Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 18, 2013 11:56 am Hi again My wife and I found a block last week that we think has a bit of potential but like all things in this game it is not that easy. The block has 1.6mtr fall front to back (only 1 to 1.3 over the build area) There is over 1m of fall from rear corner to front and back to front right side. Does that sound complicated or is it just me? We have had the sect 32 looked at and that is fine other than the standard estate clauses about colour design and landscaping. but just wondering what else we should get from the agent before we make the plunge and put down the hold deposit, the site is due to settle within the month for all other soon to be residents but we will look at asking for 45-60 days. Also does the slope seem to extreme? and I have to ask that standard variable question do you think our site costs will be large as we only have a $30,000 site cost budget at this stage. I know from reading just how variable that result will be. Many thanks I ll try not to burden you all with this silly questions like these to often Land settled 07-NOV-2013 Colour Selection 18-FEB-2014 Tender 04-MAR-2014 Contract 11-MAR-2014 Building permit 02-APR-2014 Soil Scrape 07-MAY-2014 Slab Poured 02-JUN-2014 Frame complete 12-JUN-2014 Re: What do we need to get a started 2Aug 18, 2013 12:26 pm Think about a split-level design. Alternatively many plans can be readily adapted for split level. Expect to pay more for site costs and materials ( e.g. Extra bricks or more concrete in structural elements of your slab ). Build thread: here Land Nov 12, Contract 6/07/13, Consent 15/08/13, Start 20/09/13, Slab 25/09/13, Frame 4/10/13, Brick 21/10/13, Roof 2/11/13, Lock-up 17/12/13, Handover 3/3/14 Re: What do we need to get a started 3Aug 18, 2013 12:40 pm We had 1 metre drop from the rear of the house to the front. It cost us $880 per day for additional 2 days excavator and cost of fill on top (fill is really cheap, i think 300 bucks a truck or something like that. We filled instead of cut. This allowed us to have a slab that is the same as if it was on flat ground, meaning no extra concrete costs. Worth every cent. Now we just have to put a retaining wall across the back yard as we had around 1.5m total fall. We've put a retaining wall on rear boundary (8m) which cost around $2000. and will put another one around 6m in from rear boundary so that the backyard is flat ground. We also have to put a small retaining wall along one boundary, around 600mm high. That will be cheap so not bothered. We have a great builder and are on a cost plus contract, i.e. we only pay for actual costs incurred + builders margin. I would suggest it might be better to get the site prepared for slab yourself as I' sure a lot of building companies gouge money from people for site costs without disclosing what actually cost so much. Re: What do we need to get a started 4Aug 19, 2013 6:27 pm Thank you for the advice, so much to consider and take in when do we start having fun, lol Land settled 07-NOV-2013 Colour Selection 18-FEB-2014 Tender 04-MAR-2014 Contract 11-MAR-2014 Building permit 02-APR-2014 Soil Scrape 07-MAY-2014 Slab Poured 02-JUN-2014 Frame complete 12-JUN-2014 Re: What do we need to get a started 5Aug 23, 2013 2:23 pm It's not so much about what you need beyond a section 32, as getting to know the document itself, any information that is included in it that can give you an understanding of what you may be looking at. If possible, get a good builder on board before you even buy. If they are a builder with experience in solutions for sloping blocks, and who have good integrity, they should be able to meet you on site and give you some idea as to possible building solutions and site costs. With that much slope, don't approach Volume builders (they would probably reject it, but even if they took it on, the methods they use would not maximise the useability of your land or its view... and that's an understatement). There are a number of excellent builders who specialise in sloping blocks in Melbourne, do an internet search, check the websites, check client references, and try to meet one or two on site. If you can get a builder who you trust, they will be able to help advise you through the rather fraught terrain of building, especially on slope. And it's best if you can find them BEFORE you buy the land! Depends how much direct sun it gets. Is there any shading (eaves or trees)? If the sun hits a window directly it doesn't matter too much if it's double or single… 1 12671 9 24816 Congratulations! Nice to put that to bed before christmas, now you can relax 3 7187 |