Choosing A Block
There are lots of things to consider when choosing a block.
My basic preference would be an East facing block on a court.
This gives the best orientation of the house and minimises passing traffic.
Here are some of the things, besides price, that I think about when I look at a block:
- Will it fit the house I want to build? Remember that there will most likely be a 5m setback at the front and you will probably need at least 2m from the back fence to avoid building on the drains and sewers.
- Does it have room for a caravan, or a boat.
- Which way does it face?
- Will there be enough room for a garden at the side? I don’t want the side windows on the sunny side looking out onto a fence 1m away!
- Will it be overlooked or shaded by a 2 storey house next door?
- Does it have a view?. . . . if it has is there a danger that the view will be blocked in the future?
- Will it be noisy due to a busy road or railway?
- Will children be able to play safely outside?
- It convenient for shops, schools and public transport?
- Is it above the level of the road (preferred) or below it?
- Will it need additional excavation to get a flat site for the house?
- Is there any danger of flooding? (I used to work in drainage so have seen a lot of houses flooded and am very careful about this).
- Are the adjoining houses going to be Owner Occupier or Rented Out?
In order to make a choice within a reasonable time scale most people will have to compromise.
For example our last new house is West facing at the end of a court, it has a good view westwards, but gets lots of passing foot traffic. It’s a very wide block, 25m+, but below the street level at the front.
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