Choosing the perfect block of land for your new house
It’s the end of 2018 and next year, your plan is to build a brand new house.
Your dream house.
The first step for that plan to come to fruition is to find the right block of land, in the right area.
Our clients are often asking about how to decide if a particular block of land will work for them – will it be ok for our new house?
Besides working well with the type of design you are wanting, there are often things that the untrained eye doesn’t identify.
It’s an important decision, so we have put together some of the more common questions to help you decide.
Of course, having a building design firm on board who understands how to manage challenges for specific blocks is always a good idea too!
Location
Is the block close to the amenities or utilities that are important to your family?
Are there parks / transport / schools nearby?
Size, shape, orientation and slope of the block
If the block is on a considerable slope, it may require cut and fill, or the house design will have to take the angle of the block into consideration.
Aggressive slope angles can also affect the amount of sunlight that flows into different areas of the block – food for thought.
Check the width and depth of the block as compared to the kind of house that you would like to build.
How are the neighbouring houses and trees going to affect your design build.
North / south is the most popular block orientation.
Easements / boundary setbacks
Make sure to check with your local council for boundary setbacks.
Check if there are any easements that run through the block.
Does the block have any covenants or driveway crossover limitations?
Closeness to commercial land or apartment areas
Are there industrial sites nearby?
Are there plans to add commercial industry in the local area?
If this the block is next to an apartment block, consider how that will affect your privacy for the new house.
Sea Level Height
If the block is in a flood-prone area, it’s worth checking the height of the block for historical flood activity
Soil Analysis
Knowing the composition of the soil on the block will allow your building designer to determine the best foundation strategy for your new house
Additionally, even though this might be your dream house for now, always remember resale opportunities for the future. Having a home that looks ‘appropriate’ in the area helps, so make sure to drive around the area in which your block is located, so you know your house design will look like it belongs.
If you are considering a new house design, and are not sure about the block choice, make sure to get in touch with us for some experienced and expert advice.
