your budget? The easiest way to attack a narrow block is to go up and build a two storey but from my experience the cheapest of two storey designs will still cost upward of $250k by the time you add in site costs, basix, floor coverings, etc etc. For some people that wouldn't be a problem but it restricted me to a single storey. The other thing I found was that for such a difficult block project home builders may not always be the cheapest option due to increased site costs. For many project home builders my block was too much hard work and that was reflected in site costs, the custom builder I ended up going with offered site costs that were less than half the price of those from Rawson, Eden Brae, Cosmo etc. Hope that gives you some help and ideas, I've only just joined the site so I haven't put a copy of my plans up yet but once I have check them out and see if it gives you any ideas. What part of Australia are you from? The architect I dealt with is always up for a challenge and If you're in the Sydney to Newcastle region of NSW I'm sure he could help you out! Good Luck! Custom Design, Private Builder Floors Sealed, Ready To Move In! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=19196 Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 18Jun 09, 2009 12:43 pm Hmmm..Yeah... I think they DO slug you with extra site costs for narrow blocks... just because they know you have very limited options. I will be interested to see your plans, too, mjt. I am in Sydney, so if we decide to bump the project builders I might just be in contact to seek out your architect!! Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 19Jun 09, 2009 8:45 pm Kkaz, Check my other post; http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19196 I've put some plans up. If you've got any questions feel free to send me a PM! Custom Design, Private Builder Floors Sealed, Ready To Move In! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=19196 Re: Advice on Very Narrow Block!! 20Oct 28, 2012 7:08 am Hi to all interested in narrow blocks. Personally, I think the solution is custom-design. There so many factors to take into account. as mjt084 points out. But there are more - energy efficiency and aesthetics. Don't forget the views, the amenities, and the function. Check my article on narrow sloping blocks. cheers dimensions on your original plan are inconsistent and with accurate dimensions (including site plan, upstairs and down) i could make a proper scale drawing with furniture… 3 7516 Thanks again for this information. If you do hear anything different, would be great to know 4 8242 So it looks like we finally have some movement on site! Definitely later than expected, but I'll take any progress at this point. I'll drop by over the weekend to get… 5 27711 |