Questions About Building on a Slope
What owners ask before a hillside job, and a few things flat-lot jobs share with it.
The lot and the structure
We walk it, measure the grade, look at existing walls and footings and read any soils report on file. If there is no report and the job needs one, we say so in the scope.
A caisson is a drilled concrete pier that reaches firm soil or rock below the surface. It is used when the ground near the top cannot carry a deck, an addition or a house on its own.
Sometimes. If it is plumb, drains and carries no new load, it may stay. If it leans, cracks or will hold up new work, it is assessed by an engineer before we build near it.
Permits and engineering
We prepare and submit the drawings and calculations with you as the owner, and we schedule the inspections. You sign where the city asks for the owner.
Many hillside jobs do, especially new footings, grading or walls. The city or the engineer decides. We tell you early so it is in the budget and the schedule.
In mapped fire hazard areas, California sets rules for roofs, vents, siding, decks and glazing. We check the parcel and build to the rules that apply to it.
Price and process
So the cost of each part is visible. On a slope the structure and access can be a large share of the cost, and a single total hides that.
Only one: the ADU plans package, shown on the ADU page. Everything else is priced after we see the lot, because the ground changes the cost.
A builder reads it and contacts you by phone or email to arrange a visit. Nothing is scheduled or charged until you agree to it.
Ask about your own lot
The answers above are general. Send the address and the job, and we will answer for your site.