When it comes to building, George Henry Homes has you covered. But choosing the right block of land to build your custom dream home on in the right location isn’t an easy decision, there are many things to consider.
The most important consideration is LOCATION.
Where do you want your house to be? Do you want to be able to walk to the beach or walk to get that morning coffee?
When searching for a block keep in mind if it’s close to shops, parks, beaches, schools, public transport, work etc. It’s best to have your block near all the amenities you’ll need! Also check what’s in development, there may not be any of these amenities now however it could be something that’s planned for the future.
Choosing the right location in the best suburb will enhance your home’s value and future potential capital growth of the property.
Beyond location, there are many other features you need to consider, keep on reading for more.
Size
Do you have a particular house style or design in mind? Are you wanting something big for a growing family or are you down-sizing? How big do you want the back yard to be, do you want a swimming pool? Will you be building single or double storey? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself when considering the size of the block you need.
The size and shape of your block will determine what sort of house you can build.
Orientation
One of the most important aspects according to architects is the orientation of the build.
The design of your home can be greatly affected by the orientation of the block. In particular it can impact the position of the windows, as natural heat from the sun could warm up the house, however in summer it may overheat (all depending on your glazing selections). Where the windows are located will have a significant impact on your electricity bill.
At George Henry Homes we always used commercial grade double glazed windows and doors when building our clients custom homes, these are an ideal energy efficient choice and will help reduce those bills aswel as many other benefits.
Ideally, it is better to have north-facing build with the longer part in an east-west direction, this will allow the sun to passively warm up your home but also help to keep electricity bills at a low cost.
If the block has views then orientation may not be a factor, while the design of your house should be focused on these elements these should not be overlooked.
Slope
Sloping blocks can be difficult to resist, many people dream of those stunning views and interesting house designs. A sloping block requires more preparation in which the builder will more than likely have to create space for the slab and retaining walls to ensure the soil is stable. This can have a significantly higher cost then a flat block.
Another thing to keep in mind with sloping land is that it can increase your bushfire attack level rating causing restrictions on the build and more expensive materials will usually be required.
If it’s your dream we always recommend that you speak to your preferred custom home builder before agreeing to purchase a sloping block of land.
Soil
Soil conditions can vary from site to site, if the soil is classified to be reactive it is likely to increase the cost of footings and foundations. Before settling on your land, we recommend that you get the soil tested to make sure there aren’t any nasty surprises when you start the building process.
Restrictions
Councils can have different guides lines for different suburbs and estates. Depending on the council there may be rules about what style house you build or what colours and materials can be used. It is important that you find out exactly what the restrictions and regulations are for that particular location, we suggest contacting the real estate agent or the council to find out more.What Next?
George Henry Homes is more then happy to give you advice and help you find the perfect block of land that ticks all the boxes for your dream custom home.
For further assistance call George on 0488 019 147 or contact us here.