With that gorgeous view comes the added cost, so plan for it. A small little stream during the summer months could turn into a raging river during winter.įrom difficult access with heavy equipment to added retaining walls, building on sloped land is definitely going to be more expensive. Another tip would be to view the property during the wettest season. Seeking the advice from a civil engineer familiar with the area is advised.

All of these can be avoided with the proper grading and drainage techniques. These could range from flooded basements or failed septic systems to washed out roads. Surface water from a heavy rain or snow can wreak havoc on your project. While water can be an added benefit to your landscape plans, it can also be very difficult to predict. These steep buildings sites have complexly-engineered foundations installed by specialists in hillside work, which can be dangerous and are always very expensive. The type of soil can also add to your excavation cost if it is difficult to dig and remove. Verify the type of soil on the site some soils are more prone to slides than others. With a steep slope comes the risk of land slides. Such slopes would require extensive earth moving along with stabilization. Most builders would consider anything over 20% to be a steep slope. Building on sloped land between 10%-20% would most likely require a deeper dig out or added fill, along with added foundation costs. These would be typical slopes for a builder and shouldn’t require any additional costs as they are relatively easy to build on. What is a moderate slope? A slope of 0%-10% would be considered by most to be a moderate slope (one foot rise across 10 feet). Things to consider while building on sloped land: Moderate Slope It may be breathtaking to the owner, but it could be trouble to your builder. Depending on your plans, the hillside might be ideal for your daylight basement or terraced landscaping. Often times capturing these spectacular views means building on sloped land. Every homeowner’s dream is taking advantage of that gorgeous mountain view or the sights of a sparkling city skyline.

Cost is steep download