A sloping block isn’t simply a problem to solve, it’s an opportunity to secure a site with elevation, outlook, and architectural potential that flat blocks can’t easily match. But the same features that make these sites appealing are also what make them technically demanding.
Steeper gradients introduce structural complexity, change how homes interact with the land, and often require design decisions that can’t be resolved with a standard single-level floorplan. This is usually the moment buyers discover the difference between a volume builder that can build on a slope, and a specialist who designs for one from the outset.
The overarching theme, then, is capability. How a builder approaches a sloping block has direct implications for cost accuracy, usability of the site, council approvals, and the long-term quality of the home.
For households purchasing in Melbourne’s outer east, hilly pockets of the southeast, or regional areas like Drouin, Warragul, Ballarat or Geelong, where topography is a given, choosing the right builder becomes part of safeguarding the value of the land itself.
Below, we outline a selection of Victorian builders with demonstrated experience in this space.
Davidson Building Group
Established 1972 | ~40 homes per year | Melbourne East, South East, Drouin/Warragul
Services: Custom homes, knockdown rebuild, townhouses, sloping block/split-level homes
Davidson Building Group brings more than four decades of experience to sites that require highly considered design responses. Their approach is built around transparency and close client involvement, important for buyers navigating the added complexity of contour-driven layouts and engineering decisions.
With a strong presence across Melbourne’s hillier eastern and southeastern corridors, the builder’s capability is well-suited to blocks where gradients are a defining feature rather than an inconvenience. Their long-term trade relationships and rigorous inspection processes also support the level of detail sloping sites typically demand.
5AB Homes
Established 2015 | 400+ homes per year | Metro North, East, West, Geelong, Ballarat
Services: Acreage designs, custom homes, house & land, pre-designed floorplans, sloping block/split-level homes
While known for scale,
5AB Homes also provides split-level solutions across a wide geographic footprint, including regional markets where topography is common. Their strength lies in adaptability, shaping pre-designed or custom plans to suit the terrain rather than forcing the land to fit a design.
Their emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency further benefits sloping blocks, where orientation and height differentials can significantly influence thermal performance.
Long Island Homes
Established 2007 | ~200 homes per year | Western Melbourne & Geelong
Services: Custom homes, house & land, knockdown rebuild, sloping block/split-level homes
Long Island Homes holds a steady presence in western Melbourne and Geelong, regions with pockets of elevated land and uneven terrain. Their offering includes both custom design and adaptable pre-designed options, allowing buyers to take advantage of views or challenging gradients.
For households wanting the efficiency of familiar floorplans with modifications rather than a fully bespoke build, this builder provides a middle ground between customisation and predictability.
Eight Homes
Established 2012 | ~500 homes per year
Services: House & land, knockdown rebuild, pre-designed floorplans, sloping block/split-level homes
Eight Homes’ structured design approach, offering curated selections rather than overwhelming buyers with choices, can be particularly useful for those building on sloping blocks for the first time. Their emphasis on simplifying the process, paired with a transparent communication model, supports buyers navigating additional engineering and design layers.
Notably, their award-recognised construction quality signals consistency, even when projects move beyond standard flat-block builds.
Omnia Homes
Melbourne-based builder | Custom + pre-designed homes
Services: Custom homes, house & land, knockdown rebuild, sloping block/split-level homes
Omnia Homes focuses heavily on bespoke design, making them well-suited to blocks that require a ground-up response. Their process prioritises early-stage planning, detailed quoting, and architectural flexibility, all crucial for sloping sites where cost variables can escalate without careful upfront work.
With an emphasis on craftsmanship and sustainability, Omnia offers an option for buyers wanting full control over how their home interacts with the site, rather than modifying an existing template.
The bottom line for buyers
A sloping block can unlock design outcomes that flat sites rarely offer, split-level living, under-croft garages, elevated entertaining zones, and enhanced privacy. But realising those benefits depends entirely on selecting a builder with genuine capability, not just willingness, to handle the terrain.
For Victorian buyers, the decision shouldn’t start with façade styles or inclusions. It should begin with one question: Which builder understands this land, and can I trust them to design around it rather than despite it?
Ultimately, the best choice will depend on the slope, the budget, and how much design control a household wants over their future home.
Publisher Website: www.homeshelf.com.au