We are preparing to build on a lot that is sloped a little from east to west. We originally had planned to put our garage on the west side of the house, but a builder suggested that the garage should be placed at the highest end and that we should flip our design. What is the purpose or benefit of doing this?
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Replies
There's so much more to think about. It depends on where on the house the garage is, in other words, is it tucked under the living space in a basement, is it level with the ground floor, or what? What about where on the road you'd like to make the cut -- any blind corners or traffic considerations? And the topography, slope, and length of the driveway. How will the rain run off the driveway and where will it go? How about snow plowing -- where will the plow push the snow to?
The house matters, too. What about view? prevailing wind? sun? windows? shade? mature trees? privacy? Flipping a plan may make those elements better or worse. Whether it does or not is a tossup because stock plans completely ignore them in their design anyway.
The point is that there is no stock answer. Design is more than just plopping a generic house on a lot. The location of the garage is part of an entire system which needs to take in all aspects of the site. Ask the builder why he recommends what he dose, and consider that among all the aspects of designing and siting the house.
Put your garage where you want it, the hell with the builder, he not paying the bill.
If he can't give a reason to satisfy you, how would we? What does he say/
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I think he is trying to save you some money by not having to fill as much under the garage. This would only apply if the house is not on a slab.
If you put the garage on the low side, you may have a chance for a low cost two story building (with a lower level) depending on how much slope you have.
Four more feet of foundation and a concrete or spancrete upper floor is cheap space if the geography allows it.
I'd keep the garage on the low side and drop it a foot.
Were the plans done specific to the site? In other words, did the architect or designer know everything about the plot, including its topography, before putting pencil to paper?
Sounds like maybe not.
If you are working with a purchased plan, or with something the builder gave you from his "files," then you will need to tell us a lot more information, before we can advise.