Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 30, 2014 6:39 am Hi all! We are VERY new to the building world, having just paid a holding deposit on our dream block Just trying to decide now though, single or double?!?! Our block is 20m wide and 60m deep with some fall across the building envelope (so they *may* have to split our single level anyway). I am sold on a single that the builder we are looking at has sent to us (Allc@stle) but it is 18m wide so hubby is worried we wont be able to drive a car/boat/trailer etc to the back of our block (triple garage that backs onto our alfresco). Also our neighbors all seem to be designing double storey so he is wondering if that should affect our decision??? Any help would be much appreciated! The double would be 10m wide and 13 deep, single would be 18m wide and 16.5m deep (My argument to him is yeah they will all have big doubles but ours will be a HUGE frontage single level!!!) Thanks all! Loving reading all the threads!!!! Jo Jo Building 'The Havana Executive' on 1200sqm Re: Single or double?? 2Jun 30, 2014 7:54 am How much of a fall is there on the block? Has it been surveyed? When it comes to site costs a double storey build is generally cheaper as it has a smaller footprint. I would personally prefer to have room on the sides of the house. Have a look at our plans on my thread. We have a 19m wide block and will still have up to 4m on each side. BLOG: http://www.ourphoenix38.blogspot.com.au H1 THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70454 Re: Single or double?? 3Jun 30, 2014 8:58 am No one needs to build a double storey house just because most of the neighbours chose to build that way. You may find in 10 or so years in time that when you go to sell, a single storey might be more sought after in your area. There are many reasons why single storey homes might work out better. Home is all on one level, so those with disabilities can get around easier. Children don't have stairs that they could fall down/gated stairways are a pain for others to open and close all the time. Stairs are a pain in the bum to go up and down all the time. When I was a child, a two storey house was great, as we were able to slide down the bannister all the time. Owner Building at Jimboomba Woods in Logan City Qld. Blog : http://bandlnewhomebuild.blogspot.com H1 thread : viewtopic.php?f=38&t=68283 . Re: Single or double?? 4Jun 30, 2014 10:10 am I agree with the single storey for disabilities. On stairs, we have always lived in places with stairs and our two kids have never had any accidents with stairs. I would keep looking at the options available as a 20 meters frontage provides many options both single and double. Re: Single or double?? 6Jun 30, 2014 12:21 pm Single is usually more convenient; I guess theoretically if your double has the stairs central in the house, every room is closer to the others on-average, but those stairs are definitely a bit of a mental barrier even if you are a fit young whippersnapper. Double is really a compromise; you want a view but can't get it from the ground floor, you want more space but the block's not that big ... I can't think of others, but there probably are some. There would be no reasons that people buy a two-storey house because it's a two-storey house, they'd buy a two-storey house because it's larger or because it has good views; but people do buy single-storey houses purely because they're all on one level. The design of the single can't be tweaked slightly to allow side access? Or even a drive-through garage? Maybe a link to the design in question might allow people to make some suggestions? Re: Single or double?? 7Jun 30, 2014 12:53 pm Thanks for the input everyone! Well, our current home was due to exchange this week but the buyer has just pulled out so looks like we are back to sq 1... Jo Building 'The Havana Executive' on 1200sqm Re: Single or double?? 8Jul 12, 2014 3:40 pm Well, we are trying to get the finance approval to get our 'dream block' anyway, and will build once we sell our current home Thanks for all the tips everyone, I am sure if we get through I will have a zillion questions! Oh I will add a pic of the contours too! Although it is quite a bit flatter up top now since all of the earthworks for the estate were done Jo Jo Building 'The Havana Executive' on 1200sqm Re: Single or double?? 9Jul 12, 2014 7:01 pm Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Jo Building 'The Havana Executive' on 1200sqm Re: Single or double?? (Updated with contours and pics!) 10Jul 12, 2014 8:17 pm Have you lived in a double storey before? It can be quite a change if you haven't. [sneakersss] Re: Single or double?? (Updated with contours and pics!) 11Jul 12, 2014 8:28 pm I lived the first 25 years in a single storey and the last 22 in Double Storey houses. I like double storey because the personal spaces can be mostly upstairs and living entertaining downstairs. I was careful to ensure there was a decent guest room downstairs though. I had a knee reconstruction and could not walk up stairs for a while and having a bedroom on the lower floor was a go send. In my build I really didn't even consider a lift until it was too late, so consequently I know have a lift. I am not sure I agree that double is a compromise, I think its different but not necessary a compromise. Re: Single or double?? (Updated with contours and pics!) 12Jul 13, 2014 6:59 am I have, many years ago in a rental. Hubby hasn't. To be honest I am leaning well towards a single but our fear was we would have to spend a fortune splitting the design with a larger footprint. We have had a couple of builders look the the land though and all have said it appears to be a load flatter since earthworks have been completed. Will wait to see what the banks say and go from there! Jo Jo Building 'The Havana Executive' on 1200sqm Hello All š We are planning to start our journey of construction our first home. We zeroed down on Metricon and henley homes based on design suitable for our lot and… 0 8200 Iām in a similar position except Iām after sliding 3 stacking doors. I am on a second-story apartment of which the balcony would not adequately fit any bi-fold or… 5 16150 Current door width is approx 2700, looking to have double doors fitted 820-820. What size does the frame need to be before door jamb? Thanks 0 3548 |