An acreage home is built on a larger plot of land than the usual residential block and is often in a rural area or the outer suburbs of a city where land is plentiful. Building such a home gives you the opportunity to have a more tranquil life with greater privacy and an outdoor lifestyle. With a bigger plot available, you can also build a much larger home with all the space and facilities you are likely to need.
The many advantages of acreage properties, together with the scarcity and high cost of city residential blocks, have led to an increase in acreage homes. People want to escape the city congestion and have a change of lifestyle, so this type of living is increasingly popular.
However, it is not without its challenges, and you need to consider carefully all the factors before making the change.
Understanding Your Land & Site Assessment (The Foundation of Your Design)
Before even starting to plan your acreage home, you need to find a block that seems suitable and then carefully assess all the characteristics of the site. Evaluate the topography of the land, the type of soil, drainage and its natural features such as the presence of trees and water running through it. You also need to be aware of any local regulations and restrictions on what you can build, which may be detrimental to your intentions.
The location of the plot of land may affect what can be built and the method for doing this. High winds, for example, may be more frequent and stronger than in the city due to the open space that surrounds the property.
You want a site that can support your lifestyle needs and where construction is not made more complex and expensive due to the limitations of the site. The building will need to have foundations that are appropriate for the land and must be constructed to withstand local conditions. Various factors can affect the overall cost, so you need to establish an affordable budget and ensure the cost falls within it.
Essential Services & Infrastructure Considerations
City dwellers are accustomed to certain services being available — electricity, gas, water, telephone, internet and waste disposal — and take them for granted.
In a rural setting, however, the same level of infrastructure will not be available, and it’s important that you establish if the services you need can be provided. The lack of certain services may mean you have to be more self-sufficient, with solar or generator power, tank water and a septic tank. Even if services are available, connection to them may be more expensive.
Some acreage land may not even have an access road, which will be needed for site access during the construction phase and also for your own access when you live there. Land that has an existing road will obviously be best but if not, you need to know the practicality and cost of building one. This may be more complicated if the land slopes steeply or has water running through the likely location of the road.
Local Regulations, Permits & Zoning Overlays
Before development starts, you will need planning permission from the local council. Even before that, you have to be aware of local regulations, restrictions and guidelines. Some councils have specific planning requirements that specify the type of homes that can be built, and you need to be sure these conform to your requirements.
You also need to be aware of zoning overlays that may apply to the land. These may designate land of particular heritage significance, that has a flood risk or fire risk.. There may, therefore, be restrictions you need to be aware of. For example, there is typically a greater fire risk/bush fire overlay for acreage properties due to the vegetation compared to living in a built-up area.
Only when you know what you are allowed to do can you set firm plans for the development. You should work closely with a local architect or builder who is aware of all local regulations, has experience with acreage properties and has the understanding and ability to transform your wishes into reality.
Optimising Design for Acreage Living (Beyond the House Footprint)
An acreage property has a lot more space than the average residential block. That gives you an opportunity to build a much larger home than would otherwise be possible and to have all the features you need. Many people go for homestead or ranch-style designs and incorporate home theatres, gyms, spas and extensive living areas. They also aim for a more sustainable style of living with the use of natural materials, solar power and other environmentally friendly features.
You will also have a lot more outside space, and so your overall design should take advantage of that space by using it to create an outdoor lifestyle. The extensive space gives the opportunity for outdoor entertainment and relaxation.
You can create open areas to enjoy the sunshine, covered areas to escape the heat, and with careful planning and orientation, can enjoy sunrises and sunsets, and let natural light flood into your home. A seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas is essential to ensure you make the best use of all the space you have available and feel more connected to nature.
Being in a more rural setting gives you the chance to raise animals, although check with the local council before doing so. You’ll need to protect those animals from predators and ensure they don’t escape onto adjoining land.
Acreage living gives a lot of potential to completely change your lifestyle, but you will only achieve all the benefits if you plan carefully.
At Enso Homes, we can help you do that. We have plenty of experience in building acreage homes and have a range of designs and the ability to create completely bespoke residences that exactly meet your needs. Contact us today, and we will guide you through the process.
