Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 09, 2010 1:35 pm Hey guys, My wife and I are trying to decide whether or not to go ahead an buy what is a potentially tricky block with a nice view. I'm just not sure how to go about deciding whether or not we'll be able to afford to build on it or whether we are going to get ourselves in trouble. The block is almost flat on top from the road, but then slopes downwards sharply. I'm not sure the gradient yet. Not 45 degs but its steep. The majority of the house would be on that fairly flat ground but we would need to place the main living area down on the slope to get the most of the view and see past the neighbouring houses etc. After buying the block we would probably have a total budget of $275-$300k for the whole house. We don't mind if its small to begin with (20sq) and then extend later. Without doing a full assessment (there's not time) we probably won't know whether any of the project builders will touch it or not. Is that peoples experience? If they won't, and we have to do a custom build, I'm getting told to expect to pay $15K+ per square for that type of thing. Reading these forums though it seems that people get completely custom houses done for a lot less than that. Have I just been talking to expensive people? I really just want to have the confidence that yes we can definately build SOMETHING that is of good quality for under $300k total project cost. Anyone have some advice for how to decide this? Thanks!! Great forum here. Re: Can we afford to build on this sloping block? 4Sep 09, 2010 3:33 pm hi there, i love diamond creek area very nice views but expensive on excavations. i m hoping to buy there in the next few years.. But i bought in Doreen with a slight fall mine only had 1.8 meters fall back left side to right side to front if that makes sence? and it cost me 16k trough a builder but i got prices privately and to make it a flat block around 600m2 only priced me 5k but it was to late and the builder wouldent let me do it... so what i suggest is you get it excavated privately before you build with a builder... but always keep in mind retaining walls. allot of people do them selfs witch i am gonna do also not very hard if you know how to use a few basic power tools. Re: Can we afford to build on this sloping block? 5Sep 09, 2010 5:16 pm Hi ads, I have found that there aren't many volume builders who will tackle land with much by way of fall; certainly not the kind of hill you are talking about. I own a block of land at Warragul which is fairly steep and had a quote for a substantial 2 storey dwelling (I think it was in the 30ish squares range) for $330K. It was through a private builder who is a friend of the family. Keep in mind though that you may need to design your own plans and get council approval for anything that's bespoke and that will add to the costs. So I certainly think your plan is do-able but it might be tricky. Have you had a soil survey done or can you get one done? Because I reckon a major issue in the Diamond Creek area (when it comes to site costs) would be rocks and those will cost you a lot of money to remove. Good luck with it all Re: Can we afford to build on this sloping block? 6Sep 09, 2010 7:52 pm I am currently building on a sloping block in SE suburbs of Melb and had similar conerns to yours I conducted feasibility prior to putting in an offer on the block I liked. My experiences are that no volume builder will be remotely interested in looking at it, however there are some good custom builders who will. I got quotes from Rycon, *** & LP Warren who were all happy to inspect the block and give estimates on site and potential building costs. Including site costs you will be looking anywhere from $12-15K per square. Best of luck. Re: Can we afford to build on this sloping block? 7Sep 09, 2010 10:29 pm Thanks JML. I'll give those builders a call and try and arrange an inspection of the block with them if there's time. Very hard to get a good feel for things prior to buying it seems. Which of them did you end up using if I can ask? Re: Can we afford to build on this sloping block? 8Sep 10, 2010 6:52 am I would think that $12 - $15k would be a reasonable estimate to get a custom designed house. If you work with the slope (i.e. split level) that might reduce site costs for you. Another user on here (lisahello) bought land near to you and levelled the building pad herself (well she got someone to do it), and then was able to get a project builder to build on her land - is that an option with this block? That cuts down the cost quite a bit compared to a custom build. 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 18575 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 20168 |