How much does it cost to build a house in Brisbane?

Based on the average Queensland house size of 226.1sqm, building a new home could cost anywhere from $633,080 to $1,119,195.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Picture: Getty

Cost of building a house in Brisbane

One of the biggest factors in destemming the cost of a new house build is the number of bedrooms incorporated into the home design as prices are calculated on a per square metre basis.

A two bedroom house build in Brisbane will cost between $336,000 and $594,000, based on an average two-bedroom home size of 120sqm.

This house size is close to almost half the size of an average Queensland new build of 226.1sqm, and in today’s market it is now relatively uncommon to build a freestanding house of this size.

Building a three-bedroom house in Brisbane will come with a price tag of anywhere from $490,000 to $866,250.

This is calculated based on an average size of a three bedroom Brisbane home of 175sqm.

It is important to bear in mind that the quality of materials, fittings and the level of customisation used will alter final costs.

Embarking on a four bedroom house build in Brisbane will likely cost between $728,000 and $1,287,000, based on an average house size of 260sqm.

Most new builds in Brisbane tend to be a four bedroom, two bathroom residence.

A five-bedroom home build will cost on average, $840,000 to $1,4850,000.

Cost of building a single storey or two-storey home in Brisbane

A single level Brisbane home build with four bedrooms will cost between $728,000 and $1,287,000.

The addition of a second storey will cost as much as an additional $1000 per square metre in comparison to a single storey home, according to Rebeka Morgan of BuildHer.

For example, a four-bedroom two storey house, could cost as much as $260,000 more to make it a two-storey home compared with a one storey home.

The higher price is due to additional external work such as scaffolding, staircases, and more complex trades are required, Ms Morgan said.

“While that could add up to an extra $1000 per square metre, it all depends on how it's designed.

“When we add a second storey, additional external work becomes more complex. Scaffolding is required, and tradespeople need to work at height, which adds to labor costs. Staircases and more intricate structural elements also contribute to the expense.”

Other factors that impact the cost of building a home in Brisbane

Land costs, finishing’s, delays, land size and site works are among the factors that can impact the cost of a Brisbane home build.

Finishings you select

This is a big factor in the final build cost and will have a greater impact on the cost of building a home than any other factor, Ms Morgan said.

“There's a higher expectation now for inclusions in every room. A bedroom used to be just plasterboard walls with a light fitting. Now, people want fancy curtains, bed heads, and bespoke joinery.

“Each of these extra elements adds complexity and cost,” she said.

The size of the floorplan

The larger the floorplan, the more materials needed and hence the bigger the cost.

The average size of a new house in Brisbane is 226.1sqm – that is more than the average Australian new home size of 195.8sqm, according to a Commsec report.

Using an architect or project builder

Custom designed homes, or one off designs, created by an architect are more expensive than a project home.

“There's a massive price difference between project homes and bespoke homes,” Ms Morgan said. “Project homes benefit from efficiencies—they're rolling out floor plans designed and tested numerous times.”

“This makes them much cheaper than anything a builder could do bespoke, where you're engaging each party for a one-off build.”

The state of your build site

A site which is hard to access, or sloped can make your new home build a challenge.

It will not only hinder the builder’s ability to get machinery on site, bit will also impact what materials you can use.

“Different types of structures have different cost weightings,” Morgan said.

“You want to be looking at off-the-shelf or less labor-intensive materials – like lightweight cladding for interiors, timber stumps, and waffle slabs instead of full concrete slabs – if appropriate. Sites are different, and you need to choose materials that suit the site's conditions.”

Weather or trade delays

These can see the timeframe of a new home build blow out.

 And while Ms Morgan says delays aren’t inevitable, having a realistic timeframe and understanding how the project works is crucial.

Planning and development costs

Local councils typically determine the development fees and will usually add thousands of dollars to the cost of a new house build.

Stamp duty

In Queensland, stamp duty is more expensive for an established home than for vacant land.

If you buy land to build on, you’ll only pay stamp duty on the land, not on the dwelling. If you buy an established home, stamp duty is owed for the full amount.

For example, if you were to buy a new home in Brisbane valued at $1.2 million as your main residence, you would usually pay stamp duty of $42,350, including the Home Concession.

However, if you bought a block of land for $450,000 to build a $750,000 home (total being $1.2 million), your stamp duty would be $14,175.

Government incentives and grants for new homes

There are several different grants, concessions and incentives for building a new home in Brisbane.

Stamp duty concession

In Queensland, these categories of buyers receive concessions or exemptions including:

• First home buyers who purchase a home valued less than $800,000. First home buyers pay no stamp duty at all on homes valued up to $650,000 and a reduced rate between $650,000 and $800,000.
• First home buyers purchasing vacant land. Eligible first home buyers are not required to stamp duty on vacant land valued up to $350,000 and a reduced rate of duty for properties valued between $350,000 and $500,000.

First Home Owner Grant

Those who choose to build rather than buy and established home could be entitled to other grants, including the boosted First Home Owner Grant.

Those buying or building a new home, could be eligible for $30,000 for contracts signed between November 20, 2023 to June 30, 2025.

After 30 June 2025, the grant amount will be $15,000.

First Home Vacant Land Concession

Up to $10,675 can be discounted on the amount of transfer duty you need to pay for eligible first home buyers who buy vacant land.

To be eligible, the value of land must be less than $500,000 for a concession, and less than $350,000 for a full exemption.

You must earn less than $125,000 as an individual or $200,000 as a couple.