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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

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Budget kitchen makeover: 9 ways you can improve your kitchen without breaking the bank

Budget kitchen makeover: 9 ways you can improve your kitchen without breaking the bank

Three ways to keep your bathroom renovation costs down

Three ways to keep your bathroom renovation costs down

How to future proof your reno

How to future proof your reno

7 quick and easy ways to soundproof your home

7 quick and easy ways to soundproof your home

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{headline}

5 ways to keep your renovation budget on track

5 ways to keep your renovation budget on track

Selling your home? What to renovate, fix or just makeover for the highest return on investment

Selling your home? What to renovate, fix or just makeover for the highest return on investment

5 design accents that are crucial for coastal-style

5 design accents that are crucial for coastal-style

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{headline}

Style Rules Episode 3: Faking it in the bedroom

Style Rules Episode 3: Faking it in the bedroom

Bricks are back: The latest interiors trend revealed

Bricks are back: The latest interiors trend revealed

Small space laundry renovations: how to fit a laundry into any space in your home

Small space laundry renovations: how to fit a laundry into any space in your home

Why a real life reno is nothing like The Block

Why a real life reno is nothing like The Block

This dated 80's kitchen is given a glam makeover

This dated 80's kitchen is given a glam makeover

5 key rules for decorating a heritage property

5 key rules for decorating a heritage property

7 things you didn't know about Cherie Barber

7 things you didn't know about Cherie Barber

  1. Home
  2. H2HB

Finding the right block of land

Knock down and rebuild or build on vacant land? Here's the lowdown on location - by Home Beautiful
  • 01 Aug 2017
Finding the right block of land
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Warning! There is no way to write this web story without succumbing to property clichés. But yes, the three rules in real estate – location, location, location – really do ring true. Proximity is priceless. Space is key, and you really can’t beat a million-dollar view.

How do you get this one crucial decision right? We ask builder Frank Tarulli of Thomas Archer Homes for the inside word on finding the perfect block of land to build on.

Vacant land vs knockdown/rebuild – what do you need to know?

The first thing you need to do is to review the paperwork. In Victoria, the Section 32 Vendor’s Statement will help you ascertain which services are available to the property. In the rest of the country, you will need an inspection report carried out by a licensed builder, surveyor or architect to decipher which connections will need to be hooked up. Knock down/rebuilds tend to already have basic services but you will need to factor in the cost of demolition as well as clearing any trees. Expect to pay anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000.

What needs to be considered when a dream site isn’t level?

There are generally two options for a sloping site. The first is to work with the fall of the block, designing a home with split levels or tiered floor heights. The alternative is what we call a 'balance cut and fill', where soil is shifted from one section of the block to build up another, achieving a flat level. Both options add to the bottom line so you need to consider if that particular block worth the extra time and money?

What the ideal size?

There is no one ideal block size. It really depends on the needs of the person or family who will live there.

And orientation?

A northern aspect will maximise the amount of natural light. If you have purchased a block with a less than ideal aspect, it will be about looking at clever ways to design the home to prioritise the available light at various times of the day. 

Any red flags to watch out for?

A big red flag is overhead power lines. Building close to power lines means cutting the power to the whole street as scaffolding goes up. Protective barriers will also need to be in place whilst building works are underway.

The other one to watch out for is a flood overlay. Areas that are prone to flooding are subject to strict building requirements that dictate the finished floor level of your house. This will add to the cost and may restrict your design.

Top tip? Chat to your builder about any design restrictions in relation to a particular block before purchasing, so you know what’s achievable before you buy. Also, sort out your financing ahead of the game with an online mortgage calculator Like Qudos Bank's.

Views to thrill

A view to thrill

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H2HB
Introducing House To Home Beautiful

Introducing House To Home Beautiful

Behind the scenes: Meet the dream team behind House to Home Beautiful!

Behind the scenes: Meet the dream team behind House to Home Beautiful!

Episode 1: Video Diary

Episode 1: Video Diary

H2HB

- by Home Beautiful
Introducing House To Home Beautiful Renovate

Introducing House To Home Beautiful

Behind the scenes: Meet the dream team behind House to Home Beautiful! Renovate

Behind the scenes: Meet the dream team behind House to Home Beautiful!

Episode 1: Video Diary Renovate

Episode 1: Video Diary

Episode 2: Designing Your Home Renovate

Episode 2: Designing Your Home

Episode 3: Questions To Ask Your Builder Renovate

Episode 3: Questions To Ask Your Builder

Episode 4: Design Inspiration Renovate

Episode 4: Design Inspiration

Episode 5: Mood Board Renovate

Episode 5: Mood Board

Episode 6: Frank's Top Budget Tips Renovate

Episode 6: Frank's Top Budget Tips

Episode 7: Floor Plan Renovate

Episode 7: Floor Plan

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