Why build a split level home?

The benefits of split level homes are widely known, so why is it that when you look carefully at many homes on sloping blocks you would would think that their builder thought the world was flat.

What you see is a slab home dug into the slope of the land. Steep driveways, expensive, large retaining walls and a less attractive façade result.

Why? Because most builders have lost the skills and techniques to build a home to suit the site. 30 years ago all homes were designed to the site, so what has changed?

Unlike most builders, Montgomery Homes build split level homes with bearers and joists as well as split slab designs.

Benefits include…

• Maximise the value of your home on any block
• More choice of affordable land at better locations
• Better designs; unique inside and out
• Abundant natural light and air-flow
• Separate living areas on different levels
• Natural drainage preserved
• Better outlooks and views
• Less excavation
• Flatter driveway
• Designed to follow slope of land

If you think the world is flat… ignore this

If on the other hand, you're one of those mostly seasoned homebuyers who are looking at house designs for steep blocks, or are thinking about building a new split-level home, then reading these few words may be amongst the most valuable 90 seconds you'll spend this year.

The benefits of split-level homes are widely known, so why is it that when you look carefully at many homes built on sloping blocks, you'd be entitled to conclude that their builder thought the world was flat?

Too often, what you see is a slab house dug into a sloping block. Steep driveways, large expensive retaining walls and a less attractive street front are the big give-aways.

We don't like to be negative, but the truth is, the poor outlook, drainage issues, reduced light, poor ventilation and lack of privacy such homes experience are hard to escape once you have moved in.

What was a fairly quick exercise for the builder can become a lost opportunity for a family that lasts a life-time.

Montgomery Homes are the sloping site specialists.

We have built a reputation building quality homes on sloping blocks from the ground up for more than 20 years. Look carefully at any Montgomery Home and you'll begin to understand why they've won so many awards for their homes and their professional approach.

Designing to the slope, Montgomery Homes maximise the practical and aesthetic qualities of designs on any block, creating unique and beautiful homes with manageable driveways, abundant light, natural ventilation, great storage, minimal excavation and wonderful views and outlooks.

So whether your block slopes up, down, left or right, Montgomery Homes has a tried and tested architectural design to maximise the value of your new home.

Starting fresh on the same block

Have you ever thought about knocking down your tired old home and building a brand new house? The benefits of knock down rebuild over renovation or building in a new area are numerous.

Benefits include…

• Stay in your current location where you are familiar with your area and neighbours
• Your kids can stay at the same school close to their friends
• Knock down rebuild generally costs half the amount per square metre than renovation does
• No real estate or stamp duty fees
• The opportunity to build the home you have always wanted with all new finishes and fresh modern interiors
• The chance to go green and maximise on the best solar aspects of your block, enjoy the benefits of a well designed insulated home and save with all new water efficient fittings
• Increase the value of your land

Maximising the slope of your block

Your new home is your biggest investment and by being smarter it will give you a maximum return when you go to sell it. What we mean is, why not spend money on the home where it will give you a much better return?

You may be asking what we mean? Lets look at the two visual figures below:

We have a stepped slab and as you can see the house works with the slope of the land at the same time.

Benefits include…

• Reduced driveway slope
• Higher ceilings inside
• Higher garage door
• Unique design with a few steps
• Less cut and fill
• Less retaining walls
• Better back yard
• Less site costs
• Less landscaping costs
• The cost to do something like this is approx $10,000.

Lets take a look at the next figure:

As you can see this is a standard cut and fill home that most builders give you because this is the cheapest way for them to build. The problem is most clients do not know what they are going to end up with: large, expensive retaining walls, steep driveway, increased piering, drainage issues and an asset that is difficult to sell.

Come along to one of our FREE Master Classes

Building your new home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. So whomever you build with you owe it to yourself to do your homework. Building beautiful homes for more than 20 years, we've learned a few things that we're happy to share.

What to expect

Light refreshments will be served and then we'll quickly get on with the presentation. You can expect information not hard sell, just the opportunity to hear from and speak with experts in their field. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and take notes.

By the time you leave you're sure to have a better understanding of your choices when building a new home, from how to choose the right block to evaluate different designs and ensure your building process is enjoyable and problem free.

Green initiatives

As part of our commitment to the environment, Montgomery Homes have teamed up with Greenfleet, the carbon offset charity, to help reduce the impact of building your home. With every home we build we will pay half the cost in making your new home carbon neutral in its first year. Greenfleet will plant 50 native trees on your behalf which means we are all helping to build a better, healthier environment.

HIA Greensmart Professional

Montgomery Homes is a HIA Greensmart Professional, committed to designing and constructing homes in an environmentally responsible way. This includes improving the energy, resource and water efficiency of our homes which enables home-owners to waste less and recycle more. We are also committed to reducing waste from the building process, creating healthier homes for the occupants and improving site management during construction. This initiative has benefits to the home owner such as lower energy and water bills, a warmer house in winter, a cooler house in summer, a healthier home to live in and less waste going to landfill.

Timber frame vs steel

Montgomery Homes use T2 Blue frame & trusses which have a 25 year guarantee against structural damage by termites. T2 Blue timber is totally non-toxic to all humans and animals, biodegradable, environmentally friendly and is plantation grown within Australia from sustainable managed forests.

Other benefits include…

• Timber substantially outscores steel in its environmental acceptability.
  
• Timber framing is extremely versatile (unlike steel) when cutting, changing or even installing a picture frame.
  
• Timber frames produce up to 5 times less green house gas
  

Montgomery Homes build zones include:

The Newcastle / Hunter region

• Muswellbrook
• Singleton
• Cessnock
• Maitland
• Port Stephens
• Lake Macquarie
  
• Newcastle

Central Coast

• Gosford
• Wyong

Sydney

• Blacktown
• Blue Mountains *
• Camden
  
• Campbelltown *
• Cantebury
• Cumberland
  
• Fairfield
  
• Georges River
• The Hills *
  
• Hornsby *
• Ku-Ring-Gai
  
• Liverpool *
  
• Lower Mountains / Hawkesbury * (Springwood, Winmalee, Lapstone, Kurrajong)
• Northern Beaches * (Fairlight, Manly, Mona Vale, Newport, Seaforth)
  
• North Sydney * (Chatswood, Lane Cove, Willoughby)
• Parramatta
• Penrith *
• Ryde
• Southern Sydney * (Cronulla, Miranda, Caringbah, Hurstville, Sylvania)  
• Strathfield *
  
• Sutherland *