Land Selection
Finding the Right Foundation
Typical Duration: 2–6 Weeks
Land Selection
Not all land is equal. A block may appear perfect on paper but present significant engineering or planning challenges that add tens of thousands of dollars to your build cost. Our team evaluates land from a construction and design perspective before you commit, assessing orientation (north-facing living is ideal in South Australia), slope and retaining requirements, soil type and potential reactive clay issues, access to services (sewer, gas, NBN), proximity to bushfire attack level zones, and applicable council Development Plan overlays. For knockdown-rebuild projects, we conduct a thorough assessment of the existing structure and any heritage or character overlay restrictions that may affect your design freedom.
What Happens at This Stage
- ✓ Site orientation analysis (solar, prevailing winds)
- ✓ Slope and retaining wall requirements assessment
- ✓ Soil report review (Class A through P classification)
- ✓ Council zoning and overlay check
- ✓ Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment where applicable
- ✓ Existing services and connection cost review
- ✓ Knockdown requirements (if applicable)
What to Know at This Stage
A soil test (geotechnical report) should be conducted before purchase wherever possible — soil class dramatically affects slab and foundation costs.
Steep blocks can add $50,000–$150,000 to building costs due to retaining walls and site preparation.
Check if the block is in a Regulated or Significant Tree zone, as removal can be costly and time-consuming.
Questions About This Stage
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