Sloping Block Builders Melbourne

Build Your Dream Home or Extension on a Sloping Block

Building on a sloping block presents an exciting opportunity to create a home that harmonises with its natural landscape. A custom design that incorporates the slope of your land will not only optimise the space but enhance the aesthetics, providing a connection to nature that flat land just can’t offer.

Struggling with ideas on how to make the most out of your sloping block? Let us design and build an extension or custom new home that suits your land, lifestyle and budget.

Our Previous Sloping Block Extension and New Home Projects

Sherbrooke Design and Construction is your sloping block and split level home design and building specialist.

Designing and building your dream home or extension on a sloping block is more challenging compared to your traditional build or extension project, but it’s well worth it. From great views to maximising the value of your home, a sloping block can provide opportunities that just cannot be found on a level site. While sloping blocks bring their own unique challenges, they also offer unrivalled potential for unique designs that embrace the natural gradient of the land.

By engaging a custom builder from the start, you gain access to design solutions that enhance your property’s natural contours, offering a more harmonious and efficient layout. Whether you’re looking for extra living space, a basement, or multiple outdoor terraces, we can bring your vision to life.

Types of Sloping Blocks

In contrast to a regular parcel of land, a sloping block isn’t flat. Your block may slope up from the road or it may slope down. Some blocks may have cross fall from one side of the block to the other, or your land may be a combination of the above.

Understanding the specific characteristics of your sloping block is crucial in designing a space that works for you.

Designing a Split Level Home or Extension

A split-level design is best suited for sloping blocks and it allows you to consider blocks of land (with or without existing homes) that might not be completely flat. Working with and following the natural slope of the land, a custom designed extension or new home minimises the extent of excavation and maximises the footprint of your home, while utilising your block in the best possible way.

A split-level home can create a seamless flow between the interior and exterior, with multiple levels connecting indoor spaces to outdoor terraces, gardens, and pools. This design is ideal for sloping blocks, as it accommodates the slope while giving you more usable space.

When designing an extension or new home for your sloping block, our team of expert architects and designers take into account:

The grade of the slope and the possibilities it may offer such as layered gardens, additional car parking, multiple outdoor entertaining spaces or a swimming pool
Suitable door and window placement, so your home catches the winter sunlight and a cooling breeze during the heat of summer
Utilising your sloping block for enhanced privacy, with strategic placement of windows and outdoor spaces that provide both intimacy and panoramic views
How to make the most of natural light in the home by using windows and skylights
Drainage and ways to direct water such as rainwater tanks or stormwater pits
Your best options for enhancing the views from your block
How to maintain privacy for yourself and your neighbours
Your lifestyle and budget

Benefits of a Custom Split Level Design

Many find the challenge of building or extending on a sloping block daunting. However, you’ll find plenty of advantages and incentives to build your new home or extension on a sloping block.

A custom designed extension or new home provides you with a unique floorplan designed to reflect your lifestyle and block of land
The ability to enjoy breath-taking views or landscapes surrounding you
Maximising the natural contours of your block allows for the creation of multiple outdoor zones, such as terraced gardens, outdoor living spaces, and entertaining areas, providing a seamless connection between home and nature
You can capture natural light and make efficient use of the sun, keeping the home airy and bright
Sloping blocks are typically less expensive to purchase, allowing you to spend more on extending or building your dream home
Sloped blocks provide a higher return on investment when it’s time to sell your house as the views, natural light, and elevation all appeal to buyers

By working with Sherbrooke Design and Construction, you can create a home that is fully aligned with your unique needs. Whether you’re looking to integrate eco-friendly solutions such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting, or luxury features like heated floors and expansive living spaces, we’ll help you create the perfect home.

Working with Sherbrooke Design and Construction gives you:

Tailored Designs to suit your needs
Access to Industry Professionals, well known brands and reputable suppliers
Fixed Price Contracts giving you confidence and peace of mind
24/7 Online Communications Portal to track your project
Professional Support and Assistance from our Contract Administrators and Project Managers
Dedicated Program Management so your new home or extension is delivered on time
After Build Support through our Warranty Inspection Service
Membership Rewards through our Sherbrooke for Life Membership Program

By choosing Sherbrooke Design and Construction, you don’t have to compromise. If you’re struggling with ideas on how to make the most of your sloping block while staying true to your wants and needs, contact us to explore how we can help design and build your extension or new home.

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WORKING WITH SHERBROOKE GIVES YOU

TAILORED DESIGNS

We work with you step by step to custom design a unique and functional home to suit your needs and lifestyle.

PEACE OF MIND

You have peace of mind knowing that Sherbrooke Design and Construction is a registered building practitioner.

24/7 ONLINE PORTAL

Our Project Management Portal provides you with 24/7 access to your project information via your devices.

AFTER BUILD SUPPORT

We guarantee we will return long after your project is complete with 6-week, 3-month & 12-month warranty reviews.

Back view of house with tennis court and swimming pool

Our Sloping Block Extension and
New Home Design and Building Process

We’ll look after you every step of the way by providing a complete architectural design and construction service for your new home or extension on your sloping block. Here’s a brief overview of the easy step-by-step design process we’ll enjoy together in realising your vision.

Meet

You will meet with one of our Design Team to discuss your extension, renovation or new home on your sloping block. They will listen to your needs and requirements and ask relevant questions to develop a proposed scope of works. They will also discuss your budget range so that we can develop a design in line with your budget.

Concept Design

After our meeting, our Design Team will then prepare a draft Concept Design based on our discussions with you. When the draft Concept Design is ready, you’ll meet with your designer once again to review and confirm that the home design is what you’re looking for and we have interpreted your ideas correctly. If required, any changes can be made to accommodate your needs.

Budget Estimate

Once you have approved the design, our Design Team will prepare a Budget Estimate and preliminary specifications while using our industry knowledge to help you stay within your chosen budget. We review these with you so you can see what is included in the estimate for your new home or extension and make final adjustments if necessary. We guarantee our budget estimates to be within 5% of a fixed price* quote/contract based on the information we have from our initial meetings with you.

Preliminary Building Agreement

When you are completely comfortable with the information provided, we can then begin to discuss the next step which is the preparation of your documents. These will be presented to you in the form of a Preliminary Building Agreement which includes Structural Drawings, Town Planning (if required), Soil Reports and final contract specifications.

Contract

Once you’re happy with all your relevant documentation, you will receive a Fixed Price Building Contract along with a comprehensive specification list for your custom new home, renovation or extension. These documents detail your fixed completion date, homeowners’ warranty guarantee, insurances, permits and exactly what your final price includes giving you confidence and peace of mind.

Construction

Our Construction Manager will ensure your project is built in line with the plans and specifications and your Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of trades and materials. Your Contracts Administrator will guide you through the selections process and help you with all the administrative detail through Buildertrend. You have access to our Interior Design Consultant to assist with colour selections, and access to well-known industry professional brands and reputable suppliers.

After Build Support

We guarantee we will return long after your project is complete. On top of the regulation 3-month warranty review, we provide you with a complimentary 6-week and 12-month warranty review. Your Online Client Portal remains active so you can simply log in and place any warranty or maintenance requests which are sent through to our dedicated Maintenance and Warranty Team.

what our clients love aboUT sherbrooke

Sherbrooke Design and Construction gutted our old house and turned it into a modern luxury home. The very experienced team has done a fantastic job from design, renovation to handover and beyond. They took away the construction stress and delivered the highest quality end results. Not only that, they look after you like family even after the completion of your project.

Hui CToorak

We engaged Sherbrooke’s design team in 2022 and we had a specific brief in mind. From the very beginning their professionalism, care and listening to our brief was second to none. The team from the top down, are highly professional and experienced and they have built the luxury home we always wanted. Highly recommend the team for your next project!

Melanie NSt Kilda

The team at Sherbrooke were extremely accommodating and professional prior to, throughout and after our build. We were extremely impressed by the attention to detail and quality of finishes, and the desire to get things right. In particular, intelligent and harmonious resolution of any issues through the process removed so much potential stress. I would recommend Sherbrooke to anyone considering a new build or renovation.

Robert RMalvern East

FAQs About Sloping Blocks

What Is a Sloping Block?

Simply put, a sloping block is a piece of land that isn’t flat. As experienced sloping block builders in Melbourne, Sherbrooke Constructions has plenty of experience in this area.

Sloping blocks come in various forms, whether it’s a gentle slope or a steep incline. Each type of sloping block offers unique advantages when it comes to home design and functionality. Working with a sloping block can allow for a home that feels naturally integrated into its surroundings, offering views, natural light, and more distinctive architectural features.

What Are The Benefits of Building a House on a Sloping Block?

Building on a sloping block can initially feel like a daunting task. While that is understandable, it’s also important to know some of the unique opportunities that homeowners can benefit from due to building on sloping blocks.

Unique housing
One of the benefits of homes built on sloping blocks is that they tend to have more individuality than those built on flat ground or by a volume builder. Split-level homes offer designers a lot of freedom to make expressive creations that incorporate the use of different levels as well as high ceilings to create a space that feels open, airy and welcoming.

Great lighting
Natural light is a huge benefit of building on a sloping block and can really transform the feeling of a home. This is achieved fairly organically due to the increased window space afforded by a split level design.

The natural gradient of your block allows for larger windows, skylights, and glass doors that can flood your home with sunlight, making every room brighter and more inviting.

Privacy
Another great benefit of sloping blocks is that they can offer more privacy than those on flat land due to the increased elevation. This can be a great benefit to families who like entertaining and having that sense of seclusion even in the heart of suburbia.

The elevation gained from a sloping block allows for more strategic window placement, ensuring your home remains private while still capturing exceptional views.

Great views
Perhaps one of the most commonly expressed upsides to building on sloping blocks is the view that housing on these land types can provide. From elevated positions, homeowners are often able to take in amazing panoramas that otherwise would be hidden behind a flat block.

Less use of retaining walls
By building in a manner that works with the sloping landscape, houses built on sloping blocks using a split-level design are able to do away with the use of large unappealing retaining walls if building a single level design.

Great resale value
Due to a combination of all the above factors, homes on sloping blocks are massively appealing to would-be home buyers. This makes them a great investment as well as a pleasing living space.

The unique features and elevated nature of homes on sloping blocks often make them highly sought after, ensuring a higher return on investment when it’s time to sell.

What Slope is Too Steep to Build On?

With the right expertise, a home can be built on all different kinds of gradients. Very few blocks of land in Melbourne’s suburbs are above a 25-30% gradient (think San Francisco blocks) and as such a sloped house is able to be built on any of them. Even ones that are at 30% or more can be built on thanks to modern building and landscaping techniques utilised by our designers and construction team.

At Sherbrooke, we assess every slope carefully to determine the best possible design, ensuring stability and ease of construction. Even steep gradients can be worked with using techniques such as stepped foundations, reinforced structures, and clever landscaping to make the most of the land.

What is a Split-Level House?

A split-level house is the most commonly chosen build style when it comes to building on a sloping block. Split-level housing offers a unique set of benefits when compared to classic level housing designs. It uses the fall of the block and is constructed in a way that complements the shape of the land, as opposed to digging into the hillside and using large retaining walls to allow for a single level home.

What are The Challenges of Building on a Sloping Block?

As with any building project, building on a sloped block does tend to come with some of its own set of challenges and considerations. We’ll cover a few of them here. But before we do, it’s important to remember that by entrusting your home with an experienced sloping block builder in Melbourne, such as Sherbrooke Constructions, you’ve already taken the best step to overcoming any site building challenges that can arise from sloping blocks.

The need to ‘cut and fill’
This is a common part of building homes on a sloping block. It is a landscaping practice that takes into account the natural ground line of your block, and then ‘cuts’ parts of that ground out of the slope in order to then ‘fill’ other parts of the slope. The end result of this is that you are left with a more uniform shape that allows for an easier time when building a split-level home.

While the ‘cut and fill’ process can influence the landscape, it also ensures the stability of the foundation, making it possible to create a flat surface for your home. We carefully plan this process to preserve the natural beauty of the site while providing a solid base for construction.

Drainage
Given that in most cases the lowest part of the block is the closest to the street, most sloping homes are towards the bottom of the block while the garden sits behind. The challenge here is to find ways of channeling drainage in a way so that water is not flowing down onto the house and onto the foundations underneath.

We address drainage concerns early in the design process, utilising effective methods such as French drains and stormwater management systems that keep water flowing away from the foundation. Our solutions ensure long-term durability and prevent water damage, especially on sloped blocks where drainage can be more challenging.

As experienced sloping block builders in Melbourne, Sherbrooke Constructions are adept at managing these challenges and any others that can arise during the building process.

What extra steps are taken when building or extending on a Sloping Block?

Sloping blocks are always an interesting challenge for the builder and can produce some of the most satisfying and unique results when completed. In order to make sure that the house is being built on top of land that is sturdy and well-drained, certain extra steps are taken when building or extending a home on a sloping block.
The first is to do a topographical survey. This is used to understand the exact slope and contour lines of your block. These surveys are also helpful for determining what long-standing vegetation should be kept as a priority when building the home.

The next is to understand some of the aspects that will help to inform the design of the house, such as where the light comes from, what views can be seen from where and the common wind direction, to name a few.
And finally, there is the need to perform the necessary landscaping on the block. This will give a solid base for the construction of the house itself, and ensure that there is adequate drainage around the property.

Get in touch with our team at Sherbrooke Constructions to find out how we can build your dream home on a sloping block in Melbourne.