Want to build your dream home? While it’s important to think about the paint colours, finishes, flooring options, appliances and floor plan for your new house, you need to choose a block of land first before you even start building. The land you choose will determine what type of house you can build and the right land can save you thousands of dollars in construction and maintenance costs along the way.
So, what should you look out for when searching for land to build on? To help you choose the right block of land, here are eight things to consider.
1. Look into nearby amenities
Are there any amenities nearby? If so, it’ll make your life more convenient, as well as potentially increase your home’s value in the future. Depending on your lifestyle, work commitments, and your family’s current and future needs, your chosen land may have to be close to:
- Public transport
- Your work
- Good roads
- Petrol stations
- Schools and childcare centres
- Shops and restaurants
- Healthcare facilities
- Recreational facilities
2. Check access to utility services
Another thing you should consider is whether the block of land comes fully serviced. This includes water, gas, electrical and sewer connection points, telephone lines, and broadband internet. You should also check the type of water and sewer services the block receives and if the location of the sewer line will affect where you can build on the block and whether or not you can install a pool.
3. Consider the orientation
The direction the block of land faces will affect the amount of sunlight certain areas of your house will get and how much energy you use. For example, if the block’s rear faces north where the bedrooms and living areas are located, they’ll get the right amount of sunlight and reduce your energy usage and costs. Bedrooms and living areas facing south or west will be too cold in winter or too hot in summer respectively.
4. Consider the size
Want a small house with a little garden and low-maintenance outdoor areas or a big house with a large outdoor entertaining area and swimming pool? Your choice will determine the size of the land you pick and where to build your home. For example, you might want a narrow lot with a frontage of less than 12 metres in an urban area, a traditional size block with a frontage of around 15 metres in a suburban area, or an acreage block with a frontage of more than 18 metres in a rural area.
5. Consider the shape
Most house designs will fit on a rectangular-shaped block and it’s easier to build a new home on it too. This shape often has a frontage of 12-15 metres and a depth of around 27-30 metres. You can also fit most house designs on an L-shaped (aka battle axe) block that’s situated behind another block of land, with access to the street via a narrow driveway that runs along the side of the front block. On the other hand, a fan-shaped block is ideal if you want a small front yard and a big backyard for a pool and outdoor entertaining. This shape also works well with an irregular house design and is usually found at the end of a cul-de-sac. Overall, you can choose a block to suit your house design or vice versa.
6. Consider the slope
If the block of land is on a steep slope, you can get it cut and filled or take the slope into account when designing and building your home, but they’ll cost more than building on flat land. Fire also moves faster up a sloping land in a bushfire prone area, which will affect the kind of house you build. Moreover, consider a north-facing slope so your living areas get enough sunlight.
7. Investigate the street
Consider what the street is like: Is the road narrow or wide? Is there car parking for visitors? Is it a busy street? Are there landscaping verges? And what’s the general street appeal? You should also check if there are items that could affect your block, solar access, or where you’d want to build your house on the land, such as trees, power poles, fire hydrants, footpaths, and access ramps.
8. Check restrictions
Different councils have different rules when it comes to the style of house you can build, the colours and materials you can use, the type of fence you can have, where you can position your house on the block, and so on. Make sure to call the council for info on local restrictions, the zoning of the block, and overlays (conservation, acoustic, fire and flood hazards) that could limit what and how you can build.
Ready to search for land?
There are lots of things to take into account when choosing a block of land to build your dream home on – from nearby amenities and land orientation to the street profile and local restrictions. Whether you’re choosing a block in a new housing estate or one in an older area, considering all of these will help you pick a good piece of land and hopefully one that you’ll live on for many years to come. Now, it’s time to start hunting for land! And once you’ve found the perfect block of land, you can finally start building the home of your dreams.
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