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Building houses on sloping ground

7/1/2021

2 Comments

 
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Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay
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.
Picture
Picture
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
​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 slopes

​But a steeply sloping property can create other problems which could include:
  • Vehicle access to street level is difficult, and in particular vehicles with a low ground clearance could become stuck, or scrape on the driveway where it meets the road.
  • Construction vehicles may have difficulty accessing the property, making construction more expensive if materials have to be moved from the road by hand to where they’re needed.
  • Connections to the main sewer lines will be impossible if the existing town pipes are at a higher level than the lowest exit point from the planned house.
  • Houses built below road level could be subject to flooding from stormwater from the road, or even from higher neighbouring properties.
  • Maintaining a garden on a steeply sloping property is often more difficult than level properties.
  • Many people don’t like purchasing steeply sloping properties, or houses with lots of steps, particularly if they are elderly or have mobility problems.
An advantage of building on steeply sloping ground is that if there’s a view there’s a possibility that the house in front of you will be lower and won’t obscure your view.
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​​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 Finding your Ideal Property and Designing your Dream Home.
​
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

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Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
2 Comments
Best Concrete Contractors In Columbus link
28/10/2022 12:12:49 pm

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Reply
Mia Evans link
28/1/2023 04:37:05 pm

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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    I’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.
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  • Construction Home
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  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
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    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
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