Hi all,
Looking for some advise and ideas on an issue regarding our new build.
We have a block of land that slopes towards the street (high backyard).
The builder is creating a level single storey house based on cut an fill with approx 15 truckloads of spoil removal already and drop edge beams on the front. The garage has been dropped 6 courses and there are stairs in the front porch. This has already set us back by an additional $20k.
Block view:
[img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560895996.jpg[/img:1v54eahz]
We were fine with all of this until when we saw the final drawings for CDC submission which has our backyard at a level 1 mtr above the alfresco. This means we will have a raised backyard with stairs to reach it.
Back view:
[img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896038.jpg[/img:1v54eahz]
Rear side view:
[img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896069.jpg[/img:1v54eahz]
The builder has recommended retaining walls all around the back of the house (see first pic) which will cost us extra (don't know how much though - guess 5-7k).
Our preference is to have a level backyard, however the builder has advised that there will be massive costs for spoil removal, high quality retaining walls and will cost us much more.
Just looking for ideas on how can we make this work with the least possible cost obviously and have a flat backyard level with our house.
House plan:
[img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896098.jpg[/img:1v54eahz]
We do not want a split house and the option we are playing with is to increase the height of the overall house except the garage to meet the driveway gradient requirements.
This will mean a lot of steps in the front patio nd inside the garage, is it practical? Has anyone seen or build something like this before?
Any ideas will be highly appreciated.
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Browse Forums Building A New House  08 Oct 2018 261 Silver Member Re: Building on a sloping block 5Jun 19, 2019 12:02 pm  JokerYou pretty much have described my build,1.9metre retaining wall down all back of block and sides eventually on sides fading back to ground level, single storey with only garage laundry down at front of house , also a massive storage area off garage,maybe 2-3times bigger than garage, picture attached. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ How much for retaining walls and the sloping driveway? $50k - $75k or more? 09 Jul 2018 15 Junior Member Re: Building on a sloping block 9Jun 19, 2019 6:09 pm  IamSAMFrom a long term perspective to maintain the value of your house - level the entire backyard as per Alfresco. This will mean one-time costs for excavation, removal, water drainage, retaining wall approvals and actual retaining wall. This retaining wall will be close to lot boundary. If lot access is only from front, then such large excavation should be done prior to build. Thanks and exactly our thought process right now despite that it is going to cost us a lot. 09 Jul 2018 15 Junior Member Re: Building on a sloping block 10Jun 19, 2019 6:12 pm ForgHow much higher are you intending to raise the house? Our garage is ~600mm lower than the house, for similar reasons. It can be useful, we've installed some shelving above the level of the cars, and stuff we rarely need to use is up there - meaning you can have storage on the sides PLUS be able to actually open car doors. Only downside is that the internal stair in the garage does take-up space, if the house is 1m higher than the garage those stairs will stop you from parking anything much longer than a Corolla on that side of the garage. Think about getting a taller garage-door while you're at it, you might not have some lame jacked-up 4WD with a tent on the roof, but the person you eventually want to sell to might … As per the drawings we will be approximately 1.3mts high from the garage level. Thanks for the insights, in fact the builder said the same issue with high stairs eating out the second car park space. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ 09 Jul 2018 15 Junior Member Re: Building on a sloping block 12Jun 19, 2019 6:20 pm MelosYou can get rainwater tank flower beds that double as retaining walls. These might come in handy for what you need and may reduce the cost. Your images aren’t showing https://www.landscapetanks.com.au/produ ... ing-walls/ Thanks Mel for sharing tht option, wasn't aware of it at all and also about the photos. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Building on a sloping block 14Jun 19, 2019 6:48 pm sunbox24Hi all, Looking for some advise and ideas on an issue regarding our new build. We have a block of land that slopes towards the street (high backyard). The builder is creating a level single storey house based on cut an fill with approx 15 truckloads of spoil removal already and drop edge beams on the front. The garage has been dropped 6 courses and there are stairs in the front porch. This has already set us back by an additional $20k. Block view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560895996.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] We were fine with all of this until when we saw the final drawings for CDC submission which has our backyard at a level 1 mtr above the alfresco. This means we will have a raised backyard with stairs to reach it. Back view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896038.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] Rear side view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896069.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] The builder has recommended retaining walls all around the back of the house (see first pic) which will cost us extra (don't know how much though - guess 5-7k). Our preference is to have a level backyard, however the builder has advised that there will be massive costs for spoil removal, high quality retaining walls and will cost us much more. Just looking for ideas on how can we make this work with the least possible cost obviously and have a flat backyard level with our house. House plan: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896098.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] We do not want a split house and the option we are playing with is to increase the height of the overall house except the garage to meet the driveway gradient requirements. This will mean a lot of steps in the front patio nd inside the garage, is it practical? Has anyone seen or build something like this before? Any ideas will be highly appreciated. Who is your builder? There is a few options that I can think of that would help in this situation. 09 Jul 2018 15 Junior Member Re: Building on a sloping block 15Jun 19, 2019 8:20 pm JokerPrices were four years ago,but was Owner builder with a project manager whom got most quotes along with mine,ended up he personally did both jobs,I gave him incentive by allowing him to take clients through house ,one reason I got really good prices ,I also would research and learn each up coming step,what was best practices so pm knew I had knowledge on my side,but I pretty much interviewed him before agreeing on anything and visited in detail three just finished homes. Thanks, that puts it into perspective. 09 Jul 2018 15 Junior Member Re: Building on a sloping block 16Jun 19, 2019 8:22 pm  Renman sunbox24Hi all, Looking for some advise and ideas on an issue regarding our new build. We have a block of land that slopes towards the street (high backyard). The builder is creating a level single storey house based on cut an fill with approx 15 truckloads of spoil removal already and drop edge beams on the front. The garage has been dropped 6 courses and there are stairs in the front porch. This has already set us back by an additional $20k. Block view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560895996.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] We were fine with all of this until when we saw the final drawings for CDC submission which has our backyard at a level 1 mtr above the alfresco. This means we will have a raised backyard with stairs to reach it. Back view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896038.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] Rear side view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896069.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] The builder has recommended retaining walls all around the back of the house (see first pic) which will cost us extra (don't know how much though - guess 5-7k). Our preference is to have a level backyard, however the builder has advised that there will be massive costs for spoil removal, high quality retaining walls and will cost us much more. Just looking for ideas on how can we make this work with the least possible cost obviously and have a flat backyard level with our house. House plan: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896098.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] We do not want a split house and the option we are playing with is to increase the height of the overall house except the garage to meet the driveway gradient requirements. This will mean a lot of steps in the front patio nd inside the garage, is it practical? Has anyone seen or build something like this before? Any ideas will be highly appreciated. Who is your builder? There is a few options that I can think of that would help in this situation. We are building with Masterton group, all options/suggestions are most welcome  Re: Building on a sloping block 17Jun 19, 2019 10:11 pm sunbox24 Renman sunbox24Hi all, Looking for some advise and ideas on an issue regarding our new build. We have a block of land that slopes towards the street (high backyard). The builder is creating a level single storey house based on cut an fill with approx 15 truckloads of spoil removal already and drop edge beams on the front. The garage has been dropped 6 courses and there are stairs in the front porch. This has already set us back by an additional $20k. Block view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560895996.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] We were fine with all of this until when we saw the final drawings for CDC submission which has our backyard at a level 1 mtr above the alfresco. This means we will have a raised backyard with stairs to reach it. Back view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896038.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] Rear side view: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896069.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] The builder has recommended retaining walls all around the back of the house (see first pic) which will cost us extra (don't know how much though - guess 5-7k). Our preference is to have a level backyard, however the builder has advised that there will be massive costs for spoil removal, high quality retaining walls and will cost us much more. Just looking for ideas on how can we make this work with the least possible cost obviously and have a flat backyard level with our house. House plan: [img:1v54eahz]https://forum.homeone.com.au/u/84784_1560896098.jpg[/img:1v54eahz] We do not want a split house and the option we are playing with is to increase the height of the overall house except the garage to meet the driveway gradient requirements. This will mean a lot of steps in the front patio nd inside the garage, is it practical? Has anyone seen or build something like this before? Any ideas will be highly appreciated. Who is your builder? There is a few options that I can think of that would help in this situation. We are building with Masterton group, all options/suggestions are most welcome Kev 1 More info required, on Slope, Soil type, Retention,trickle/discharge, pressurised,RLs, etc Many councils also used different rainfall/flow models requiring… 1 694  Hi We're thinking of purchasing a large (~1000sqm) battle axe block. The length of the battle axe is about 20m. It's fairly level but it does have 2 distinct… 0 323 I can’t help on a builder but can relate to thoughts of selling your block. We too had a block with sensational views, nearly sold it several times but it always came… 1 557  |
