Land tips for a new house

Here are five tips on how to catch the right piece of land by Better Built Homes:

The better blocks might be more expensive but the cheaper blocks could cost you more in the long run due to unexpected site costs.

When selecting land, location is important but there are a few things to consider to save time and money.

Jeff Dennis, sales manager at Better Built Homes said to look at flat land as a first step.

“The first thing we advise people, is to look for land that is as flat as possible with a minimum slope to avoid extra site costs. If you are not sure, ask for the slope measurement,” Mr Dennis said.

“The clearer the land and level the better, so look for land that is as clear as possible, free from rocks, trees and scrub. If your land requires clearing and requires council approval to remove trees or has difficult access or lack of services it will cause delays which can be very expensive,” Mr Dennis said.

According to Better Built Homes, having a view of bushland can be as a selling point but building within 100m of bushland will require a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment before being granted a building permit.

Even the lowest (BAL) could increase your costs by $5,000.

The experts urge people to consider all aspects of the land contract and of applying conditions. This includes checking if the Section 149 Certificate is current. Council regulations and zonings often change and it may not be possible to build on the land.

Some land is unregistered. Generally, Better Built Homes advises people to buy registered land.

People are also recommended to consider a solicitor to review the contract and check for easements.

These are usually for drainage, power or telephone connections and have to be kept clear.

When working with the council, it is suggested that all information or conversations are in writing. 

If you would like to talk to a builder about land or building a new home, contact Better Built Homes on 1300 100 922 or visit www.betterbuilthomes.com.au.