FIRST WE DESIGN – THEN WE BUILD
Upfront, reliable and realistic build cost estimates with creative design options.
Discover what it really costs to build your dream home. Get realistic budgeting insights here.
Starting your building journey can be both exciting and daunting, filled with dreams of creating your perfect home and the concerns of budget overruns and project feasibility. Selecting the right builder and architect is essential.
RoomFour recognises these challenges and offers a unique solution through our Build Cost Estimate service.
We dive deep into your project’s specifics, assessing every crucial factor to provide a realistic and comprehensive cost estimation. This ensures your dream home becomes a reality, safeguarded against unexpected expenses and grounded in financial viability, setting the foundation for a successful building journey.
By establishing clarity from the outset, you are setting your project on a streamlined path. This reduces uncertainties, anxieties, and potential roadblocks as you transition from the planning phase to actual construction.
Our 3 step process is designed to address concerns about cost, time, and the unknown, guiding you to a successful project outcome with confidence and clarity.
Step 1: Client Information Form & Discovery Call
Once RoomFour has received your inquiry, a Client Information Form is sent out. This form provides us with crucial information about your unique project requirements prior to our Discovery Call. During the Discovery Call we learn more about your project and building goals.
Step 2: Proposal for Sketch Design & Feasibility and Preliminary Build Cost
A Proposal is provided by RoomFour to engage in the Build Cost Estimate service.
Step 3: Feasability Study & Sketch Design
We then conduct a Feasibility Study & Sketch Design to ensure your dream aligns with practical and regulatory considerations. This includes three onsite visits with our experienced builder and architect.
PRESENTATION: The second site visit is a presentation of the completed Feasibility and Sketch Design document. Here you will receive 3 hand drawn sketches along with estimated and itemized, build cost pricing for each sketch design. This document is provided to you to review until the next visit.
The location, size, and slope of the block you choose can greatly impact your budget. Lot pricing, land prices, and a sloping block can all impact the cost. Stamp duty and other site costs should also be considered.
The square meterage and complexity of the house design are crucial considerations, as larger and more intricate home designs typically cost more to construct. Single storey or double storey houses and architecturally designed or display homes will affect the total cost.
Your choice of building materials and finishes is another important factor. Opting for high-end quality materials like imported tiles, premium cabinetry, or exotic wood can drive up material costs substantially. The level and quality of finishes directly impact the building costs.
Don’t forget to account for building permits, council fees, and any necessary approvals required. Construction tender and preliminary estimates are essential to provide an accurate estimation of these costs.
If your project involves demolishing existing structures, be sure to factor in the additional cost of a knockdown rebuild.
Additional factors to consider are investment property market conditions and building and construction trends. Use of more expensive items such as concrete flooring, retaining walls, fixtures and fittings, and any desired features or site work can also add to the overall costs of building.
Our Build Cost Estimate service offers a low-cost yet invaluable opportunity to collaborate with us to clearly define your project’s vision and objectives. By discussing various design options and ideas upfront, we help you visualize the possibilities and potential outcomes, enabling you to make informed decisions moving forward.
With our expertise and innovative approach, you can expect a clear, cohesive, and tailored design concept that perfectly aligns with your needs and budget. We help you address key questions such as:
While exact costs can vary widely depending on your specific requirements, getting a general idea of the ballpark figures can help you set realistic expectations. We use a square metre rate to provide this ballpark figure for your project. Although this is not an ideal method of providing an estimate, it is a great starting point to provide the closest ballpark figure when building a custom home.
you can expect to pay anywhere from $2500 + GST per square metre to $5000 + GST per square metre. A family home generally ranges between 200 – 350 square metres. As an example, a 300 square metre home, at $3000 + GST per square metre, would cost roughly $990,000. It’s essential to discuss your budget and priorities with your builder early on to ensure you’re on the same page.
A 200-square metre extension built at $3,000 + GST per square metre= $600,000 + GST
Site conditions: for an inner city dwelling with limited access requiring scaffolding, machinery and cranes allow an extra 10% of $600,000 = $60,000 + GST.
Add-ons: for underfloor heating and associated technology with towel rails included allow an extra $30,000 + GST
Demolition of rear of the property and site preparation: allow an extra $15,000 + GST
Architect’s fees including interior design: allow an extra at 5% of $710,000 = $35,500 + GST
Other consultants and fees: allow an extra $10,000 + GST.
TOTAL BUDGET ALLOWANCE = $750,000.00 + GST= $825,000.00
This example may demonstrate the items many people miss in their budget planning and how a complete preliminary agreement and full proposal prepares people for all outcomes.
It’s important to note that these are just approximate estimates, and the actual costs can fluctuate significantly based on factors such as the location, size, design complexity, materials used, and any additional features or site work required.
For instance, building on a sloping block or incorporating luxurious finishes like marble or imported fixtures can drive the costs up substantially.
The cost of building a Passive House can vary widely, influenced by factors such as location, design complexity, and the materials and technologies used to meet the stringent Passive House standards. These standards require high levels of insulation, airtightness, and energy- efficient systems to significantly reduce the building’s ecological footprint. On average, building a Passive House may command a premium of about 10% to 20% over the cost of standard construction, depending on the specific requirements and finishes chosen. However, for higher-spec architectural homes, this difference can be as low as 3-5% because a significant portion of the budget is allocated to high-end finishes, making the premium for achieving Passive House standards less significant.
This initial investment is often offset by the substantial savings in energy costs over the life of the home, making it a cost-effective choice in the long term. In general, high-performance or Passive House homes can start between $4000-$4500 per square meter, however this price can quite easily increase, where just like building any other home, with added complexities and more high-end, refined finishes.
Architects’ fees can vary widely based on the project’s complexity, the services provided, and the architect’s experience and reputation. Generally, architects charge in one of three ways: a fixed fee for the entire project, a percentage of the total construction costs (typically ranging from 8% to 15%), or an hourly rate for more consultative services. For residential projects, including custom homes and renovations, the percentage of construction costs is a common method. The exact percentage can depend on the project’s scale and complexity, with more intricate designs and higher-end projects possibly attracting higher fees. It’s important to discuss and agree upon the fee structure upfront to ensure clarity and alignment on expectations.
At RoomFour, we predominantly offer a fixed-price service for our architectural projects, providing our clients with clear, upfront costs. On the odd occasion we may opt for a consultative basis or a percentage-based fee structure, depending on the services needed.
Building a new home in Melbourne can range greatly in cost, but as a rough guide:
However, these are just very broad estimates. Exact pricing depends heavily on the specific size, location, materials and features you choose for your new Melbourne home building project.
When it comes to building a typical 3-bedroom home in Melbourne, the costs to build can vary quite a bit depending on the level of finish and features you’re after. As a general ballpark:
Numerous factors influence the total cost of constructing a home in Melbourne.
The major ones include the cost of the land, the home’s total square footage, the complexity of the architectural design, your selection of building materials and fixtures, and associated labour costs for the construction crew. Site preparation, like demolition or excavation, can also drive up costs.
To assist with budgeting for your new home, you can check out user-friendly resources like cost calculators that factor in variables like square footage, materials, labour, etc.
We also have guides that explain different pricing components in detail. These allow you to get an accurate, customised cost projection based on your specific project parameters.
Yes, regulatory costs like building permits, council inspections, certifications and so on can contribute considerably to your overall budget for new home construction in Melbourne.
Consulting with professionals upfront ensures you account for all the necessary administrative and bureaucratic expenses.
