The Importance of Location: Selecting the Perfect Site for Your Home
We don’t need to tell you how important location is when you’re building a new home. Location is everything! It’s easy to say that, but slightly trickier to get it right. After all, there are lots of factors to consider when choosing a block of land for your new home, such as:
Lifestyle
When you have a State as vast and as beautiful as Western Australia, narrowing down a location to build in can be easier said than done. Fortunately, we build homes across WA, so whether you’re building on the coast, in the country, or in the metro area, we can help.
When choosing the location for your new home, ask yourself:
- Do you want/need to be close to the city for work?
- Are you looking for a tree-change or sea-change?
- Do you want to be near family and friends?
- Do you want the children to be close to their current school?
- Do you crave solitude, or would you prefer to be part of a bustling neighbourhood?
Location
Of course, you’ll have a personal preference when it comes to the location of your new home, but do check the following before you commit to a block of land:
- Existing and proposed developments
- Property value trend over the years
- Access to highways and public transportation
- Proximity to schools, police stations, hospitals
- Proximity to shopping centres
Size
For the most part, your block’s size is determined by its location and your budget. If you’d like to build a big home on a large, sprawling block, then consider looking outside of the Perth metro area. If a more compact, low-maintenance home is for you, then a smaller, urban block will suit you perfectly.
Consider your lifestyle, dream location and realistic budget to determine the size of block that’s right for your new home.
Orientation
The orientation of your block directly impacts the way your new home will be designed. At WA Country Builders, we prioritise environmental sustainability and design homes that maximise sunlight exposure and adopt passive heating/cooling, thereby saving on energy bills.
Slope
If your block slopes, you might find that the cost of your build goes up significantly. If the block is steep, or if there are trees, rocks or existing structures that need to be removed, you’ll incur more site costs in order to get the land level and ready to build on.
If you’re planning on building a home on a slope, you’ll need to factor in additional costs such as site preparation, demolition, council fees and traffic management.
Council restrictions
West Australian councils and estates have specific planning guidelines and building regulations that may impact the type of house you can build. For example, you might be limited to whether you build a single or double-storey home, what materials you use, the maximum site coverage percentage, and even front fence heights. Some West Australian estates may also specify your home’s façade and colour scheme.
Bushfire and flood risk
If your block is in a bushfire or flood zone, you’ll be limited to the type of property you can build, the materials you can use, and the overall cost. It may also impact your ability to obtain finance. Check with the local city council to determine bushfire and flood risk before you commit to a block!
