If our last blog sold you on building a house in Tassie (and we wouldn’t blame you), the next thing to consider is exactly where you build. There are several things to consider when it comes to choosing your block, and some challenges you may face if you're eyeing off either a rural block or a sloping block.
Let's start with rural blocks.
Many Tasmanians (and ‘tree-changers’ coming from the mainland) opt for a rural parcel of land in search of peace and quiet, a big backyard, or maybe even some acreage for a hobby farm or a couple of chooks. While these rural areas sound dreamy, when it comes to building they can sometimes be a bit of a nightmare. So here are a few things to keep in mind before building your dream home on your rural block.
Firstly, think about the basic services you’ll need. Some services, like power, water and sewerage, might not be readily available in rural areas. This could mean that before building can even start, you might need to install a septic system or dig a well, which can add some extra costs you might not have budgeted for, as well as some complexity to the project.
Another thing to consider is bushfire-prone areas. If your block is considered to be in a bushfire-prone area, extra precautions, such as building with fire-resistant materials and additional clearing around your house, will need to be factored in. As part of the planning process, when Platinum Pro survey your block, we'll make sure a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Assessment is done. This will let us know what specific construction standards need to be met for your build.
Quite possibly, one of the reasons you chose your rural block was because you wanted to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. That seclusion, however, can bring challenges when it comes to building. For example, if your block is located at the end of a long, winding dirt road, you might have to factor in extra costs for grading, drainage, or even having to build a new road altogether. (Remember that in Tassie, some roads can get pretty muddy or icy in the winter months, so it's worth considering your commute before you put the sold sticker up on your new block!)
Now, let's chat about sloping blocks.
While they can offer great views and scope for an impressive, architecturally designed home, they can also come with their fair share of challenges. For example, building on a slope usually means dealing with soil erosion, which could become a real headache if you haven't properly planned. Sloping blocks will usually need additional retaining walls built and carefully planned drainage, to ensure the soil doesn't erode any further.
The actual design of your home can also be a challenge when building on a sloping block – while you will obviously want to take advantage of the views the block offers, you won't want to compromise functionality. (No one wants to walk up three flights of stairs to get from the bedroom to the kitchen for a glass of water in the middle of the night!) Although sloping blocks require extra consideration with home design, our team of in-house designers will make sure your home's orientation is suitable, it's functional for your lifestyle, and it will stand the test of time!
So, there you have it – while building in Tassie can come with its fair share of challenges, having the right building team to walk you through it will make it all worthwhile! We will plan accordingly and make sure you're aware of any additional costs, challenges, or requirements. Whether you're tackling a rural or sloping block, know that with Platinum Pro your dream home is still within reach.
Pre-designed, but uniquely yours.
At Platinum Pro, all of our pre-designed plans are customisable to suit the needs of your block. Our in-house design team will carefully survey your block and ensure you're aware of any challenges you'll face in the build, before the building starts - meaning no surprise costs throughout the project!
Thinking of building your dream home on your dream block? It starts with us.
