Replies

1. 
   DanH | Jul 03, 2015 09:34pm | #1

   Seems to me it depends to a large degree on how you want to access the house.  You can have a house with a walk-out basement, eg, and you might want that on the front or the back.

2. 
   mark122 | Jul 04, 2015 09:48am | #2

   in terms of ease, i would say uphill. if your grade is close to the same on both sides of the road you are essentially building the same house with the same considerations in mind. i would prefere to work up hill that down.

1. 
   gonyo | Jul 04, 2015 10:13am | #3

   My grade is pretty much identical on both lots.  about 80 feet of drop in 200 feet. is there any reason why working up hill is preferable or is that just a personal preferance.  I'm trying to figure out the cheapest excavation possible as I'll be building this house out of pocket and one step at a time so having a cheaper 1st step would help.

1. 
   mark122 | Jul 05, 2015 09:56am | #5

   that is a pretty steep hill. yeah, would chose the up hill for sure. it is a personal preference. Feel a lot more comfortable working up hill specially with machinery. 

   are you doing the earth work or are you getting someone to do it? 

   if you are contracting it out just ask if one would cost less than the other, lots of things to take into consideration with that decision. 

1. 
   gonyo | Jul 05, 2015 01:13pm | #6

   OK thanks its a good thing cause the lower land went pending on friday anyways.  I will doing the majority of the dirtwork myself (I have a little time behind a excavator) and a friend who runs equipment doing the final touches for the foundation.  my biggest thought is that i shouldnt have to bring in as much fill if im working up hill am I right or a little off the mark?

2. 
   junkhound | Jul 05, 2015 08:04pm | #7

   Uphill easier and cheaper, dump the dig from the uphill lot onto the lower lot. 

   However, if the lower lot has a lot of downhill in back of it, then you can just shove dirt out the back, no need to drag it across the road.

   Or, if upper lot has enough uphill, build at top and shove dirt toward the street away from drive. 

3. 
   DanH | Jul 04, 2015 04:43pm | #4

   How much difference in grade are you talking about, between the front and the back of the house?