Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 27, 2010 10:05 am I have a feeling this is a very newbie question...well, I am a newbie so that makes sense ! By apologies for my complete lack of knowledge. Our block has a "hump" right under where the middle of the house is going, and the rest of the yard has a gentle slope away from the house. This is the house we are likely building - we have just received preliminary plans so have a long way to go. http://www.rawsonhomes.net.au/home-design-floorplan.php?id=NJ7872RJO6ZL949KXEOF38QE4Z6NRLS On our block, from the alfresco area, there is quite a drop (in fact, the back end has 3 steps to get down to ground level). We would definitely need to put railings around it to make it kid/guest friendly. Because the block continues to slope towards the back of the house, and we will also have 6 steps off the laundry, we are thinking the best solution might be to add a deck that continues from the alfresco down to the laundry area, the whole area would be an l-shape, about 6 metres long by 3.6 metres and the end L-bit would be about 7m wide. We would then put railings around the entire deck/alfresco area and have one step of (gated) steps at the back of it. I'm expecting either way this is going to be an expensive proposition - but would it be cheaper to have the cement slab extended to this area and just add railings to that, or to put a deck on? We have also requested a price to have the alfresco part of the slab sunk to ground level so that the steps are between house/alfresco rather than alfresco/yard, but want to consider all options. Thanks in advance for any advice Re: Extending slab vs adding a deck 2Dec 27, 2010 1:15 pm If you are still a way from building it would be best to wait until the builder has developed the final drawings. They will probably be looking to do some site levelling by cut and fill first which might reduce the problem. I prefer to use a deck and have ramps rather than steps. Its easier to wheel the barby round from the garage to the al fresco on a ramp than lift up several steps. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. If your patio is going to be 35 sqm then that's going to need Council Approval. The fact that they previously approved your 25sqm patio will be irelevant 1 5503 Ask for some kickplate to be added and also for tradies to be requested to use lanyards on tools on that side of the building. Be respectful and have the discussion… 1 1689 There is insufficient information to give a meaningful answer. You should talk to council planning. Apart from building construction issues, if you are adding floor area… 1 7981 |