Choosing the Right Block: What to Consider Before You Buy Land
Finding a block of land can be one of the most exciting parts of planning a new home.
You start picturing where the house might sit, what the backyard could look like and whether the location feels right for the next stage of your life.
But the block you choose can influence far more than the address.
It can affect the design of your home, how much natural light you receive, how easily vehicles can access the site, the amount of earthworks required and ultimately how much of your building budget is available for the home itself.
That is why we encourage people to look beyond the size and price of the land.
Before committing to a block, there are several things worth investigating.
Think About Orientation
Where the sun rises and sets can have a significant influence on the way your home feels.
Orientation can affect:
- • Natural light
- • Living areas
- • Outdoor entertaining
- • Window placement
- • Heat entering the home
- • How different rooms are positioned
A good home design should respond to the block rather than simply placing an existing floor plan onto it.
For example, you may want your main living spaces positioned to take advantage of natural light while also considering the western afternoon sun.
The right answer will depend on the block, surrounding homes and how you want to live. This is one reason we like to understand the site before getting too far into the design.
A Flat Block Is Not Always a Simple Block
People often assume that if a block looks flat, building on it will be straightforward.
That is not always the case.
Even relatively small changes in level can influence:
- • Earthworks
- • Retaining
- • Drainage
- • Finished floor levels
- • Driveway design
- • Landscaping
A sloping block can also create opportunities. It may allow you to take advantage of a view, create different levels within the home or design outdoor areas that respond naturally to the site.
The important thing is knowing what you are buying. A block should be assessed properly rather than judged from the road.
A Block Should Be Assessed, Not Just Viewed
What looks simple from the street may have site conditions that only become obvious once the land is properly investigated. Understanding those conditions early can help you make a more informed decision.
Check Access to the Site
Site access is something homeowners rarely think about when buying land.
Builders do.
During construction, trucks, excavators, cranes, delivery vehicles and trades all need to reach the site. A narrow frontage, steep driveway, tight corner or restricted access point can influence the way construction needs to be managed.
Ask:
- • Can large vehicles access the block?
- • Is there somewhere for materials to be delivered?
- • Are neighbouring properties or structures restricting access?
- • Will additional handling be required?
None of these things necessarily mean you should avoid the block. But they should be understood before you commit.
Understand Easements and Restrictions
A large block does not necessarily mean the entire block is available for building.
Easements, setbacks, covenants and other restrictions may affect where the home can sit.
For example, an easement may run through an area where you had imagined placing a shed, pool or part of the house.
Estate covenants can also influence things such as:
- • Setbacks
- • Façade requirements
- • Materials
- • Fencing
- • Outbuildings
Before purchasing, make sure you understand what restrictions apply and whether they conflict with what you want to build.
Know Where the Services Are
Water, sewer, stormwater, electricity and telecommunications all need to connect to the home.
Where those services are located can influence design and construction. It is worth understanding:
- • Where connection points are located
- • Whether services cross the block
- • Whether additional infrastructure is required
- • How drainage will work
Again, these issues do not necessarily make a block unsuitable. They simply need to be included in the planning. Unexpected site requirements become much harder to manage after the land has already been purchased.
The Ground Under the Home Matters
What you can see above ground only tells part of the story.
The conditions below the surface can influence how the home needs to be engineered. This is why site investigation and engineering are important parts of preparing for construction.
Two Blocks Can Have Very Different Requirements
Different ground conditions can affect foundation design and site preparation. Do not assume two blocks in the same suburb will necessarily cost the same to build on. The land itself can create very different requirements.
For a homeowner, the important lesson is simple: understand the site before committing to the land.
Design the Home for the Block
One of the biggest mistakes people can make is falling in love with a floor plan before understanding whether it suits the land.
A home should work with:
- • Orientation
- • Frontage
- • Shape
- • Views
- • Privacy
- • Outdoor areas
- • Access and surrounding properties
Sometimes a relatively small design change can make a significant difference.
A window may be moved to improve privacy. The living area may be repositioned to capture better light. The garage may move to make access easier. The alfresco may be positioned to take advantage of the best part of the block.
That is where custom design becomes valuable. Instead of asking, “Can we fit this house on the block?” a better question is:
What Home Will Work Best on This Block?
The best design responds to the land rather than forcing the land to accommodate a design that was created somewhere else.
Talk to a Builder Before You Buy
One of the best things you can do before signing a land contract is involve your builder early.
A builder looks at a block differently from a buyer.
You may see a beautiful outlook. The builder may also notice:
- • Access
- • Fall
- • Drainage
- • Service locations
- • Retaining requirements
- • Orientation
- • Building envelope
- • Potential construction challenges
That perspective can help you make a more informed decision before you are committed to the land. It can also help you understand whether the home you have in mind is realistic for the site and your overall budget.
The Block and the Home Should Work Together
Choosing land should not be separated from choosing the home.
The two decisions influence each other.
A well-chosen block can create opportunities for better natural light, outdoor living, views and a design that genuinely suits the way you want to live.
A poorly understood block can introduce costs or compromises that only become obvious later.
Thinking About Buying Land?
If you are considering buying land in Bundaberg, Bargara or the surrounding region, speak with us before you commit.
We can look at the block with you, talk through what you are hoping to build and help identify the questions worth answering before you move forward.
Getting the right advice early can help you understand the opportunities and potential challenges before you commit to the land.
Talk to Us Before You Buy
Already found a block? Book a consultation with Masterbuilt Homes and talk through what you are hoping to build.
