Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 05, 2012 3:27 pm Hi I am trying this for a second time as I did not seem to get much help the first time I tried. I have a sloping block in Melbourne. I want to use a builder that constructs with a steel frame. Does anyone know someone or can point me in the right direction to find a decent builder to build our home? Re: Building on a sloping block 2Sep 05, 2012 8:05 pm I would assume that any custom sloping block builder would build with a steel frame if that's what you really wanted. What area of Melbourne are you in? Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Building on a sloping block 3Sep 06, 2012 2:31 am Don't worry. You are not alone for sloping block. I'm building on sloping block in Melbourne as well and I have been looking for designers and builders for some time too. I was looking at steel frame at first as well but not much luck as the only builders I found willing to work with steel frame and custom home is JG King Homes and True Blue Homes. With JG King, once they know how steep is the slope on my block, they run away pretty quick. True Blue Homes, I haven't contacted them, but I contacted their frame / kit supplier ezyhomes before. They can work with custom plans and have the frames manufactured. Btw, I was looking around Eltham North but ended up buying elsewhere. Re: Building on a sloping block 4Sep 06, 2012 7:31 am Congrats for building on a sloping block. I really like homes built on sloping sites, you usually see a far more interesting design place with split/multi floor levels – stuff like vaulted ceilings, thermal chimney for passive cooling, multi level outdoor zones, etc. Downside is cost of earthworks and foundations. ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Re: Building on a sloping block 5Sep 06, 2012 11:37 am Hi HomeAngels,snowing & PAB_34, thank you all for your replies. We thought the same as you HA as we too believed that any custom home builder would be willing to build with steel. Well, we were wrong. We did think we had a builder but as of yesterday they pulled out after seeing the site. They wanted us to put in another $100K that we do not have. So here we are back at square 1. Eltham North hey snowing, well what do you know? Eltham North is exactly where we are. We just couldnt leave the area. I have been advised by a friend in the industry to find an engineer and a draftsman/ architect, get the plans drwan up and put it to tender. We were hoping a company that both builds and designs would be our answer. For awhile it almost was. I was dealing with a lovely company until yesterday. I am glad they told me about the extra cost, I am just at a loss as to what to do next. Hence being here looking for some direction. So my next question is does anyone have a good engineer, draftsman or architect they could point me to? Cheers Re: Building on a sloping block 6Sep 06, 2012 12:45 pm Eltham North is a nice place. I was originally looking at blocks around Eltham and Warrandyte area as my parents are near Warrandyte. But I end up with a block in Croydon North. I have tried to work with draftman/architect + engineer + builder combination. Your friend is correct that at this point if you have decided on custom build, get the design and plans done first. You have a concept or design in mind yet? You can try Torrenssteel on the concept and plan but before approach them you better have some ideas or concept of your own first. They can get carried away sometimes.. The other one I would recommend is Maxa Design. They will be more expensive but better service. Between, you have your contour survey and site classification done yet? Re: Building on a sloping block 7Sep 06, 2012 10:19 pm Snowing your house looks great. I will be watching for updates. Thanks for the two leads. My friend has actually come back to me and suggested a PM (project manager) he will be forwarding me some contacts and details in the next few days. So I guess, one door may have closed but a few more have opened. Thanks again Re: Building on a sloping block 9Sep 09, 2012 7:29 pm sam10 Snowing your house looks great. I will be watching for updates. Thanks for the two leads. My friend has actually come back to me and suggested a PM (project manager) he will be forwarding me some contacts and details in the next few days. So I guess, one door may have closed but a few more have opened. Thanks again Hi Sam10, we have engaged Sloping Block Builders to build our home. Very early days as we are still in the plan drafting stage. They have their own architect that will draft plans to suit your site. So far we have been happy with what they've produced. Good luck with your search Nadia Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Building on a sloping block 10Nov 02, 2012 11:05 am Hi Sam10, What was the outcome of your sloping block dilemma? We have recently purchased in Eltham North (3 metre fall from front to back) and are looking at options available as it appears volume builders are not interested. Re: Building on a sloping block 12Nov 05, 2012 3:18 pm I have been building on sloping blocks for 27 years. I estimate 600 of the houses I have built are on sloping blocks. To me, a flat block has one metre of fall. A steep block? The worst case that I can think of had so much fall the FFL (Finished Floor Level) on the ground floor was 8m. That was a sloping block! Anyway, I think the use of steel is good. I am looking at steel subfloors. One of the problems is finding experienced guys young enough to be willing to do the work on a sloping site. The other problem is trying to work with plans drawn by a drafter who didn't understand the job of building on sloping sites, or if he did he thought the client had lots of money. My view is forget the volume builders. I think we can all see that it is not their thing. Find a small builder who has design and construct skills. I call him the Designer Builder. He should be able to cope. By the way, owner-builders and those who engage project managers? I just have not found many people wanting to build without a set fixed price. Clients seem to want to know the ceiling? cheers to all 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 12372 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 18545 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 20137 |