What to Know When Building on a Sloped Lot
Building a new home on a sloped lot will offer spectacular views of the Pacific Northwest scenery. But constructing a home on sloped land has special considerations. Here we explain what you need to know before purchasing this type of property.
Views, Landscaping & Decks
Some of the biggest advantages to building a home on a sloped lot are the breathtaking views, decking, and unique landscaping opportunities. If there’s a particular view you want to capture from inside or outside of your home, a sloped lot is the best way to achieve this. These lots allow for elevated decks which create additional outdoor living space. Retaining walls may be required to hold back the land and prevent erosion, but besides functionality, these walls bring dimension to your landscaping. Tiered landscaping creates visually appealing grounds, resulting in stunning curb appeal.
Foundation
To properly build a home on a sloped lot, you may need steps in the foundation. This type of foundation is more time-consuming and will cost more in labor and concrete because the footer is poured at different levels in what looks like steps.
Special Machinery
Depending on the grade of your slope, you may need special machinery as steep land can create challenges for excavation work. Tight spaces or hazardous terrain require smaller specialized equipment. With Central Oregon’s rocky terrain, rock hammering may be required. This needs to be performed by an experienced licensed and insured subcontractor to comply with local regulations.
Build Time
As a more labor intense project, you can expect a longer build time. Depending on the scope the project, you could see a month or more added to the construction timeline. Here at Tailored by Woodhill Homes, we’re a builder experienced in building on sloped land in Oregon. Let us make building your new home on a sloped lot less complex. Contact our experts to schedule your site evaluation.