Building houses on sloping ground

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.
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Sometimes semi-basements can be constructed which are built into the slope to minimise the filling.

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.

​​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.

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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. 
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