What decides what building costs in Canberra
What actually moves the price of a new home, a rebuild, an extension, a shed or a fit-out, and the costs people tend to forget. Then a free, itemised quote for your job.
What you'll pay comes down to your site and the inclusions you choose: the slope and soil of the block, the size and shape of the building, the kitchen, bathrooms and finishes, and what has to happen to approve it. That's why we don't publish prices. The quote and the first site visit are free, and every quote is itemised line by line.
Pick a cost guide
Each one covers what pushes the price up or down, the costs people forget and what to check in a quote.
What drives the price, and how long each job takes
| Project | What moves the price most | Time on site | Usually the right fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| New home | Size and storeys, slope and soil, kitchen, bathrooms and finishes | 9 to 14 monthsafter 2 to 5 months of design and approvals | You have a vacant block or a lot in a new estate |
| Knockdown rebuild | Asbestos and access for the demolition, the block, and the new home's size and finishes | 10 to 16 monthsfrom demolition to handover | You love the location but the house no longer works |
| Extension | Size, wet areas, building out or up, and joining it to the house | 3 to 6 monthsonce approvals are in place | You need one or two more rooms, not a whole new house |
| Shed or garage | Floor area, height, doors, the slab and your site's wind rating | 2 to 6 weeksincluding the slab, once approved | You need a garage, workshop, storage or commercial shed |
| Office fit-out | Rooms, joinery, changes to power, data and air, and after-hours work | 3 to 6 weeksfor small offices and shops, 8 to 12+ weeks for larger ones | You're moving into, or refreshing, an office or shop |
Why you won't find price lists here
A number on a website can't see your block. Here's how we get you a real one instead.
Every site is different
Slope, soil, rock, access and services change the footings and the site work. The same building can cost very different amounts on two blocks.
Your inclusions decide it
Kitchens, bathrooms, finishes and fittings move the price more than most people expect, so we price what you actually choose.
Free, itemised quotes
We walk the site for free, then quote line by line, with allowances and site costs shown separately so you can compare.
Questions about building costs
Why don't you publish prices?
Because your site and your inclusions change the price too much for a single figure to be honest. We'd rather walk your block and give you an itemised quote for your actual job, free.
What's in an itemised quote?
Every part of the job on its own line: the structure, the inside, the wet areas, services, and the outside work. Allowances and site costs are shown separately, so you can see exactly what's included and compare it with anyone else's.
What are site costs?
The work around the building itself: excavation, retaining, rock removal, drainage and connecting power, water, sewer and NBN. They depend on your block, which is why we visit before we quote.
Do you charge for a quote?
No. The quote and the first site visit are free.
Every job is different. Your quote is free.
We'll walk your site and give you an itemised price for your job, not a ballpark.