Building on Sloping Blocks

As new Home Builders Coomera, Pimpama and the greater Gold Coast & Brisbane region we often are presented with clients that have purchased sloping blocks of land.

Most notably some land developers cut and bench sloping blocks and then sell off these as flat blocks of land to the public when preparing the land estate. When this task is undertaken the land developer will then undertake and retain any cut and fill by way of retaining walls.  The benefits are that you avoid having to engage home builders in Coomera, Pimpama including surrounding areas to undertake any additional cut/fill requirements including any additional retaining walls, however these blocks of land do come with a higher price tag as it costs the land developer more to improve.

On the other hand we find some land developers opt to keep the natural topography of the land while preparing the land estate thus avoiding the additional costs in cut/fill including the supply and install of retaining walls. The benefit for you is the land price on a sloping block of land will be far cheaper than that of a flat block of land but beware there are some things to consider when purchasing a sloping block of land that may well cost you more to build your dream home when engaging a new home builder in Coomera, Pimpama and surrounding areas.

When engaging home builders in Coomera, Pimpama, Greater Brisbane, and Gold Coast, the primary cost consideration is site works, particularly excavation, which can exceed $20,000 depending on the land’s slope. If the land is too steep for traditional excavation, alternative methods like pole homes or stumped homes may be necessary, though these options also come with their own costs.

After excavating the sloping land in Coomera, the next step is to retain the cut and fill locations of your building pad, considering various types of retaining walls. Timber walls are cheaper and easier to install but have a shorter lifespan, while rock and concrete sleeper walls are more durable but significantly more expensive, potentially exceeding $20,000 based on complexity and extent.

Before building your new home in Coomera, Pimpama, or the greater Brisbane and Gold Coast, a soil test is essential, particularly for sloping blocks which may require extra underpinning due to fill. It is advisable to engage an engineer for a slope stability report to ensure foundations are adequately designed for any unforeseen geological conditions, with potential additional costs ranging from $500 to $1500 depending on location and slope extent.

No all the above works are completed your new home builders in Coomera, Pimpama and surrounds can focus on commencing actual construction on your new home. Site access is also a big cost consideration. The home builders will also need to roadmap the process for site works and construction to ensure the required machinery and vehicles have access to the site and understand where additional equipment (such as a crane) will be located.

The key to minimizing construction costs on a sloping block is to reduce the amount of earthworks required and reduce the amount and extent of engineered retaining walls. This can be achieved by adopting a house design that suits your block.

So what type of home can you build on a sloping block?

There are many factors that will determine house design on sloping blocks

• Sloping up – the low point being at the road.
• Sloping down – the high point being at the road.
• Cross fall – the slope is from right to left or vice versa.
• Cross fall + sloping– a combination of all of the above.

When working with home builders in Coomera, it is essential to evaluate the specifics of your sloping block. Our team leverages extensive expertise to develop innovative design strategies that address the unique challenges of your site, collaborating closely with you to define a clear brief and budget while minimizing unexpected costs. We are committed to delivering a tailored solution that enhances both functionality and aesthetics. Our home design consultant will assess the land on-site, using their experience to identify creative design options, ultimately providing the best possible solution for your new home within budget constraints.

If you have purchased, or are considering purchasing, your dream block of land which has a rise or fall from the road – or a cross fall – you need to talk to a builder who is experienced with building on this type of land. Engaging a builder with their own design team can also lead to big savings.  They can advise on the most economical way to handle structural issues and design efficiency, while still achieving the home that you desire.

Bluewood Homes have designed and built many homes on sloping blocks, remember experience is necessary and communication is vital in ensuring your new home build achieves your expectations.