BUILDING ON A SITE
Building on a site is not simply a matter of finding a design and a site to suit ones needs. There are many aspects to consider and look out for; such as the gradient or slope, northern or southern hemisphere in terms of the western sun, entry, building lines and servitudes, view and shape. Climatic conditions determine the importance of orientation.
The combination of all these aspects on a site is more complex than one would imagine. Also take time to check out the soil conditions on the stand chosen – certain soils can pose difficulty for building and may also pose landscaping difficulties, adding costs to the build. Remember to check if the site chosen is in a proclaimed township and what municipal services are offered (for example, some areas do not have rubbish collection services). Also check what the rates and taxes are for the area as this will become part of the monthly cost of living and will be due for payment on transfer of the property. Our book Home Plans for Southern Africa – ISBN: 0 – 620 – 34919 - 0, offers examples of how to address the issue of site differences by stepping or orientating a design to suit the site.
One must take the following into account when choosing or building on a site:
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