Land Selection Tips

Your block is the foundation of your home and lifestyle. Many people find a suitable floor plan and then a residential block to build on that’s their preferred size in a preferred location. But the two may not be compatible. The land and the plan need to marry together to achieve your preferred living needs, style and goals. In the short term the choice of block can alter build costs and home design considerably. Long term, it can be significant in your living costs and changing lifestyle needs.

We trust the following tips assist you to make an informed choice in your land selection.

1. Subdivision.
Blocks are often purchased before the subdivision is finished and titles available. If you wish to see what the finished estate will be like in a couple of years, drive around a completed estate from the same developer. What is the streetscape like? Are the roads wide enough? Is the reserve or park area maintained?

2. Covenants.
Know what the estate or subdivision covenants are before you purchase. Some covenants are quite involved and others minimal. Corner blocks will sometimes have particular covenants with greater building restrictions.

3. Shape, size and frontage.
The shape and frontage of the block is more important than the size. For example, an 800 square metre, irregular shape, small frontage block on a slope may have more waste area and be harder to access than a 600 square metre rectangular level block with full frontage. Site costs increase with a sloped or difficult access block.

4. Orientation and aspect.
For optimum energy efficiency the living areas need to face north. Solar water and power panels also need to face north. Therefore, ideally, a long side of the block should face north.

5. Easements.
Easements are common on properties and cannot be built on. It’s important to check where they, if any, are located. If the block is narrow and has a three metre easement down the long side, your house will be significantly narrower.

6. Soil Test.
Many developers provide soil tests with the block purchase. The soil
classification affects the home foundations and site costs. ‘S’, ‘M’ or ‘M-D’ soil
classifications are the most cost effective. It’s usually best to avoid a ‘P’ soil
classification. Rocky ground may also increase site costs considerably.

7. Bushfire Assessment Level (BAL)
A ‘BAL’ is required for all new homes in the Bendigo area. The higher the ‘BAL’ rating, the more bushfire safety measures there are in the build and the higher the cost of the build. Ask the selling agent if a ‘BAL’ has been done before you purchase. ‘BAL LOW’ or ‘BAL12.5’ ratings are the most cost effective. However, as of  September 2011, if the land you wish to build your new home on has a ‘BAL’ rating of ‘BAL LOW’ or ‘BAL 12.5′ the home must be built to’ BAL 12.5′ standard.