In a series of articles, the team at Grand Pacific Homes will discuss pitfalls to avoid when building new or renovating an existing home.

Understand Site Constraints

We regularly counsel clients who have complications due to the location of their site. Be aware of costly design challenges that are common in the Illawarra:

Bushfire – BAL rating measures the potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and flame contact. The higher the BAL, the more bushfire protection upgrades will be required – from inexpensive gutter guards to the costly installation of fire shutters.

Flood – Sites near a creek are affected by floods. Get flood level advice from Council to determine risk. Depending on the degree of potential flooding, a property may need to be built up out of the ground or have a reinforced foundation to withstand the speed of water flow and the impact of debris.

Sloping Blocks – These require a cut-and-fill process, where the excavated material is used to level the site. Having a custom design that works with the fall of the land saves money in excavation and retaining walls. A split-level design suits this type of site best.

Need advice? The team at Grand Pacific Homes can help.  

Get in touch: (02) 4227 6405 or info@grandpacifichomes.com.au