How to Build on the Hill … Without Blowing-out

Building on a slope is more complex than building on the flat… but if you play your cards right, it comes with great rewards. There’s something to be said for being up and out of the fog and frost, with great views! Here’s our advice on how to go about a hill build, without losing your hair and your hard-earned cash ...

‘Builders eye’ before you buy

Always have an experienced hill builder review your site before purchasing. They will be able to help make a judgement call on whether it’s feasible in relation to your budget and ideas. There are a few things they should be assessing; the site’s position in relation to the sun, whether there is enough shelter, the level of accessibility, the ground conditions (depth of soil and rock) and what kind of foundation is likely to be required. 

Work with the site, not against it. 

If your home is designed to follow the natural contours of the land, you can reduce the amount of excavation and retaining works needed, creating huge cost savings. Additionally, there’s less impact on the environment and your home will feel like it ‘belongs’ on the site. In order to work with the site effectively, and to avoid unforeseen costs, you need to be willing to invest in good design… this is a job for a registered architect, not a draughtsperson whose focus is designing houses in volume on the flat. 

Open-plan vs broken-plan 

Open-plan living has long been the ‘done thing’, and while it looks good on paper, a split-level or broken-plan design often offers greater flexibility. Embrace the fact that building on the slope lends itself to designs with different levels, with separate yet connected zones like sunken lounges, or mezzanine studies. The benefit is you can retain the open feel, while still providing pockets of privacy, coziness and quiet - better serving the wide-ranging needs of the modern family.

Go with experience

Hill builds require greater compliance and geotechnical advice, more intensive foundation work, and a higher level of design (and design understanding) than flat builds. You want to undertake your project on the hill with a prepared and experienced team whose day-in-day-out business is building on the slopes. This probably goes without saying, but when finding your best fit with a builder, it’s best if whoever you talk to has a hand-on role in the process - a salesperson isn’t likely to be your best ally!

If you would like to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by a site you own or have your eye on OR if you are on the hunt for a section, and want to join our shortlist to stay informed about sites becoming available, drop us a line in the form below. Love to hear from you soon.

A recently completed Hill Build in Redcliffs - winner of a Master Builders Home of The Year Gold Award

‘Broken-plan living’ - an elevated media room that connects to the living and kitchen space below