Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 12, 2010 3:47 pm Hi Guys As posted on the Landscaping Board, i am stressing out over the building plans.. As you see in the attachment, the block of land has a slope to it, however was wondering if it's possible to request from the builder "Rawson" for a retaining wall out front in order to keep the house flat rather than one side higher than the other.. Thanks in advance... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ All Finally Done March 2012 Re: Help Required - Sloping Plans 3Jan 12, 2010 4:26 pm Hi Marcus, So do you want the higher side dug out to be level with the garage side? I suppose if that's what you wanted you could ask the builder but I can think of a couple of issues off the top of my head......the cost of the retaining wall along the whole length of the house would be quite a big expense and I *think* it would mean extra drop edge beams. You are looking at an engineered retaining wall that would need council approval - not sure if you have your DA approved as yet? The other thing that comes to mind is drainage. I'm thinking you would need extra drainage for rainwater as there is no natural flow, the water would just sit there??? I could be completely wrong! Bel Still not in. Don't ask!? Re: Help Required - Sloping Plans 4Jan 12, 2010 6:25 pm You're right Ferny - contract states that Council Building Requirements: *Provide 686mm step-down to Garage to comply with Council cut / fill policy.. If this is a requirement can it be altered ? Bel - i would prefer the building to be level throughout, rather than having pre-cast steps at the front and from the laundry... The builder will submit the plans to council once they get back from holidays so it hasn't been approved yet.. how much would i be looking at for the engineered retaining wall.. For the build my site costs & council requirements have hit hard.. total $54,000 All Finally Done March 2012 Re: Help Required - Sloping Plans 5Jan 12, 2010 7:04 pm Markus1984 how much would i be looking at for the engineered retaining wall.. How long is a piece of string! The problem I think you *might* have - hard to tell from those plans is that if the retaining wall is over 1m in height you need the engineered wall, and depending on council, only built out of certain materials (ie can only use concrete say not timber) Let me find some threads for you...... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25042&hilit=+retaining+wall viewtopic.php?f=19&t=22500&hilit=+retaining+wall viewtopic.php?f=31&t=21905&hilit=+retaining+wall Markus1984 For the build my site costs & council requirements have hit hard.. total $54,000 Yep mines similar - actually probably more! Welcome to building on a slope! Bel Still not in. Don't ask!? Re: Help Required - Sloping Plans 6Jan 13, 2010 9:10 am Thanks Bel.. Well now i have to consider if it's really worth the hassle .. My personal opinion is that houses look much better when it's sitting flat and without the required step-downs .. Plus lanscaping would be much easier.. I guess it's back to the drawing board.. All Finally Done March 2012 Re: Help Required - Sloping Plans 7Jan 13, 2010 6:32 pm No Problems I actually don't think it looks bad at all, and once you have a bit of landscaping around, don't think you would notice too much. You'd die at what we are proposing - it's butt ugly from the outside!!!! Bel Still not in. Don't ask!? Re: Help Required - Sloping Plans 8Jan 13, 2010 10:37 pm I love the look of your elevations, you will find it will have benefits with your landscaping as building with the slope of the land will reduce external retaining walls, It was common years ago to build a house like this but builders justed wanted to make building easier for themselves and flatten the building zone so thats what we have become use to doing, thank god more builder now are willing to build to the slope of the land. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Howdy all. I am looking for feedback on what people would do to maximise and make an area as flat as possible. First, out the front of the house is a sloping hill, pretty… 0 20165 Give Jonathan a call. Tell him you know me. He is in my opinion the best surveyor I have ever worked with. His number is 0425 285 622 All the best Simeon 3 12423 i did click it, still couldnt make it out rofl. in any case, doesnt look like too extreme a slope, you may be in luck. Just shoot out some emails to volume builders in… 3 18573 |