Hello everyone,
Our plot is located between a street at the front and a private driveway at the rear. The private driveway cannot be used for access or the driveway entrance. Access can only be made from the street.
Now the question is at what height we should position the house. Should we align it with the street level or with the private driveway?
If we align with the private driveway, we would need to add 80-100cm (31-39 inches) of fill, and the entrance to the house would likely require several steps. Also, the driveway to the parking area would probably be quite steep.
If we align with the street, the rear part of the plot would remain slightly below the level of the private driveway.
The street slopes upwards to the west. The neighbor to the west has adapted his house to the houses in the second row and his house is positioned quite high. His driveway is also very steep.
The neighbor to the north has leveled his plot completely and placed his house level with the street.
Our plot is in the middle. What would be the most sensible approach?
I have attached the elevation plan, hopefully it is clear.
Edit: The building project would be a single-family house without a basement!
Our plot is located between a street at the front and a private driveway at the rear. The private driveway cannot be used for access or the driveway entrance. Access can only be made from the street.
Now the question is at what height we should position the house. Should we align it with the street level or with the private driveway?
If we align with the private driveway, we would need to add 80-100cm (31-39 inches) of fill, and the entrance to the house would likely require several steps. Also, the driveway to the parking area would probably be quite steep.
If we align with the street, the rear part of the plot would remain slightly below the level of the private driveway.
The street slopes upwards to the west. The neighbor to the west has adapted his house to the houses in the second row and his house is positioned quite high. His driveway is also very steep.
The neighbor to the north has leveled his plot completely and placed his house level with the street.
Our plot is in the middle. What would be the most sensible approach?
I have attached the elevation plan, hopefully it is clear.
Edit: The building project would be a single-family house without a basement!
Is it actually possible to estimate in advance how much the earthworks will approximately cost? From what I have often read in the forum, this is the cost factor that usually causes the most variability.
We recently visited a new housing development to see a show home from a general contractor. While there, we met several other families building houses, and one was working with an architect. He recommended his architect to us as well. I called directly, and they told me to send the documents in advance by email. I did as requested but received no response. After three weeks, I called to follow up and was told they were currently so busy that I would have to wait several months. To me, it sounded more like an excuse...
hampshire schrieb:
You can generate some interest by sending a few emails to architects in the area:
We recently visited a new housing development to see a show home from a general contractor. While there, we met several other families building houses, and one was working with an architect. He recommended his architect to us as well. I called directly, and they told me to send the documents in advance by email. I did as requested but received no response. After three weeks, I called to follow up and was told they were currently so busy that I would have to wait several months. To me, it sounded more like an excuse...
H
hampshire29 Jun 2020 20:24Yaso2.0 schrieb:
I was told that it’s currently so busy that I would have to wait several months. To me, it sounded more like an excuse...Keep your head up, these “setbacks” at the beginning are frustrating but can also have a positive side – you don’t need anyone who isn’t passionate about your project.Hello again!
Since I have still not been able to find an available architect for the time being, I contacted a general contractor. I provided them with all the plans in advance.
Yesterday, the project manager from the general contractor visited to see the site in person.
His recommendation: to position the house level with the private road, so that the driveway is not too steep, with the main entrance facing east. This way, stairs can lead from the driveway up to the level of the plot, and the entrance itself would then require no additional steps. Alternatively, there could be stairs leading up from the driveway to the plot, and then a path to the entrance if it is to be located on the north side.
He also advised me to prefer the planned height of 23.27 meters (76.3 feet) as a "fully finished level," including lawn and landscaping. Otherwise, we would need to reinforce the entire plot again with retaining walls, as the supports of the neighboring buildings at the rear would "collapse" if we excavate the soil.
He also reviewed the soil report and said the clay must be removed.
This will completely wreck my entire budget...
Since I have still not been able to find an available architect for the time being, I contacted a general contractor. I provided them with all the plans in advance.
Yesterday, the project manager from the general contractor visited to see the site in person.
His recommendation: to position the house level with the private road, so that the driveway is not too steep, with the main entrance facing east. This way, stairs can lead from the driveway up to the level of the plot, and the entrance itself would then require no additional steps. Alternatively, there could be stairs leading up from the driveway to the plot, and then a path to the entrance if it is to be located on the north side.
He also advised me to prefer the planned height of 23.27 meters (76.3 feet) as a "fully finished level," including lawn and landscaping. Otherwise, we would need to reinforce the entire plot again with retaining walls, as the supports of the neighboring buildings at the rear would "collapse" if we excavate the soil.
He also reviewed the soil report and said the clay must be removed.
This will completely wreck my entire budget...
Escroda schrieb:
Top edge of finished floor = 22.50
P.S.: Top edge of finished floor = top edge of the completed floor on the ground floorThe general contractor just called me and informed me that our driveway needs to be widened from 3.50 m (11.5 ft) to 5 m (16.4 ft) due to height differences, because the sides must be supported by L-shaped retaining walls.
As a result, we lose 1.5 m (4.9 ft) on the south/west side. With our relatively small lot, 1.5 m (4.9 ft) is quite significant for us.
So my question is, does this make sense, or do you see an alternative?
Also, I have a question to clarify: if I set the house floor level (top edge of finished floor) at 22.50, will I then have level access to the terrace since the points there are set higher? Would I need to remove soil, even if only by a few centimeters, or how is a level entry achieved?
What is the current status?
Are you still in the planning phase?
Why can’t the car be parked on the street? Is that a garage?
Why is the house set back 0.65 m (0.65 yards) from the street? Is it because of the wall heights?
Why 3.5 m (3.8 yards) instead of 3 m (3.3 yards) from the property line?
Is there a plan from the building permit / planning permission?
Are you still in the planning phase?
Why can’t the car be parked on the street? Is that a garage?
Why is the house set back 0.65 m (0.65 yards) from the street? Is it because of the wall heights?
Why 3.5 m (3.8 yards) instead of 3 m (3.3 yards) from the property line?
Is there a plan from the building permit / planning permission?
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