theswisscheeseth A sloping site has many benefits. It can give you access to some of the best views in town and provide a unique foundation for your home design. But, it can also be challenging and expensive to build on.
Is it better to build a new home or remodel?
Cost – A sloping site can be considerably more costly to build on than a flat lot due to the excavation, landscaping and increased labour and engineering costs. The type of soil, the quality and grade of the land and the location of your site can all impact the cost of building.
Drainage – Your sloping site may require more specialised drainage systems such as soakaways, stormwater tanks, stormwater pits or absorption trenches to prevent surface water from flooding your lower floor.
Soil Testing – Sloping sites often have unstable soils which can increase the risk of erosion and mudslides if disturbed. This is why it is important to get a soil test before construction starts.
Retaining Walls – Sloping sites that need excavation close to the external boundaries of the house will often need retaining walls built.
Natural Lighting – Sloping sites often have excellent views and will allow your home to catch more sunlight than flat sites. This can make your home more energy efficient and save you money on utility bills in the long term.
In addition, sloping sites offer the opportunity to build over multiple levels which is a common feature in split-level designs. The benefit of a multi-level house design is that it allows you to create cascading levels purposefully designed to take full advantage of the unique topography of your property.