Building a house in Brisbane usually costs between $2800 and $4950 a square metre, according to recent construction industry research.

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

Smaller homes can actually cost more per square metre to build, even if they have a lower overall cost. Meanwhile, larger homes built by a project builder on a flat block of land could take the cost to as low as $1890 a square metre, according to this Reddit thread.

If you use high-end materials or have a particularly challenging build, it could cost as high as $8000 a square metre – or even beyond that in some cases.

Official data on cost of building

ABS data shows the average cost of a new build in Queensland is $389,911 – well below the figures we’ve calculated above. However, the ABS data includes the cost of alterations and additions, as well as new houses, which brings the median build cost down dramatically. 

It also encompasses a wide range of home sizes and types across Queensland, including more affordable regions and smaller dwellings. 

MORE: How much does it cost to build a house in Sydney?

Building a Brisbane home could cost anywhere from $633,080 to $1,119,195, based on the average Queensland new house size of 226.1sqm, but factors like how many bedrooms or a sloping block will impact your bottom line. Picture: Getty

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Cost to build a house in Brisbane – per number of bedrooms

An effective way to work out how much you’re likely to pay for a new home in Brisbane is to calculate total cost based on the number of bedrooms. 

This is because most construction work is quoted “per square metre”. 

Cost of a 2-bedroom house in Brisbane

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

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

Cost of a 3-bedroom house in Brisbane

A three-bedroom house in Brisbane should cost anywhere from $490,000 to $866,250. This is calculated based on an average-sized three-bedroom home of 175sqm.

The exact cost will come down to the level of customisation and quality of materials used. 

Cost of a 4-bedroom house in Brisbane

To  build a four-bedroom house in Brisbane, you should expect to pay between $728,000 and $1,287,000. This is based on an average house size of 260sqm. 

It’s this category that is the “sweet spot” for new builds in Brisbane, with the four-bedroom/two-bathroom house a standard for new houses in Queensland.

Cost of a 5-bedroom house in Brisbane

The average cost of building a five-bedroom house in Brisbane is $840,000 to $1,4850,000. However, costs can get much higher if you opt for high-end fixtures and fittings. 

How much does a second storey cost in Brisbane?

Building a second storey costs as much as an extra $1000 per square metre when compared with a single storey residence, said builder Rebeka Morgan of BuildHer, who runs courses on how to run a successful construction project across Australia.

This means, for instance, if you’re building an average four-bedroom two-storey house, it could cost as much as $260,000 more to make it a two-storey home compared with a one-storey home. 

"It costs a lot more to put on a second storey – additional external work becomes harder with scaffolding, staircases, and more complex trades involved,” she explained. 

“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.”

For this reason, Morgan said “design efficiency” is crucial. 

"The relationship between external walls and floor area impacts cost. Features like cantilevers or complex layouts can increase costs further. By optimising the design – keeping it straightforward and minimising unnecessary complexities – you can manage these additional expenses more effectively."

MORE: How much does it cost to build a house in Melbourne?

Adding a second storey can cost as much as an extra $1000 per square metre when compared with a single storey residence. For an average 4-bed, 2-bath home, it could add $260,000 more to the cost.

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Is it cheaper to build or to buy in Brisbane?

It is often cheaper to build a house rather than buy one in Brisbane. However, whether it is cheaper for you depends on several factors.

1. What will you pay for land?

Median land value in South East Queensland is $374,000 according to one report. However, land close to the centre of Brisbane or in upmarket suburbs can sell for far more.

2. What is the cost of building?

The more it costs to build your house – whether that’s due to size or quality of finishes, or a combination of both – the more expensive the overall price will be.

3. How much transfer duty (stamp duty) will you pay?

In Queensland, Stamp duty on an established house tends to be more expensive than it is on vacant land. That’s because, 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, we need to pay stamp duty on 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.

4. Do you qualify for transfer duty concessions?

A stamp duty concession can substantially reduce the cost of buying a home.

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 pay no 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. 
• Anyone buying a home as their main residence. Owner/occupiers pay less than investors when they buy a home in Queensland. This discount, known as the Home Concession, was taken into account in the calculations above. 

5. Are you a first-home owner?

You may also be entitled to other grants, including the boosted First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), if you build your home rather than buy an established one. 

MORE: How much does it cost to build a home in Perth?

There is a significant price difference between using a project home and going the bespoke route. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Factors affecting building costs in Brisbane 

The ultimate cost of building a house in Brisbane depends on several factors.

1. The finishings you choose

“The finishings you choose will have a greater impact on the cost of building a home than any other factor,” said Morgan. 

“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 added.

“It's good fun to add these features, but it's less fun when you have to pay for them. So focus on what truly adds value and comfort to your home without overspending."

2. The size of your home

Big homes require more materials, and more materials make them more expensive.

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

3. Whether you use an architect or project builder

When deciding between a project builder and hiring an architect for a bespoke home in Brisbane, it's essential to consider the cost implications.

“There's a massive price difference between project homes and bespoke homes,”  Morgan explained. “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.”

4. How easy (or difficult) your site is

Having a difficult site, such as a steeply sloping block or inner-city site that is difficult to access, will add new challenges to your build. These won’t just impact the builder’s ability to get machinery on site, they will also influence what materials you’ll be able to 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.”

Morgan also said that owners can control how much they spend by understanding material and labor costs.

“The combination of how long something takes and how much material it uses drives the end price. Understanding what you're designing can lead to efficient builds that maximise size and quality."

MORE: How much it costs to build a home in each state

5. Whether you suffer any delays

Delays – due to weather, or getting trades or supplies on site – can really cause a project budget to blow out. However, Morgan doesn’t believe they’re inevitable.

“Delays aren’t inevitable, but having a realistic timeframe and understanding how the project works are crucial,” Morgan said.

“Keeping the builder’s schedule on track and being proactive about ordering materials can save a lot of headaches – and costs – down the line.”

6. Planning and development costs

Development fees are usually council-based, and can add thousands of dollars to the cost of any build. 

The City of Brisbane council website notes that “planning application and development assessment fees can vary depending on the type of development you are proposing or undertaking”.

The more complex the design and construction, the more it’s likely to cost.

Government grants available for new homes in Brisbane

If you’re building a house in Brisbane, you may be entitled to a government grant to help meet your costs. 

Queensland First Home Owner Grant

How much is it? $30,000 
What is it? A one off payment towards the purchase price
Who is eligible? First home buyers, including those building a new property.
What thresholds apply? Value of home must be less than $750,000 (including land and contract to build)
Available to investors? No.

Read more about the Queensland First Home Owner Grant

Queensland First Home Vacant Land Concession

How much is it? Up to $10,675
What is it? A discount on the amount of transfer duty you need to pay
Who is eligible? First home buyers who buy vacant land
What thresholds apply? Value of land must be less than $500,000 for a concession, and less than $350,000 for a full exemption. 
Available to investors? No.

Read more about Queensland’s vacant land concessions

HomeBuilder Grant

How much is it? $15,000 for contracts entered into between 1 January and 31 March 2021; $25,000 for contracts entered into between 4 June and 31 December 2020
What is it? A one off payment towards building a home
Who is eligible? Buyers who entered into a contract to build a home between 4 June 2020 and 31 March 2021 and complete their application before 30 June 2025 
What thresholds apply? Value of land must be less than $750,000 (including land and contract to build). Must earn less than $125,000 as an individual or $200,000 as a couple. 
Available to investors? No.

Read more about the HomeBuilder grant

FAQs: Cost of building a house in Brisbane

Below are some of the most common questions people ask about building a house in Brisbane.

Do I need a contingency buffer when building a house? How much should it be? 

Yes. The cost of building a house isn’t precise so you should always have a buffer. 

The amount of this buffer should depend on where you are in the build, Morgan said.

“At the start you should plan for a larger buffer, around 20%, because things can change as the design evolves and unknowns arise,” she explained.

“As the project progresses and you’ve locked in a builder and materials, you can reduce that buffer to around 5-10%, depending on the complexity of the build.”

How long does it take to build a house in Brisbane?

Building a house in Brisbane usually takes between four months and a year. However, it can take longer if you face delays.

How do you finance a new build?

You’ll usually need to take out a construction loan, which works a bit differently from a normal home loan.

Instead of the funds being released to you all at once, they’re staggered to correspond with construction milestones  (there are usually six of these). That means you won’t pay interest on the full loan amount right from the start, but only on the funds you've received.

Want to find a builder in your area? Browse our New Homes building section.