How to Build on a Sloping Site

designing a home on a sloping site
(Image credit: /o Roderick James Architects / The Gitcombe Estate; photographer Matthew Heritage)

A sloping site can be one of the reasons you discount a plot to build your dream home on. But, although it can be challenging, complex and therefore add costs to the project, it can be well worth it. The end result? A stunning and interesting home that uses the sloping site to its advantage.  

But what do you need to consider if you choose a sloping site for your self build? From the costs to the construction; from drainage to design — here's a look at what you need to think about before the project begins.

Mark Brinkley

Mark is the author of the ever-popular Housebuilder’s Bible and an experienced builder. The Housebuilder’s Bible is the go-to hardback for self builders; originally published in 1994, it is updated every two years with up-to-date build costs and information on planning and building regulations, and is currently in its 14th reiteration.


He has written for publications such as Homebuilding & Renovating for over three decades. An experienced self builder, his latest self build, a contemporary eco home built to Passivhaus principles, was created on a tight urban brownfield plot.