Whew! At last, you picked a gorgeous lot to build the custom home of your dreams, complete with hilltop views for miles. You can even catch a glimpse of downtown San Antonio from exactly where you plan to perch your home. Exciting! After scheduling your lot evaluation with our team we’re excited too! Our team of designers and construction managers love the idea of constructing a work of art, on a hill, for everyone to see. Still, at Diamante Luxury Homes transparency is key. It is important for our clients to understand the costs and challenges associated with building on tough terrain.
Below are some of the biggest cons of constructing your San Antonio custom home on a sloped lot.
CON #1: YOU’LL HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT DRAINAGE ISSUE.
If your home is built at the top of a hill, you won’t have the same sloped lot issues that you’ll have if it’s built in the middle or at the bottom of the slope, but you’ll still have to talk about drainage. Rainwater and melting sleet or snow travels to the lowest point, and that means it needs to go around and under your foundation.
Rest assured you are working with a luxury custom home builder that understands how to properly create paths for water to move past and beneath your home without affecting the structural stability. This will necessarily create more work during the construction phase. Take note, at Diamante Luxury Homes we don’t take shortcuts– we get it right the first time.
CON #2: MAINTENANCE CAN BE A CHALLENGE.
“How on earth are we going to mow the lawn?” It’s a very real question, especially if you’re planning on building a custom home on a sloped lot.
Obviously, the steeper the grade, the harder it will be to keep your landscaping in order. You may want to consider adding retaining walls of differing heights and dimensions, along with plants or grasses that do not need to be traditionally cut with a mower. Another alternative with a sloped lot is to add low-maintenance rocks, trees, and other landscaping elements to reduce the upkeep. Scroll through our gallery and you will find plenty of examples of ways to combat landscaping challenges. Questions? Call (210) 341-6430 for a thorough review of your homesite, or drop us an email at info@jasdc.com.
CON #3: YOU WILL HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR EROSION.
Erosion is a natural process, but that doesn’t make it less serious if it’s happening on your custom home’s lot.
Our design build team of architects, designers, and engineers will ensure designs that neutralize erosion, as well as the likelihood of sliding land. Before construction begins, a thorough exploration of the soil types on your sloped lot will help determine what we should do to minimize risk associated with eroding earth.
In a best-case scenario, our Diamante Luxury Home’s team can evaluate the sloped lot before you make your purchase. That way, you’ll be able to find a more appropriate place to construct your home, if necessary.
CON #4: YOU MIGHT HAVE TO PAY EXTRA FOR UTILITIES TO REACH YOUR HOME.
Is your sloped lot in an already developed neighborhood with other homes on graded lots? You’re in luck. The utility companies have already paid to have pipes running uphill to supply water and energy.
No matter where you build your luxury custom home, you’ll always have certain considerations to think about. A sloped lot isn’t a reason to ditch your fantasies of raising your family overlooking the San Antonio Hill Country or high above a naturally meandering stream. It’s just another aspect of building your San Antonio custom home to keep in mind during planning stages.
Diamante Luxury Homes has made a reputation among some of the best San Antonio, and Greater Texas Hill Country Custom Home Builders at doing just that–receiving referrals and offering advice on how to tackle topographical issues. You have questions, we have the answers. Call our experienced staff at (210) 341-6430 for more information on finding the perfect lot or scheduling your free lot evaluation today!
