Image credit: architecturaldesigns.com
There are tons of reasons why you might be Googling house extension cost per m2 in Australia. Perhaps you’ve found the house of your dreams but your family is growing and you need more space.
Or maybe you’re working from home these days and want a private, home office of your own to be focused and reproductive.
So we get why you might be looking.
House extensions costs per m2 in Australia are between $2000-$4000 right now. The price you’ll get will vary depending on the type of construction and of course, materials. Let’s have a closer look.
What is the house extension cost per m2 in Australia?
The costs of a house extension per m2 in Australia are between $2000-$4000. But there are many factors which will impact the price.
Before you start getting quotes, you should definitely have a good, hard think about what you need from the home extension, how much space is required and how you want to outfit it. Only then can you start making plans and getting a better estimate of how much it will cost.
Where the extension is
Aside from materials, one of the ways the variations on price comes from the level. Ground floor extensions can be around $2000-$4000 per m2. Second storey extensions can be between $3000-$3500 per m2. You can check out our guide on building a second storey here.
The size of the extension
How big your extension is will also affect the cost. Let’s say you want to build a small, one-level granny flat of 80 m2. You can then expect to be charged around $160,000-$330,000.
However, a smaller space of around 60 m2 might be around $50,000 less than that. Which is why it’s important to think about how much space you’ll need exactly.
Type of extension
Second storey extension costs are much higher because you often have to do more structural work like add stairs, foundation work and then a roof on top of it. However, the funny part here is that you save more by adding a larger area.
So, in that sense, if you’re building a large extension, adding a second storey might be more worth it.
However, if you don’t need a larger ground floor extension, between 60-80 m2 of space, something like a garage conversion would do. You can use that space to leave your house tools and electric bicycle kit since they don’t take much room.
Bathroom extension costs are also the highest because they need both plumbing and electrical work. Kitchens come next, followed by living areas and bedroom.
According to Archicentre Australia, these are the general costs of adding wet areas to an extension
- Bathroom/ensuite bathroom: $12,000 – $28,000
- Kitchen: $15,000 – $40,000
- Laundry: $6,000 – $15,000
Circumstantial extras
The costs above are for standard designs and situations, but not every home extension project is created equal. Sometimes walls need to be knocked down or excavation work done which will add to your costs.
Add-ons
Depending on what you’re doing with the home extension, you’ll need to consider other potentially major expenses like electricity, new plumbing and council fees.
If the project is a big one, you sometimes need to bring in structural engineers or a building contractor.
Then there’s the furnishing, fixtures and fittings. Include these in your overall budget as well.
Further Reading: Living in Perth and exploring different housing builds? Check out our guide on Modular Prefabricated Home Prices in Perth.
Do I need to get approvals for a house extension?
House extensions that require structural renovations will usually need permission from your local council. These are the types of permits you might need in NSW:
- Demolition permit
- Development consent or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC)
- Development application (DA)
- Building permit
- Town planning approval
Your builder or architect might help you take care of this, but you should know the costs and requirements before you start.
In NSW, the building of granny flats and internal work renovation projects don’t need planning approval. But you want to be sure before you start hacking.
How much should you spend on a house extension?
Of course, there’s no one standard answer to this. But it’s important to know how much value the extension is adding to your home. Some extensions can add 5-20% of value. Some say that the rule of thumb, is to not spend more than 5-10% of the current value of your house.
According to Hugo Tugman, founder of Architect Your Home, 50% should be put towards the construction and 50% towards the interior, the last of which includes fixtures and furnishings.
What is the cheapest way to extend your house?
If you’re on a budget but need the space, here are a few ways to add an extension without overspending:
Stick to a single storey extension
single storey extensions are usually lower in price. If the amount of area you need isn’t more than 100 m2, an added living space or extra bedroom can add both value and beauty to your current home.
Get a prefabricated house extension
Prefabricated home extensions are both affordable and good looking. They often come completely outfitted which means a lot less hassle for you. They also come in a range of styles however, you’ll be limited to what they have already designed.
Do a garage conversion
If you don’t have a car or if your garage is more of a storage room, it might be worth it to add real value to that space and do a garage conversion. It’s a real cost-effective way to add space to your home because there is already an existing structure.
What you could also do is add a mezzanine above the garage that can be used as living space. But bear in mind that the ceiling height of your garage has to be high—around 3.3 metres is ideal. Adding a mezzanine above your garage space can cost as little as $550 per square metre.
If you’re hoping to add another room in order to rent it out, you can read more about converting your garage into a bedroom here.
Use cheaper materials
This seems like a no-brainer but using cheaper materials can help you lower the cost of your home extension. One of the most cost-effective construction materials is the timber frame. A brick veneer extension is about mid-range and double brick is one of the most expensive options.
Do I need an architect for a home extension?
You might not always need an architect for a home extension project. It does depend on how large scale your extension is though.
Many do garage conversions or add a prefab extension without the expertise of an architect or building designer, but if bigger works, like bathroom renovations and kitchen renovations will benefit from a professional.
Architects can help you with creating a vision for your extension based on what you need. They will also advise on the costs and act as a project manager with the workers and tradies until the project is finished. But you’ll need to have the budget for this.
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