Need advise with site costs

I am planning to do KDRB in Melbourne eastern suburbs. I have reached out to quite a few builders. The site costs amongst builders vary a lot. I am aware that builders can't give an exact amount without doing soil and land survey. My land has 2-2.5m fall. Lowest quote was $35,000 and highest quote for site cost was $85,000. That's a huge difference. Can you please share your experience with your builder.
1. I would like to know how much you were quoted by sales and how much you actually paid after soil test and survey was done.
2. I am thinking of doing my own soil test and survey and take it builders to fix site cost and to avoid any surprises. If you have used one, please recommend.

 

Groundwork is subject to latent conditions - no-one has X-ray vision and can tell by sniffing the soil whether you sit on a stable loadbearing foundation or a quagmire or something in between.

Even the bod at $85k may have made a light allowance if the assumption was incorrect based on 3 or 4 test bores.

 

Does your design make use of the slope in order to avoid excessive site cuts?

 

I am looking at volume builders who go with slabs and look to cut and fill and use retaining walls to make the land level for slab.

 

Thanks, we have budgeted for $80k. We are concerned about site costs coming back at significantly more than that at the tender stage.

 

That explains the massive site costs.... 2 - 2.5 m fall over the block means a huge cut and fill

 

Did you get any quotes from builders who specialise in sloping blocks?

 

Hi Joynz
Can you recommend any?

 

I've built on a few very slopey blocks (not in vic) and it's imperative to get the design right to avoid excessive site costs and also get the best engineering for your lot. My builds on these blocks always ended up being a split level design into the fall of the land. You'll most likely need a custom builder who has experience building on very slopped land. It should also save you on the build costs with these type of builders when compared to a builder who will be scared ******** and you’ll end up having huge PSs.

 

Thanks Sackie, will look into it. Spoke to couple Builders who build on slab and in slopes (split level) assure me that 2.5 fall isn't much to consider split level as the cost to build is more than what it will cost to cut and fill. They recommend split level homes for steep falls and anything over 4m. The fall in my land is gradual and runs side to side and then towards the back fence.

 

Google ‘sloping block specialist Melbourne’.

Some names I know of are Rycon & LP Warren (& CH&L builders whose owner worked for both these companies in the past).

 

My block is number 6 and the contour lines running through are 1m falls. It's gradual slope and not a steep fall.

 

Hi wildstallion,

How did you go with the site costs in the end? I’m currently looking for someone in a similar area to do a site cut. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
Thanks