The issue with costs is a little confusing. However, if a good designer creates a unique design to suit the site it may not be more expensive than the price…

The problem with site costs is that they vary so much from job to job. It isn't a constant. for example, some sites no cut, some little cut , some…

It should be graded away but I think it is virtually always a landscaping issue. If a builder grades the surface the Owner usually then changes the area by landscaping…

In some ways custom builders can be cheaper. This can easily be the case when the custom builder designs and builds the home to suit the site rather than just…

The contour lines should be shown on the site plan and they are important in that sense, of course. You use them to show location, extent, and depth of excavation.…

Interesting. Are you able to build right on your rear boundary?

PVBuild How did you go with the soil test results? Typical?

remember always.
1. Size and complexity of the build. Bigger gets economy of scale but complexity kills that.
2. Site costs vary enormously and are to some degree dependent on chosen design.
3.…

I agree Snowing but it did use "to be true" as they say. Once upon a time when people were not so fussy and accepted something less grand, many people…

Find the right builder for YOU. Not all builders are the same. You need to find a reputable builder who you can work with. Saving money by doing your own…

Rock is as in your case often found not too far below the surface. If one did 100 test holes, an absurd notion, of course, one would have a better…

I agree that there is some value in getting your own plans, your own data, and your own engineering. The only problem is that often, people pay over $10,000 for…

Quite a lot of builders charge a significant amount for site costs (these are not costs but charges) to make up for what is essentially a low base price. Just…

A lot of carpenters use hoop iron to fix the timber upright to the concrete stump. Then you frame out from there. There are more expensive methods but tying on…

In certain circumstances you can build over an easement. It does depend on the reason that the easement exists. It is more of a legal question. Also, excavating into an…

Hi StructuralBIMguy.
thanks for the rant as you put it, but of course you hit the nail on the head. It is harder today and engineering is just a piece of…

When one has 2m of fall the question is:
1. excavate flat and slab.
2. split level of some kind.
3. Build up with a timber floor.
Most builders opt for 1. only -…

I agree with StructuralBIMGuy. That is why now all my houses are engineer designed and I get an engineer to inspect the frame. My total number of independent inspections has…

WB is really just one of the fabrics that one could use without going to brick. I use natural timber Baltic Pine , Murray Pine, that is Australian Native Pine,…

Hi. I just priced a 40 Sq for about $350000. Owner doing a bit himself. He said it was the same price as for the 20 Sq extension quote he…

Interesting. Notice the use of a brick wall enclosure for the subfloor and brick piers in lieu of stumps. this is an expensive way of doing a wb home. But…

They have to retain the soil on their property by correct batter or their own retaining wall. Little understood area of the NCC. Assume you have a drain behind your…

The site costs can add up. I am building a 40 Sq BV on a sloping block with 10 m of fall on the building envelope. The excavation for soil…

Spotted gum - good for decks on sloping sites - is often found not much dearer than merbau and can give the house an exotic feel.

When a sloping site is excavated the soil profile is altered. One can often get a soil test re-done and the site reclassified. The real issue is what is the…

Very interesting to see all the activity going on here in Cloverlea with sloping blocks. One problem with soil tests is that usually they are two hole tests and don't…

It can cost more to build on a sloping site, especially in brick. Sometimes excavating to make a sloping site flat means higher costs, not lower costs.

Site costs for sloping blocks are often not really so high. It is just a matter of pricing policies.

Try my site for ideas but I don' t build in Tasmania. The best bet is a custom designer who works on sloping blocks.

Hi All. anyone having any problems with BMO should know about Kate Cotter. PM me if you dont because she is great value in my eyes. cheers