Split Level Home Design Specialists in Perth

Split Level Home Designs

The best home builders can create the home you’re envisioning on the land you choose, no matter the terrain. At the same time, it’s not always practical to expand outwards. The solution? Stylish split-level homes that maximise available space and elevate your standard of living.

Split level home designs let you work with, not in spite of, a sloping block with layouts that offer more than just a smart way to build. In some cases, Western Australian building regulations place limits on cut and fill work that can be done, meaning that the best lot in a great location is limited on how it can be built on.

Split level homes overcome this while still keeping grading, lighting, privacy, and height in mind for enjoyable spaces.

When it comes to custom home designs that accommodate even the most challenging land, look no further than Portrait Custom Homes. We offer a complete portfolio of home designs and work with every homeowner to create truly bespoke houses that meet every requirement. The result is a split level home design that works for your family and with the landscape.

Call us on (08) 9317 8941 to chat about your build challenges or organise a FREE site visit to discover more about how our team can start the process of designing your dream home. 

What are the advantages of split level home designs?

The main motivating factor for considering a split level house is when builders or property owners face limitations or expenses with changing the slope of the land.

In order to get proper level ground with the right grading for drainage, build sites are often prepared before the foundation is laid. But when you have a sloping block, it can be cost prohibitive to cut into the land to level it out and add structures or retaining walls to push back the earth. What’s more, local Perth councils may restrict or prohibit cutting into the landscape as preservation takes prominence.

Split-level home designs in Perth allow our builders to work with the land, often building right on top or adjacent to steep slopes. This cuts down costs while also inviting creativity in design. Many of these floorplans have garage entry on different levels than entertaining and sleeping quarters. Some even include mid-level floors that bridge private and more open spaces. Subterranean or recessed levels can even benefit from natural climate control and protection from the elements.

In short, a split-level home allows you to enjoy lifestyle advantages no matter what obstacles you face.

Looking for inspiration? Check out our latest project gallery for finished homes and split-level ideas.

Do split-level homes take longer to build than other types?

Split level home construction can take a bit longer than other builds mainly due to the challenge presented by the land slope.

If your property has a more subtle slope, the time to build may be quite comparable to a standard single or double storey home.

But if you’re building into, or against, a high slope that requires a lot of foundation, drainage, and grading work, the time will be extended a bit. The size of the house itself will also affect the time to complete, with larger homes taking longer, of course. On average, you can expect a split level home build to take 12-17 months for the entire process.

How much does a split-level home cost to build?

Cost is usually a factor of the size of the home being built – and rightly so.

In Perth (and Western Australia generally), new home builds typically cost between $1,400 to $2,700 per square metre. With the average house sized at 186m2 in Australia, this places the total cost from $260,400 to $502,200.

Although a unique feature of a split level home is the lack of restrictions to single or double storey layouts, designing and building for upward sloping, downward sloping, and tri-level homes can add to the costs, with finished builds in some cases reaching $650,000.

Other factors that affect the cost of a split-level home design include:

• Foundation and land preparation
• Appliance and fixture quality
• Roofing, flooring, and siding
• Landscaping and outdoor spaces
• Custom build elements
• Energy efficiency
• Technology integrations

How to choose the right builder for a split level home

This is where expertise and portfolio become a major factor.

You want to choose a home builder that not only has a lot of experience with custom builds but who also has direct experience creating split level structures. These builds require a deep understanding of home architecture and how to integrate it with the landscape. No two sloping properties are ever the same. Builders need to understand the impact of their construction on the surrounding landscape and maintain compliance with local regulations.

Other questions that you can ask a potential builder include:

• “Do you have customer references that I can speak with?”
• “How many builds similar to mine have you done in Perth?”
• “What association and industry memberships do you have?”
• “Can I see proof of license and insurance to work with my property?”
• “How will you keep me updated throughout the build process?”
• “What assurances can you provide regarding staying on budget?”

Let Portrait Custom Homes create your next split level home

Split level home designs in Perth require creativity and finesse for a job done right. That’s why so many homeowners have turned to the pros at Portrait Custom Homes.

We have created innovative home designs, led by Rob Hyde, for over 20 years and counting. A chartered quantity surveyor, Rob gives incredible attention to detail to every customer and project to ensure only the highest quality of workmanship.

If you have a sloping block and want to build your dream home, call Portrait Custom Homes on (08) 9317 8941 to start the conversation and turn your idea into an innovative home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Split Level Home Designs in Perth

Do all split level home designs include large staircases?

Not necessarily.

If your home is designed on a more gentle slope, the number of stairs inside can be limited to just a few between levels. In fact, some split level homes are not even noticeable as such from the street in some designs. Even in cases where there is a bit more traffic between floors, your home designer can work with you to optimise the layout and keep compatible spaces near one another.

Do split-level homes lack privacy?

This is a common myth.

While some may think that having multiple levels closer together will limit privacy, a proper design will actually create more than you would have in a standard double storey build. Sleeping and entertaining spaces can be completely separated with the right layout considerations. And building into or along with the landscape can make use of the slope itself or retaining walls, giving you even more privacy in your outdoor spaces from the prying eyes of neighbors.

Does a split level home require less site preparation?

When it comes to home construction, your property always needs some amount of preparation or alteration.

To start with, the home’s foundation will need to be level and structurally accommodating to the floors above. Even when building into a slope, the slope itself may need slight modification, leveling, or cut in to take on the structure. However, these should be much less intrusive than attempting to level the entire property, which is often not allowed by most municipalities.

Retaining walls, grading, and leveling are all components that require a bit of land modification while still protecting the overall integrity of the landscape.

How worried should I be about drainage with a split level home?

Builders familiar with split level home design should be well versed in the importance of proper grading, soil retention, and drainage requirements.

Part of the construction process may include the installation of additional drain structures to ensure that the foundation remains stable and you and your family stay dry. Often, these homes are designed with the natural flow and shape of the land in mind, allowing the earth to continue to manage runoff without the structure interfering.