It’s really frustrating! We know we’re building a house and the financing is secured. Some details, like partial flooring, are already decided, but we can’t choose a house type. We have a sloping site. The slope drops 1.6m (5 feet) over 10m (33 feet) toward the southeast, with the driveway at the lower end. Our first idea was a bungalow of 130m2 (1,400 sq ft), with a basement. The basement would include a double garage, entrance, office, storage, and the rest of the living space would be upstairs. Upstairs, you can step straight out into the garden. But of course, that is quite expensive.
The other option would be to cut quite a lot of soil out of the slope at the back and fill in at the front to build a house without a basement. That would be much cheaper, but I’m hesitant about the large earthworks involved—I can’t really imagine how it would look afterward. Storage rooms would then be outside the house, in an existing outbuilding next to it.
There are so many arguments for and against each option, and we’re finding it really hard to decide! How was it for you?
The other option would be to cut quite a lot of soil out of the slope at the back and fill in at the front to build a house without a basement. That would be much cheaper, but I’m hesitant about the large earthworks involved—I can’t really imagine how it would look afterward. Storage rooms would then be outside the house, in an existing outbuilding next to it.
There are so many arguments for and against each option, and we’re finding it really hard to decide! How was it for you?
What exactly should one write in response to your question? It is completely unclear what you mean, what your plot looks like, and so on. I just can’t imagine it. But no matter what solution you choose, building on a slope is always expensive.
What do you mean by you are building a house, or that the financing is secured? Have you already signed contracts before the project costs are known?
What do you mean by you are building a house, or that the financing is secured? Have you already signed contracts before the project costs are known?
What kind of responses am I expecting? Personal experiences—how have other people approached this decision.
I have already described my plot: southeast-facing slope, 1.6m (5.25 ft) drop over 10m (33 ft), driveway access from below. Plenty of space on each side because it’s part of a small farm.
Financing is secured (obviously not unlimited), as we have a solid equity buffer. This means we are not aiming for the cheapest option, but the best.
I have already described my plot: southeast-facing slope, 1.6m (5.25 ft) drop over 10m (33 ft), driveway access from below. Plenty of space on each side because it’s part of a small farm.
Financing is secured (obviously not unlimited), as we have a solid equity buffer. This means we are not aiming for the cheapest option, but the best.
rama schrieb:
I can’t really picture how it’s supposed to look in the end. I can’t either. But I don’t know your plot of land.
That’s a decision you really have to make on your own.
What I find quite strange is that you already know which tiles you’ll use, but have no idea yet what kind of house you are building.
P
perlenmann23 Apr 2012 15:28You’re basically giving yourself the answers:
One option is expensive, but you get more for it (or it even includes a basement).
The other is smaller and cheaper.
As for the design: less at the front, more at the back, or the other way around?! We don’t know your plot of land, but an architect could definitely help you there!
How is it for me? My house is flat-roofed, and I’m happy about that because it’s more affordable 😉
One option is expensive, but you get more for it (or it even includes a basement).
The other is smaller and cheaper.
As for the design: less at the front, more at the back, or the other way around?! We don’t know your plot of land, but an architect could definitely help you there!
How is it for me? My house is flat-roofed, and I’m happy about that because it’s more affordable 😉
Even though building on a slope is more expensive, I would choose to have a basement. Personally, and also advising you, I feel that only the cost factor speaks against the bungalow in your case. And if, after a thorough financing discussion, you are still confident that you won’t be risking financial trouble, then go with what your heart prefers!
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