Details about garden gradient and boundary walls height

giallo

Hi all,

I'm about to buy a new-build house which hasn't been fully built yet (EA said that it'll be ready in late October this year). I have been to the site and viewed some show houses. I've noticed that some gardens have a raising slope which results in a raised 2m boundary wall (the one in front of the back of the house). Due to that raising slope, the overall height of that wall from the ground level of the living area is quite a lot (I guess about 3m total, 1m of slope + 2m of wall).

I'm not sure if the garden of my property would have a gradient. What I know is that when I left a refundable booking deposit there was a small print stating that some properties might have a gradient in the garden and the construction company can't do much. The agent reassured me that the terrain there is quite flat, so nothing to be worried. But those are just their words...

I had a couple of questions:

1. what can I do to get more information about the plot of my soon-to-be garden, whether it'll have a slope and how much gradient. The garden is not so deep, so I'm worried to feel like in a basement if the boundary walls are too high and at the top of a raising slope. I've contacted the EA but radio silence for now. Should I ask my solicitor?
2. if it's normal to sign a contract without even having a chance to go to the site and walk through the plot of the property even if the construction works are not complete yet

Sorry for the rant!

blackbox

Can you not visit the site to assess the gradient for yourself?

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058290945/details-about-garden-gradient-and-boundary-walls-height

1. Ask your solicitor to get confirmation of the site gradient and also confirmation that the heights of walls are in compliance with the planning permission granted for the development.
2. You should NOT sign any contract until you have visited/inspected both the house and its surrounds.