Understanding The Costs of Building a New Home

Building a new home is an exciting and monumental step, so you’ll want to have a good understanding of all the building costs involved. From the price of land and base construction cost to home upgrades and more, there are many moving parts to consider before starting your new home build.

So let’s break down all the elements that will contribute to the overall home building costs, as well as what you’ll get when you build your dream property with Brighton Homes.

Standard vs. Custom Builds

When planning your new house, you’ll need to decide between a standard build and a custom build – as the prices will vary quite significantly:

• Standard builds: A standard home build starts with a pre-designed floor plan that’s been drawn up by architects and created by home builders. Such homes are usually part of a builder's range of house designs and come with a set list of inclusions. Standard builds are more affordable because the designs have already been optimised for cost efficiency and functionality. The builder already has a clear process and suppliers for these homes, which further helps to reduce costs. You also may not be as affected by potential supply and trade shortages.
• Custom builds: A custom home build, on the other hand, is when you work with the builder to create a completely unique design. This could involve designing the floor plan from scratch, choosing from a huge range of custom materials and adding features you’ve always wanted in a property. Custom builds give you complete control and personalisation, but that comes at quite a higher cost due to the unique nature of the project, more complex planning and potentially longer build times.

In general, a custom dream home will cost more because it requires much more detailed planning and construction, while a standard house design is the more affordable option thanks to its predefined designs and set list of inclusions. However, some builders like Brighton Homes give you the perfect balance between the two – with a house package that gives you the chance to add personal touches on our suite of exceptional home designs, to suit your lifestyle and tastes.

The Average Cost of Land in Brisbane 

Before you can even begin thinking about construction or calculating the total new home cost, you’ll need to buy land for the actual building site. Land prices are vastly different across the country, with most major capital cities seeing rising costs across the board. In Brisbane, for example, the average cost of land is $970 per square metre. However, if you're willing to look further out, prices for land can be much lower:

• Ipswich: $507 per square metre
• Logan: $523 per square metre
• Moreton Bay: $629 per square metre
• Gold Coast: $709 per square metre
• Redlands: $741 per square metre

Land prices will likely take up a big chunk of your overall building budget, so you’ll want to factor these costs into your planning process from the very start. If you're working with a fixed budget, you might have to consider locations beyond the CBD and inner suburbs in order to get as much value for your money as possible.
 

Explore the best neighbourhoods in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and Brisbane. 
Plus, weigh the pros and cons of city vs. suburban living.

The Average Cost of Building a Home in Brisbane

When it comes to the actual construction of your home, the cost per square metre will depend on the level of finish and the complexity of the design. You will also have to factor in building site costs, such as the slab, soil testing, surveying and more.

On average, you can expect to pay between $2,600 and $4,650 per square metre to build a new house in Brisbane. But remember this cost doesn’t include the land – just the construction of the home itself.  

At the lower end, you’ll get a more basic, standard design with fewer upgrades and personalisations. Whereas at the higher end of the scale, you can expect a more luxurious home with higher-end finishes and features.
 

What’s Included in the Base Price of a Brighton Home?

The base price of a Brighton Home covers a huge range of high-quality inclusions that will deliver an incredibly stylish and functional home. Just some of the essential elements that come with your home at no additional cost include:

• TRUECORE® Steel Framing, for long-lasting structural integrity.
• Colorbond roofing, an incredibly durable material that delivers contemporary charm.
• Flooring, including a choice of tiling throughout your entry and living areas, as well as luscious carpet through all bedrooms, entertainment rooms, home offices and more.
• Ducted air conditioning, which is a must for Queensland’s hot summers.
• Caesarstone benchtop in a choice of colours in the MyChoice Design Studio.
• Bathroom fixtures and fittings that will stand the test of time.
• Internal painting in your choice of more than 100 colours.
• High ceilings at a soaring 2440mm.

There really are so many more inclusions to marvel at. So for more detailed information about Brighton Homes inclusions, you can read our Ultimate Guide to Brighton Homes Inclusions.

Factors That Affect Home Build Costs in Queensland

Site

The location and condition of your block of land can greatly influence the total construction costs of your home, including:

• Land layout: Blocks that are sloped or have irregular shapes might require split-level designs for a two storey house, or more site preparation, which can increase the final price.
• Soil quality: If the soil is unstable or unsuitable for building, extra site preparation might be needed.
• Land registration: Newly developed land might come with land registration fees, adding to your site costs.
• Road closures: If your land is located in a busy or difficult-to-access area, there could be unexpected expenses due to road closures and temporary site set-ups that are needed.

Design

The size and design of your home will also play a role in finalising your expected costs. Larger homes with more complex layouts will naturally cost more to build than smaller, simpler designs.

• Single vs. double-storey: A double-storey home will usually cost more due to the additional labour, materials and challenges involved in the build. However, it can give you much more living space on a smaller block.
• House size: The bigger the house, the more expensive the build. You’ll need more materials and labour, and higher utility costs could also factor in post-construction.

Materials and Finishes

If you want high quality materials and finishes for your home, you can expect to pay a premium compared to standard products:

• Standard or budget materials like laminate benchtops and tile flooring are usually more affordable.
• Premium materials such as stone benchtops and timber floors can greatly increase your costs but offer a more luxurious finish. At Brighton Homes, one of our base inclusions is an eye-catching Caesarstone benchtop in your kitchen.

Personalisation

While customisation can add to your costs, Brighton Homes allows for a number of personalisation options will let you adapt your chosen design to better suit your lifestyle – without extra costs eating into your budget. Personalising areas like the kitchen, bathroom and outdoor living space can help make your dream home a reality.

Popular Home Upgrade Costs

If you're thinking about upgrading certain features of your home, here are some common home upgrades and their average costs:  

Kitchen

• Upgraded cabinetry: From $2,000–$5,000 depending on materials and size.
• Premium benchtops: $3,000–$8,000 depending on the size and type of stone.

Bathroom

• Freestanding bath: From $1,500–$3,500.
• Upgraded shower fixtures: From $800–$2,000.

Flooring

• Timber flooring: $100–$150 per square metre.
• Premium tiles: $80–$200 per square metre.

Window Treatments

• Fly screens: $500–$1,500 depending on the number of windows.
• Curtains or blinds: $3,000–$8,000 depending on materials and size of windows.

Outdoor Living

• Landscaping: $5,000–$20,000 depending on the scope of the project.
• Driveways: $5,000–$12,000 depending on size and material.

Other Hidden Costs to Be Aware Of

• Stamp duty: A tax levied on the purchase of land.
• Building insurance: Necessary to protect against damage or defects during construction. Ask your builder about it when negotiating the building contract.
• Conveyancing fees: Legal fees attached to transferring the ownership of land.
• Fencing and driveways: Many home builders don’t include fencing and/or driveways in the base price.
• Construction delays: Delays can result in increased labour and holding costs, for which you might need to take out a construction loan.

How To Help Keep Your Construction Costs Down

Here are some tips to manage your budget and keep your construction costs under control:

Consider a House and Land Package

House and land packages give you excellent value for money as builders tend to bundle deals together. You also don’t have to foot the bill for additional costs associated with land preparation or sourcing land separately.

Get a Fixed Price

A fixed-price contract means you won’t be hit with unexpected costs once the build begins. Discuss this option with your builder to avoid budget blowouts or the need for extra construction loans.

Go Personalised Rather than Custom

Brighton Homes has a range of personalisation options within our standard builds to help make the home your own without drastically increasing the price.

Apply for Government Grants

Look into any government grants or concessions you might be eligible for. The First Home Owner Grant, for example, can give you a major financial boost when building a new home in Queensland.

Check Out Builder Promotions and Offers

Many builders, including Brighton Homes, will run promotions throughout the year. Everything from free upgrades to discounted inclusions could be up for grabs, so keep an eye out.

Choose the Right Home Builder

Look for a builder with a solid reputation, transparent pricing and a track record for delivering homes on-time and on-budget.

Avoid Making Changes Once Building Commences

Making changes to your design after construction has begun can be expensive and time-consuming. Finalise all decisions early in the process to avoid additional costs or potential supply chain issues.

Conclusion

The costs of building a new home can be substantial – but wrapping your head around them early will help you build a robust budget and avoid unexpected financial surprises.
If you’re ready to work with a reputable builder with an incredible range of home designs or want to learn more about Brighton Home's prices and luxury home upgrades, contact our friendly team today and together we’ll start building the home of your dreams.