How much to build a house?

How much does it cost to build a house in Australia? Depending where you live, the average cost to build a house will generally range between $1,500 and $3,000 per square metre, but can be much higher.

Recent data suggest that a single-storey home of about 150m2 can cost anywhere between $225,000 to $500,000 to build. In this guide to house building costs, we explore:

• What factors affect the cost to build a house
• Cost to build a house per m2
• How long it takes to build a house
• Getting house building quotes, and more.

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How much does it cost to build a house per square metre?

How much is it to build a house? Building costs per m2 in Australia currently range between $1,500 and $3,000, or more, per square metre.

According to new data from Rider Levett Bucknall, the cost to build a house in Sydney is at the higher end of the scale, with estimates of up to $6,400 per m2, while Adelaide and Darwin offer more affordable new house build prices. Perth house build prices start from $2,200 per m2.

• Cost to build a house Sydney: $2,100 to $6,400 per m2
• Cost to build a house Melbourne: $2,000 to $4,300 per m2
• Cost to build a house Brisbane: $2,500 to $4,500 per m2
• Cost to build a house Adelaide: $1,740 to $3,800 per m2
• Cost to build a house Darwin: $1,900 to $2,950 per m2
• Cost to build a house Perth: $2,200 to $4,100 per m2

The cost to build a new home will be much higher for an architecturally designed home than a basic build that starts from $1,500 per square metre. For a high-end home, you can expect to pay more along the lines of $4,000 to upwards of $6,000 per square metre.

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How much does it cost to build a 3 bedroom house in Australia?

New house pricing to build a 3 bedroom house on a standard home build of around 150 to 170m2 will usually start from $225,000. This will be for a basic, budget-style home. A standard home build will see prices starting from $250,000, while a higher end home starts from $300,000.

For a turnkey package, you can expect to pay an additional $18,000 to $22,000, depending on the style of your home. Another storey can add an extra $100,000 to $120,000 to your total build cost.

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How much does it cost to build a 4 bedroom house in Australia?

The average cost to build a 4 bedroom house starts from $230,000 for a basic build, from $285,000 for a standard build, and from $350,000 for a premium build. A turnkey package is usually an additional $20,000 to $25,000 to the build home price.

Factors affecting the cost of building a new house

The cost to build a new home will depend on a range of different factors. This includes:

• Size of the home your building
• Construction type (timber frame, brick veneer, etc)
• Number of storeys
• Materials, finishes and accessories you choose
• Ease of access to the property
• Whether construction is on a slope
• The builder you choose
• If the home is a custom build project or volume-built.

For instance, a three-bedroom single-storey weatherboard home could cost between $1,440 and $1,993 per square metre, but the same home built with brick instead could cost between $1,600 and $2,120 per square metre. An additional storey on the home could add a further 5 to 10 per cent to the estimate.

When it comes to building a new home and the cost, you can expect 40 to 45% of the total cost to build to be reserved for materials alone. The cost of labour is usually 35 to 40% of the total amount, but you will also need to factor in taxes and charges, overheads, insurance and the builders profit margin of about 15 to 20%.

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COVID-19 and rising house building costs

Building a new home costs a lot of money, but since the pandemic these costs have been rising exponentially. Experts have said that the cost to build has risen faster than inflation.

Due to the pandemic, a range of factors such as exchange rate volatility, supply chain issues and worker shortages saw construction costs increasing and caused project timeline extensions.

The good news for home builders is that 2024 is set to see construction costs start to stabilise with a gradual ease of material prices, such as steel and timber.

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How long does it take to build a house?

Pre-pandemic, a new house build could be complete within as little as six months. In 2024, a new build that might have taken six to eight months, will likely take 9 to 12 months for completion. The actual amount of time it will take to build a house will depend on several factors, such as the size of the home, weather, market conditions, and so forth.

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How to choose a house builder and get quotes

Hiring a builder is an important task for your house building project. There are many builders to choose from but having a reputable and reliable builder makes a massive difference to your experience.

Still wondering how much does it cost to build a house? When searching for and comparing building quotes, make sure to ask a lot of questions. This will help you choose the right builder for your home. Remember to ask these questions:

• Are they licensed?
• Do they have public liability insurance and professional indemnity?
• Can they provide a list of references for you to check?
• Will they offer a written quote?
• Do they have experience with your type of project?
• How long will the house build take?
• When will they be available to start?

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It’s best to have a good indication of the costs for materials and have your house plans ready before you seek quotes from local builders. Being prepared with the information they need will ensure you receive accurate quotes.

With Yellow Pages, you can compare multiple free quotes from top local builders. Once settled on your builder, it’s required by law to sign a contract in order to protect both parties.

Ensure your contract covers:

• The full scope of works
• Total contract price and costs of the project
• How long the build will take
• When payments are due, and
• The process for if there is a dispute.

Different contract types suit different personal circumstances. You will be able to opt for either a standard, cost plus or fixed/lump sum contract.

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*All costs and prices quoted were sourced at the time this building cost guide was written and should only be used as an estimate.