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

The cost of constructing a house in Adelaide fluctuates based on aspects such as the materials and the labor fee of home builders, but on average, building a home in Adelaide ranges from $1,800 to $4,000 per square meter, totaling around $330,000.

If that seems too much for you, consider the cost of buying a house vs building one.

How much does it cost to build a three-bedroom house in Adelaide?

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Constructing a three-bedroom house in Adelaide typically costs around $1,300 per square meter, while higher-end finishes might cost you $1,600 to $1,900 per square meter.

Given the data above, expect a total cost of around $261,000 to $889,200.

You also have to remember that the house and material type will influence the budget you need. A three-bedroom weatherboard house on a level block will cost less than a three-bedroom full-brick, single-level home with premium-grade materials.

How much does it cost to build a four-bedroom house in Adelaide?

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In Adelaide, a typical four-bedroom brick veneer, single-level project home costs around $2,400 per square meter. This includes mid-range finishes and elements on a level block.

If you opt for an architect-designed four-bedroom full-brick, two-level home with superior features, it can exceed $3,900 per square meter.

The total cost will be around $388,020 to $1,000,000.

How much does a five-bedroom house with a second story cost in Adelaide?

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A two-story, five-bedroom house in Adelaide will set you back around $4,300 per square meter, while a second-story extension will run between $1,850 to $3,300, with general construction materials and inclusions as the factors greatly influencing the expense rate.

The total cost typically ranges from $956,110 to $1,145,231.

To avoid mistakes, note that the construction fees of a five-bedroom house will generally look like this: 50% for materials, 35% for labor, and 15% for administrative costs or bureaucratic processes.

How do global supply chain issues affect home building in Australia?

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Issues concerning global supply chains are negatively impacting the Australian construction industry, leading to soaring construction material costs.

Timber prices have surged by 2 to 40%, reinforced steel by 40%, and plastic piping by 26%.

Multiple factors affect the skyrocketing prices, but events like the Russia/Ukraine war, past COVID-19 restrictions, border closures, and a global and national labor shortage, are the primary reasons.

What are the average house construction costs by state in Australia?

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Residential Attitudes reports that South Australia’s average house construction cost is $275,000. Tasmania follows closely with an average of $285,000, while Queensland and Western Australia have average costs of $289,000 and $298,000, respectively.

Victoria and New South Wales have higher average costs at $327,000 and $349,000, while the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are the most expensive, with average costs of $365,000 and $440,000, respectively.

Factors Affecting House Prices in Adelaide

Build Size

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Unsurprisingly, houses in Adelaide with larger builds necessitate more materials, specialized equipment, and additional labor, potentially leading to higher price tags.

If you need a baseline for estimation, remember that Australian homes typically have an average size of around 200 square meters.

Labor

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As mentioned above, labor expenses typically constitute approximately 35% of the overall expenditure you’ll incur for building a home in Adelaide.

However, this percentage can increase to about 40% or more, depending on the skilled laborer’s availability and your home’s location.

Bushfire Attack Level

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Building your home in a bushfire-prone area will cost you extra money, as you must meet Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) standards, generally costing around $1,000.

In addition to this payment, you must also prepare at least $500 for the BAL assessment. The final fee will depend on your house’s location, so we recommend contacting the departments below for more details on the processes and expenses.

  1. Planning and Building Assessment Recovery Unit (DPTI)
  • Level 5, 50 Flinders Street, Adelaide
  • Contact Details: 08 7109 7060
  • Email: [email protected]
  1. SA Country Fire Service
  • Level 7, 60 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
  • Contact Details: (08) 8115 3300

Design and Construction Type

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In Adelaide, the choice between an architect’s custom-designed home and a project home can result in significant price variations, with custom-designed homes often being more costly and project homes generally being cheaper.

You must also note that the construction type significantly influences costs. Timber frame constructions tend to be the least expensive option, followed by brick veneer, while double-skin brick constructions are typically the most costly.

Material Quality

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The quality of materials your Adelaide home features will have a substantial influence on your expenses. For example, opting for higher-end materials like granite countertops or custom cabinets will increase expenses compared to more standard materials.

Similarly, selecting other premium options such as hardwood, marble, or windows with energy-efficient features can elevate costs compared to alternatives like laminate, ceramic tiles, or regular single-pane windows.

Soil Quality

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According to Stroud Homes, there are six soil classifications, ranging from Class A to E, that you should know before building a home in Adelaide or Australia in general.

Higher classifications may lead to more complex and costly construction processes. For instance, building on Extreme (E) soil can add approximately $20,000 to the cost of constructing a standard 250-square-meter home compared to Moderate (M) soil.

Electrical

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In Adelaide, altering the initial lighting layout specified in the contract can incur additional costs, particularly if you opt for upgrades like multiple downlights instead of standard lighting.

As for fees, you should generally budget between $3000 and $13000. This payment covers phases such as planning, electrical rough-in (or the installation phase), and appliance connection.

Slope

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If you want to save money when building a home in Adelaide, pick a flat block that is easier to build on, as sloping blocks will incur additional costs for extra foundations, site leveling, and possibly retaining walls.

Moreover, remember that the Lofty Building Group claims that severe slopes can add upwards of $6,000 per meter, with provisional sums potentially exceeding $10,000.

Accessibility and Flood Proneness

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Properties in Adelaide situated in inaccessible areas, like locations with severe slopes, tight corners, or near water bodies, usually require additional fees to support and protect laborers and equipment during construction.

Furthermore, if your house is in a flood-prone area, the floor will be raised from natural ground level to mitigate flood risks, leading to increased construction costs.

Extra fees will also arise from connecting utilities such as water, gas, water, and sewer systems to the home, along with potential costs for tree removal.

Construction Time Frame

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A faster construction timeline will naturally cost you more in Adelaide, as it will require more workers.

The alternative is to hire a sole proprietor, but it might be costlier if the construction period is prolonged.

Permits and Fees

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From building approvals to easements, you will be paying for several permits and fees in Adelaide.

For the complete lowdown on these additional, bureaucratic costs, we highly suggest visiting the South Australian government’s website.

What are Adelaide’s new energy standards?

Adelaide’s new energy standards mandate that all new homes and extensions meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements specified in the National Construction Code (NCC).

To ensure compliance, an energy efficiency assessment is conducted, tailored to the climate zone where the house is situated.

Requirements include measures to reduce heating and cooling loads, proper insulation in roofs, walls, and floors, adequate glazing, and more. Further details are available on the South Australian government’s website.

Technical Terms New Adelaide Homeowners Should Know

Prime Costs

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According to Master Builders, a PC (prime cost) item is an amount of money included in a contract sum to purchase a specified item such as doors, taps, tiles, or bathroom fittings.

An agreed estimated amount is included at contract signing but the specific products are not selected until a later stage.

A builder must estimate the cost of such items at or above the lowest amount these items could reasonably cost, which must not be understated, as changes to PC items lead to alterations in the total contract amount.

Provisional Sums

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According to Master Builders, a provisional sum is an amount reserved within the contract sum to account for work or materials not precisely defined at the contract’s inception.

Builders must reasonably estimate the cost of site works, but unforeseen circumstances may lead to exceeding the provisional sum, sometimes significantly.

For instance, some buildings initially require minimal site work due to the location’s “clearness.” The provisional sum will only take effect if large, formerly hidden limestone rocks or tree trunks emerge on the said location during the building process.

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