Custom Home Styles Prices in Melbourne

A custom-built home was previously only considered a luxury option for affluent people or just niche buyers; however, today, throughout Melbourne, you will find many more families, professionals, and investors turning towards custom building, as it allows them to build homes that fit their lifestyle and how they want to live.

In addition to layout and finishes, custom homes provide a level of control over your future energy performance and flexibility that standard homes do not. When you build a quality custom home, it is not just a place to live. It’s a lifelong commitment that combines your current lifestyle, future values, and practicalities.

Knowing the prices of custom homes in Melbourne and the various styles available will give you a clearer idea when planning, as well as a smaller chance of any unforeseen surprises as the process unfolds.

Reasons to Consider Building a Custom Home

A custom-built home allows homeowners to design a home around what they need and want to do, rather than adapting their lives to a pre-formed floor plan. It is one of the main reasons that many people are choosing to move away from volume-built homes.

When you build a custom home, you can:

• Design your living spaces around how you truly live from day to day
• Choose the materials and finishes that best fit your preferences and budget
• Create your custom home to take advantage of your block’s geographic orientation, slope and size
• Build for energy efficiency
• Future proofing the home for your growing family and/or changing lifestyles.

Many homeowners in Melbourne feel that a custom-built home is a better long-term investment than standard volume-build houses. A good custom-built home should have less repairs and maintenance than a standard volume-built home, as well as lower energy costs and will also eliminate the possibility of needing future renovations. Premier Homes Victoria is one of the custom home builders focusing on creating houses that strike a balance between design, quality of Build and budgetary limitations; therefore, custom homes are becoming more and more popular throughout Victoria.

What determines the price to build a custom home in Melbourne?

The price to build a custom home in Melbourne can differ greatly depending on various factors. We will highlight the reasons why home-building prices fluctuate so significantly.

Size of the house

When building larger homes, you are going to require a greater quantity of materials, labour and construction time compared to smaller homes. However, smart use of design principles to create wasted space and control costs through space efficiency are two ways in which a larger custom home will not always have to cost more to build and can provide better value for money. Generally, open-plan designs and multi-use rooms are better value per square metre of building area compared to smaller rooms.

Complexity of the Design

A builder will generally find it easier and less expensive to construct a home that has a simple design with straight lines (including a simple roof shape) and the use of standard structural elements as opposed to a home with custom architectural features such as split-level homes, custom joinery and/or complex roof designs. While these can increase build costs, they can also provide character and function to a house.

Materials and Finishes

The choice of materials will greatly affect the final cost of building a custom home in Melbourne (i.e., premium stone, hardwood flooring, custom joinery and high-end fixtures will increase the cost of a custom home). On the other hand, if standard materials are selected from a smart designer’s perspective, a high-quality look and feel can be achieved within a set budget.

Location and Site Conditions

The cost of building will vary depending on where the house is built within Melbourne. Generally, the Inner and Bayside suburbs of Melbourne will incur higher labour and compliance costs compared to those of the Outer suburbs. In addition, the condition of the land (i.e., sloping blocks, soil conditions, and access) can create additional excavation and engineering costs.

Most popular custom home styles within Melbourne and their cost

Given the diversity of Melbourne’s population, Melbourne’s architecture would be expected to reflect that diversity. Custom homes can be made to suit your taste and budget; they range from old classic to new-age styled homes and modern to new-age. 

Modern and contemporary-style homes 

With a focus on open spaces, clean lines, and strong connections between indoor and outdoor living areas. The most common features of modern homes include large windows, simple custom finishes, and functional home layout designs.

Estimated Price Range: The estimated price per square metre for a modern home ranges from $2,200 to $3,800. This will be determined by the quality of construction (cost of materials used for finishings), complexity of structure (including any type of renewables or alternate heat sources), and energy features.

Victorian Homes

Victorian-style homes can be identified by their highly decorative character and detailed nature. Victorian homes have a historic importance, holding a valuable place in Melbourne’s history. The characteristic aspects of a Victorian-style home are high ceilings, decorative features, and historically authentic façades.

Estimated Price Range: Encompasses an estimated price per square metre of a Victorian-style home from the historical values of craftsmanship, detailing, era and construction.

Federation Homes

Federation-style homes combine decorative features with wide verandahs and strong street presence to make them an ideal design for family living, while also combining the comforts of both historic and modern styles.

Estimated Price Range: The estimated price range for a Federation-style home is between $2,800 and $4,500 per square metre.

Eco-Friendly / Energy-Efficient Homes

Eco-Friendly/ Energy-Efficient homes are built to provide sustainability by incorporating smart orientation (the use of the sun’s direction to heat and cool), insulation, efficient glazing, and renewable energy systems.

Estimated Price Range: The estimated price range for an eco-friendly/energy-efficient house is from $2,500 to $4,200 per square metre. Although these houses may have a higher upfront cost, the energy cost savings created will offset much of the additional investment.

Custom Home Prices in Melbourne at a Glance

Home Styles	Prices (Per m²)	Ideal For
Modern/Contemporary	$2,200 – $3,800	Open-plan living, Flexible layout
Victorian	$3,000 – $4,800	Heritage Character Lovers
Federation	$2,800 – $4,500	Family homes, Classic look
Eco-Friendly	$2,500 – $4,200	Long-term savings, Sustainable practices

 

The above table lists the various types of custom home prices and how the price of a custom home can differ based on its style/design. The type of building performance you desire from the home will help you to decide what your desired custom home price is.

Additional Costs to Factor Into Your Budget

The custom home price does not only include the building itself but also the additional costs that you need to plan for ahead of time to reduce stress later in the process.

Land and Site Preparation

Land prices in Melbourne vary greatly based on location. The costs associated with the preparation of your site (excavation, retaining walls, soil treatments, etc.) may also add a considerable amount to your overall price depending on the conditions of the block.

Permit and Approval

Obtaining all required council approvals, planning permits, and meeting all council compliance requirements is vital to the successful completion of your custom home. The costs of obtaining your permits will vary based on where you are building and the complexity of the design of the home. 

Professional Fees

You will be working closely with your architect, designer, engineer, and surveyor throughout the custom home building process. This group of professionals will not only help you achieve your desired outcome, but they will also help you to avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your new home meets all required regulations and expectations.

Landscaping and External Works

Landscaping has been left out in many completed homes. Landscaping is an integral part of the overall finished appearance of your home. Some examples of items that may need to be addressed during this phase of the custom building process are:

• Driveways
• Fences 
• Gates

Managing The Costs Of Building A Custom Home

Focus on what is most important:

• Choose materials that will give you the best design without sacrificing long-lasting durability.
• Choose Custom Builders Who Have Experience Working in the Melbourne Climate.
• Consider future needs in designing your new home so that you do not have to do expensive renovations later.
• Stay involved with the process of building your custom home; make decisions as they relate to your budget.
• Use a builder who is transparent with you in the communication process to assist you in staying in control of costs and expectations.

Build Confidently with Premier Homes Vic.

Custom home styles can allow you to custom design your home to your specific needs, including long-term value for your investment; with proper planning and implementation of a quality builder, all of this is possible. Understanding the prices of custom homes in Melbourne allows for clarity, not compromise, in relation to the design and performance of your custom-built home.

Premier Homes VIC designs and builds custom homes to fit your block, your lifestyle, and your budget! With a Premier Homes VIC experience, your custom home will be custom designed from start to finish, including consideration for all factors relating to the design of your custom home.

Contact Premier Homes VIC for open, honest discussions regarding the costs associated with building a custom home and how they can provide you with a custom home suited specifically to your needs. Contact Premier Homes VIC and take the first step towards building your custom home today.