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Hi,
I am planning to start construction on my plot which is at a lower level. It is not that only my plot is at a lower level, but my whole surrounding area is at a lower level, compared to other adjacent areas. I am looking for suggestions from people on whether I should construct the house at a higher level by raising the level of the ground floor. I do not want to construct a basement nor do I want to have only the car park having only pillars on the ground floor.

Can I just raise the ground floor to say 5 ft by putting some land fill and provide a few steps? It is a good idea? May be I need to spend money in purchasing mud/quarry dust to fill.

Please suggest.
Thanks in advance.
Karthik

Hi Karthink,

I am in the process of getting my house built and here are my comments (please note I am not an expert):
You can raise the plinth level to 5 feet but following are the disadvantages:
You would have to build a retaining wall all around the raised level which may work out quite expensive. You would also need steps to get on to the ground (think of the back door entry as well).

So unless there are chances of flooding you are better off having a normal plinth level of about 2-3 feet.

Hi,
Thanks for the input. Yes as you have pointed out, the retaining wall and the entry from the back also will cost me a lot.
Karthik

My site at the back is 10 ft below the ground level and it sloping from 0 ft at the road side to 10 ft at the back. I ended up buillding a RCC retaining wall that costs a bomb. You can also try SSM retaining wall if your structural engineer approves that. that may be less expensive.