From what slope is a basement sensible?

Hello everyone,

we are currently in the process of purchasing a plot of land and have already had initial talks with our potential house builder. He said that building without a basement on our plot would indeed be more complex due to the slope (we actually do not want a basement).

It is such that at the front, over about 21.5m, there is an elevation difference of 2m and at the back over 26m about 1.3m height difference.

How do you assess this? Attached is also a sketch for better understanding. The house is to be placed on the front left side and the garage/carport next to it on the right, so that the garden extends to the back.

Best regards

Yes, that is definitely not easy! We have a similar plot and here everyone built with a basement, otherwise I would have built without one too.

But now I am very happy because the living spaces have become bright and you can use the space wonderfully.

You cannot say something like that in general. However, there is enough of the lower floor above the ground surface, which provides some great windows to the "basement." Thus, you can convert the basement into a fully functional living floor and have a house without a basement.

Where is north in the sketch?

Where is north in the sketch?

North is at the top, so the garden will face north.

You can't say something like that in general. However, the lower floor then has enough above ground level to provide the "basement" with some great windows. Thus, you can develop the basement as a fully functional living floor and have a house without a basement.

Basically completely correct and good, but a question of cost, because we had not factored in a basement at all so far. If it really won't work without a basement, then it will rather be a "utility basement," that is, without underfloor heating, standard 2.20 height and probably all feasible as DIY (standard tiles, painting walls)... simply put.