Steeply sloping ground can add to building costs since usually the area under the house has to be levelled, which could entail bringing in additional ground, or it could mean excavating into the slope to create a level platform. But creating a level area may also require retaining walls to be constructed to hold the banks or sides of excavations up. These walls can be costly and also unsightly. An alternative to reduce the amount of earthmoving is to design the house so that it has steps and that the various rooms are built at differing levels to accommodate and follow the sloping ground. Sometimes semi-basements can be constructed which are built into the slope to minimise the filling. Another solution is to build the house on stilts or columns so that the floor of the house, which is level, overhangs the sloping ground. The columns get longer further down the slope. This can be expensive, especially if the columns and house floor are constructed of concrete. Potential problems for houses on slopesBut a steeply sloping property can create other problems which could include:
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28/10/2022 12:12:49 pm
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It really helped when you said that retaining walls are needed so that the banks or sides of excavation projects can be held up while the construction is ongoing. I can imagine how this kind of addition to the construction of our home is worth it if it means that the property will be protected for the duration of the project. Also, it might also be useful in the long run if we keep the walls, since a sloped piece of land can be prone to erosion when no proper installations are placed.
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AuthorI’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you. Also available from:
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