How much does it cost to build a house in 2024?

Use our table to find the average building costs for a variety of building types

How much does it cost to build a house? The BMT Construction Cost Table is a useful guide to the cost of building a house as well as a variety of building types including townhouses, residential apartments, office blocks,industrial warehouses, supermarkets, shopping centres, hotels and motels. Choose your finish then multiply by the regional variations table below to find out the approximate cost per construction type per square metre in your area.
Select your nearest city, then tap on a description to see the range of cost for the construction type per square metre.
Cost to build a house
3BR
weatherboard project home, level block, single level, shelf design

3BR
brick veneer project home, level block, single level, shelf design

3BR
full brick project home, level block, single level, shelf design

4BR
weatherboard home, level block, single level, unique design

4BR
brick veneer home, level block, single level, unique design

4BR
full brick home, level block, single level, unique design

3BR
brick veneer project home, level block, two level, shelf design

3BR
full brick project home, level block, two level, shelf design

4BR
brick veneer home, level block, two level, unique design

4BR
full brick home, level block, two level, unique design

Architecturally designed executive residence
Cost to build a townhouse
2BR
single level brick veneer townhouse including allowance for common property

2BR
2 level brick veneer townhouse including allowance for common property

3BR
single level brick veneer townhouse including allowance for common property

3BR
2 level brick veneer townhouse including allowance for common property
Cost to build units
3 level walk-up unit complex, concrete structure, ground floor parking

3 level walk-up unit complex, concrete structure, basement parking

4-8 level unit complex, including lift, concrete structure, ground floor parking

4-8 level unit complex, including lift, concrete structure, basement parking

8 or more level unit complex, including lift and basement car parking
Industrial construction costs
High Bay Warehouse, standard configuration, concrete floor, metal clad

High Bay Warehouse, standard configuration, concrete floor, pre-cast concrete wall clad
Motels/Hotels construction costs
Single level boutique motel including A/C, guest facilities

Single level tavern/hotel including A/C, excluding loose item fit out
Office construction costs
1-4 level open plan offices, including A/C & lifts, excluding fit out

4-8 level open plan offices, including A/C & lifts, excluding fit out

8 levels and over, including A/C & lifts, excluding fit out
Retail construction costs
Suburban shopping mall area including A/C

Supermarket, including A/C, excluding fit out
How we calculate construction costs

The construction cost information above is provided as a general guide to allow you to estimate the potential construction costs for a building type. Our costing information is based on assumptions concerning construction type, quality and condition of inclusions. Costs provided are an average price for typical buildings as at the date of publication, allowing for preliminaries, builders profit and overheads. Costs can provide no more than a rough guide to the probable cost of building, as costs vary significantly based on site conditions, level of fitout and design.

Two of the main considerations used in the above calculations are the Gross Floor Area (GFA) rate and pricing adjustments for the regional variations.

Gross Floor Area calculation

Typically GFA can be defined as the sum of the fully enclosed covered floor area and the unenclosed covered floor area of a building at all floor levels, measured in a square metre rate. GFA consists of two elements:

FECA
FECA | Fully Enclosed Covered Area
See examples >
  • Basements
  • Attics
  • Garages
  • Penthouses
  • Lift shafts
  • Staircases
  • Columns and piers
UCA
UCA | Unenclosed Covered Area
See examples >
  • Roofed balconies
  • Open varandahs
  • Porches and porticos
  • Attached covered walkways
  • Usable space under buildings
Regional Variations

Regional variations consider the pricing differences for each region and are used to provide a more comprehensive range of construction costs. This table multiplies the default regional value Sydney, by the appropriate regional percentage to find the approximate cost for the construction type per square metre in the selected area.

The percentage variations are below:

Cairns
110% - 130%
Brisbane
95% - 115%
Sydney
100% - 100%
Canberra
92% - 120%
Melbourne
95% - 105%
Hobart
95% - 120%
Adelaide
95% - 108%
Perth
98% - 120%
Darwin
110% - 135%

Disclaimer:

The Cost Information supplied above is based on assumptions concerning construction type, quality and condition of inclusions which may differ from your personal circumstances. You acknowledge and agree you must undertake your own analysis and obtain independent construction, legal, financial and taxation advice before using, relying or acting on the Cost Information.

X
Level of finish explained
Low
Medium
High