Lot Issues: Dealing with Unusual Slope Problems

When it comes to building your custom home, the placement of the lot makes an enormous difference. However, the terrain also has an impact on the plans you have for the future. That’s why prospective custom homeowners will have to address lot-related issues such as problems with the slope of the land around you. In coastal areas, you might not have larger slope issues to deal with; nevertheless, stepped footers and taller crawlspace walls can help protect and stabilize your newly-built home! 

Ways to Build on Sloped Land 

So, now that we know that, how do we accomplish these home building techniques? Well, determining the slope is the first step. Here at Accessible Home Builders, we begin by using a laser level. With the laser level as our main tool, we can examine your property’s slope levels. This technique is used to measure the degree of the slopes and how they compare to the typical crawlspace height. We then proceed to install footers or use some blocks to make up for the difference. 

Let’s switch gears for a moment: the cut-and-fill method and the stilts method are the two main ways you can build a custom home on sloped land. Cut-and-fill has to do with leveling out the ground to help ensure the foundation is stable enough to support your new home. Soil is either filled in or removed; the removed soil can then be used to help reinforce the retaining walls you want to have on your home’s property. 

What about the stilted method? We’re glad you asked! Wood and steel columns are assembled before a crane is used to lift the home onto these new stilts – which means you can put your home closer to the water by the beach!

Reasons to Build on Plots with Slope 

Now that you know more about how to build on land featuring a slope, here are some reasons to do so: 

• You get some great views;
• Inclines improving the aesthetics of the landscape;
• You can add a walkout basement that serves as an extra floor;
• Bay windows can bring in far more natural light;
• You’ll also be able to arrange for some privacy away from potentially nosy neighbors. 

Potential Challenges That Can Cause Delays

As always, there are going to be some potential challenges that can get in your way. The gradient of the slope can interfere with your plans for your custom home. Likewise, the orientation of the lot will affect construction preparations. Steep gradients will dramatically increase the workload and costs involved. Finally, upsloping is more difficult than downsloping – that’s because cutting or blasting might need to be used to speed up the process.   

Contact Accessible Home Builders Today

Here at Accessible Home Builders, we’re proud to say we’ve been building and remodeling homes since 1994. In that time, we’ve serviced the areas of Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Selbyville, Seaford, Millsboro, Georgetown, Laurel, and more communities within Delaware. We work to guarantee a high level of professionalism, dedication, and the use of quality materials to ensure our customers have the home they deserve.

To get in touch with us, give us a call at our office at 302-663-0464, send us an email at info@accessiblehomebuilders.com or visit us in person at 28412 DuPont Blvd, #103 Millsboro, DE 19966. Alternatively, give our satellite office a call at 302-628-9571, which is located at 500 W. Stein Hwy. Seaford, DE 19973. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay updated on what we’re up to next!

We are proud to be recognized as “Southern Delaware’s Best Home Remodeling” Company for 2020 by Metropolitan Magazine.  We work hard every day to provide quality workmanship and service to create that new space or the new look you want in your home.  Call us today to discuss your next project.