Imagine this: you’ve finally moved into your dream home.
It has the right layout, ample space, and fits your family’s needs perfectly. What’s more, the kitchen looks exactly how you imagined it. But there’s one problem: The house is in the wrong spot.
As a result, not only is it uncomfortably cooler in winter and hotter in summer…
You’re forced to crank up the heating even in Spring and Autumn – and your energy bills have skyrocketed.
Here’s the thing: not all blocks are perfect.
Therefore, it’s essential to customise your home design to maximise sun orientation.
This will ensure your home is both energy efficient and bathed in natural light. But it goes far deeper than that…
6 Other Pitfalls of Poor Home Placement
Pitfall #1: Regulatory Complications
In addition to the added costs, improper orientation of the build could result in non-compliance with certain building regulations. For example, the water authority might have a right of passage through the back of your block of land. Overlooking this could mean your plans encroach on restricted areas, forcing you to make costly and time-consuming changes once you’re already under contract.
Pitfall #2: Lost Connection with Outdoor Spaces
In a poorly oriented home, your outdoor areas might end up in the shadows or with awkward access points that don’t sync with the way you live. This can leave your alfresco dining areas or decks uninviting or underused.
Even worse, you may need to invest in costly modifications to make them usable, like additional lighting, heat lamps, or shade structures, when better placement could have allowed nature to do the work for you.
Pitfall #3: Poor Ventilation and Air Quality
A poorly positioned home may suffer from inadequate natural ventilation, leading to stuffy indoor air and potential moisture buildup.
This can cause mould growth, higher humidity levels, and poor indoor air quality, which not only affects your health but also requires additional investments in mechanical ventilation systems or air purifiers. Over time, this issue can become a significant cost factor while also impacting the overall comfort of your home.
Pitfall #4: Inconvenient Room Layouts
When a home isn’t designed with its environment in mind, it can result in inconvenient room layouts. You might find that bedrooms are placed in noisy or exposed areas, kitchens and living spaces get too hot in the summer, or entertaining spaces are isolated from outdoor views. These awkward layouts can diminish your enjoyment of the space and may require costly renovations to correct.
Pitfall #5: Higher Landscaping and Outdoor Maintenance Costs
Homes with improper placement may also struggle with landscaping issues. For example, incorrect positioning could leave certain areas of your property exposed to erosion, excessive sunlight, or flooding. Maintaining your outdoor spaces may require more effort, from installing additional drainage systems to reconfiguring your garden design for more shade or wind protection. These added landscaping and maintenance costs can eat into your budget over time.
Pitfall #6: Privacy Issues
A poorly oriented home may expose your living areas, bedrooms, or outdoor spaces to prying eyes from neighbours or the street. This lack of privacy can lead to a constant feeling of intrusion, causing discomfort. To remedy this, you may need to invest in expensive screening, fencing, or window treatments, adding to the overall cost of your home.
Make no mistake, getting the orientation of your home wrong can cause all sorts of issues.
So what’s the solution?
Here’s how we approach the orientation dilemma at Regional Home Builders:
Step 1: Expert Site Analysis: We overlay your house design onto the site plan, considering every detail from sun orientation to shading and potential livability issues.
Step 2: Custom Design and Orientation: We customise your home design for energy efficiency and natural light exposure. This approach minimises reliance on artificial heating and cooling, saving you money and ensuring comfort.
Step 3: Transparent Advice and Planning: Our expert advice prioritises the best design choices for your home. We focus on optimal living conditions over immediate client approval.
Unfortunately…
Not All Builders Take the Same Thoughtful Approach to Home Orientation
Many homeowners may not realise the importance of proper orientation for energy efficiency and comfort, which is why they rely on their builder’s expertise to guide them.
But here’s the problem: too many builders don’t provide that guidance and simply follow the initial layout without considering critical factors like sun exposure, natural ventilation, or energy efficiency.
Can you see why it’s critical to be fully informed when choosing a builder?
That’s why we’ve created this free guide, “Build with Confidence – 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home.”
It gives you all the insights needed before starting your project.
Download it today, and get ahead of the curve before embarking on your home-building journey.
Or schedule a free consultation to discuss the vision you have for your new home.
For more tips to help you navigate the complexities of home building, download our Free Guide
Build with Confidence – 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home
