Homes built on hillsides can be beautiful and unique, but they can also present some challenges. These three tips can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls of hillside construction.
Consider How You’ll Get Up and Down the Hill
Most of the construction challenges you’ll face when building hillside property will go away once the construction is complete, however, the need to get up and down the hill will persist for as long as you own the property. The most common method of navigating a hillside is to add stairs. However, this solution may not be ideal for people who have difficulty climbing stairs due to physical limitations. If stairs are a problem for you or someone in your household, you may want to consider alternatives such as ramps or a residential tram. Residential tram cost can vary greatly depending on the layout of your property. You may be able to save some money by ordering a do-it-yourself kit.
Work With the Landscape
Most hillside builds will require some amount of alteration to the landscape, but you can probably save yourself money and headaches by making your design fits the landscape, instead of the other way around. Factors to consider include the slope of the hill and rocky terrain that may be costly to excavate.
Hire a Builder With Hillside Construction Experience
An experienced builder should be able to help you choose a design that best works with the unique features of your property. Consider asking any potential builders for examples of work they have done on similar terrain to your site. You may want to give preference to builders with experience customizing designs because cookie-cutter designs rarely work well with hillside builds.
Incorporating these tips into your construction plan can help you avoid the common mistakes people make with hillside projects. With some careful planning and the right builder, you can turn the challenges of a hillside construction project into opportunities for a uniquely beautiful design.