Don’t rush. You need to experience the site now and in summer so you can get a handle on winds and views.
Set up a temp campsite and move it around to experience the site.

In terms of house if it’s sloping a long house running across the slope works best so look at those types of homes and get an idea of size. Then talk to some local builders first to find about about foundation types and building costs and timeframes.

Consider where services come into the block or would need to be put e.g septic tank and how you will get driveway access. You can start some planting this spring, get a local Gardner or landscaper to help you start around the driveway.

Think about how you will use the site - paddocks or yards for animals, crops etc.

A boundary survey to ensure fences are in right spot plus a condition survey can be done now to fix those areas if they haven’t already.
Take the next 12 months to plan and be ready to dig next spring.
Good luck.

Hi T Whit,

Firstly, congratulations. How lovely to have 10 acres and a view! Also really glad that you are taking the sensible approach and aren't rushing into anything. Perhaps the best place to start is finding an architect or building designer with whom to work through your ideas and come up with a concept. Whether you engage an architect or building designer really depends on three things: your budget, the size of your project and, probably the most important thing, finding a professional person with whom you feel comfortable working. The whole process will always run more smoothly when a good working relationship is established. Once you have a plan you are happy with, it may also make sense to engage an interior designer to look it over prior to submitting to council or beginning construction, to see whether the flow of the internal design is optimal and where any adjustments might be made. Once you have council approval, it's costly and time-consuming to make significant changes as you'll then need to re-submit the plans. An interior designer can also help with exterior colours and finishes, selection of all the internal finishes, lighting, fixtures & fittings and would be able to provide detailed design of kitchens, bathrooms, built-in joinery etc. which trades will need. There are so many details to consider in any building project, so best to have as much of it as possible worked out before the project gets underway. Having said that, it's also an "organic" process and your ideas and tastes may well change during the design process, so it's good to have people you can trust on board to help with important decision-making and to workshop ideas. Best of luck with your project!

including all the previous suggestions check with Council about Fire restrictions to be sure about how far the building has to be from the trees and/or plan to lose some of trees, have soil tested to identify suitable site for septic tank, include enough space for house, courtyard gardens and covered walkways between house and garages to create sheltered areas around the house, include space for water tanks and sheds and then plan all weather access road and generous parking before you start needing cement and other heavy vehicle delivery trucks... plan landscaping as part of the site preparation as earthworks will need to be done for all concrete slabs, water tanks, septic tanks, driveways and parking areas and done early can be more economical and make all following tasks much easier and consider reverse brick veneer for solar passive design and easy construction and remember that a house on ten acres shouldn't be the same as a house in the suburbs

Building on a 10 acre property is very different to building on a suburban block. A large part of your budget will need to be allocated for services and access. If you decide to live off-grid (to avoid the cost of electrical connection) then you will need to spend on PV panels and batteries upfront. If you decide to live in the centre of your ten acres you need to allow for a long driveway which will be an upfront cost for builders access. Research on how much water supply and septic systems cost.

Don't start planning your home until you have a realistic grasp of how much these services will cost with your soil conditions.Depending on the amount of bushland you may also need to take into account Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL) whihch will influence your choice of external materials and window specification which will affect your budget.

Mid-century modern inspired, semi-rural, country home. · More Info

All of these factors combine to influence the siting of your home. You have a special opportunity so please don't go around the display home villages looking for ideas, as you will end up with a suburban house in a rural location.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

excluding the usual costs with a suburban house our current construction of a 70sqm holiday house on a 25 acre bush block so far includes about $11,000 for earthworks and gravel to upgrade existing driveway, add a parking area, level house and water tank sites, extra $5000 for underground concrete piers to support floor slab on sloping site, $6000 for fire shutters, $10,000 for water tanks Including water pump, filters and purchased water for installation, $5000 for air sourced water heater, $11,000 for septic tank including a $9000 hole, extra time costs added to all tradies and deliveries for distance travelled from town, installation of satellite phone and internet with ongoing costs.. luckily we already had on site electricity and a big shed for on site secure storage and the cost of optional solar panels and batteries are yet to be determined, $900 for farm and building insurance during construction, soil tests $2000, Council DA and septic tanks fees $2000 (NB would be much more for a family home) potential BASIX assessment costs plus owner builder fees for training, certificate and permit $400... we're very pleased with our cosy little cottage based on a custom designed A1 steel shed but would recommend including internal brick walls for better passive design for a family home

Hello T Whit. It sounds like you have an amazing opportunity ahead of you. All the previous posts contain gems of good information. There will no doubt be more forthcoming and it could become a bit overwhelming as you say you have never built a house before.

As a "newbie" you will have little to go by in terms of what to expect across the board. Add to that the extra considerations around acreage property and it seems to me like you would do well to seek help from a design professional sooner rather than later.

You are not in a rush which is great. Take some time to check out designers with experience in the locality. Interview a few to see if anyone in particular stands out as having ideas and personality that resonates with you.

When you feel you have found the right designer to guide you, then you can start to negotiate fees and services with them. Start with looking for the right match, then talk about costs. A good designer will add more value to your project than the cost of the fees they charge.

OOHH Oklouise

Thank you for sharing all that string of cost involved with "Getting away from it all"! So $54K + - before the cost of the building itself! Is that correct? Amazing to have it listed like that. It should surely give lots of folks a really good idea of not just the costs involved but the range of items they need to think about too.

Cheers Margot

Congrats OP. As has been mentioned aspect is very, very important. Getting the orientation right will result in an energy efficient, light, comfortable home, that is warmer in winter, cooler in summer.

You're lucky to have a large block, so the orientation of your home shouldn't be compromised. Which ways do your views face?

Educate yourself about this, so you can work with professionals, not just rely on their input.

The perfect place to start is this brilliant government website. I'd recommend reading it all!

http://yourhome.gov.au/passive-design