Adelaide Custom Home Builder

Why Price Per Square Metre Doesn't Tell the Whole Story About Your New Home

June 03, 20253 min read

Have you ever noticed how we love to compare prices? Whether it's groceries, petrol, or homes, we're always looking for that quick comparison.

But when it comes to building your new home, using price per square metre as your guide might lead you down the wrong path.

The Old Way of Thinking

Back in simpler times, when most homes used standard materials and similar designs, price per square metre made sense. It was like comparing apples with apples. But today's homes are more like comparing a fruit shop to a gourmet grocer – there's so much more variety and quality to consider.

Why This Matters for Your Home

Imagine you're planning your kitchen. Your neighbour just built one the same size as what you're planning. They paid $40,000, so that should be your budget too, right? Not quite. Their kitchen might have basic laminate benchtops and standard appliances, while you're dreaming of stone surfaces and premium appliances. Same space, completely different outcome.

Adelaide Custom Home Builder
The Real Story Behind the Numbers

Let's break this down with a simple example. Two homes, both 250 square metres. One's a simple rectangular design with four walls. The other has interesting angles, multiple living areas, and an indoor-outdoor flow. Despite being the same size, the second home could cost significantly more to build because of its complexity.

What Really Affects Your Building Costs

When calculating your home's cost, we need to consider multiple factors:

  • Design Complexity - Your home's shape and layout make a huge difference. A straightforward design is like making a simple sandwich, while a complex design is more like creating a gourmet meal.

  • Room Purpose - Not all spaces are created equal. Your bedroom might be the same size as your bathroom, but one needs basic walls and flooring while the other requires waterproofing, plumbing, and special fixtures.

  • Quality of Finishes - This is where personal choice really shows. It's like choosing between a basic watch and a luxury timepiece - they both tell time, but the craftsmanship and materials make a world of difference.

Adelaide Custom Home Builder

The ST Construct Approach

We believe in having honest conversations about costs from day one. Instead of giving you a misleading square metre rate, we take time to understand:

  • What you want to achieve with your home

  • Your preferred style and quality level

  • How you'll use different spaces

  • Your must-haves versus nice-to-haves

Making Better Decisions

When planning your new home, think beyond the square metre rate. Consider how you'll use each space, what features matter most to you, and where you want to invest in quality.

Ready for a More Accurate Picture?

Relying on the old metric of price per square meter is no longer reliable or accurate. If you're planning to build and want to understand the real costs involved, let's have a chat. We'll help you understand what influences your building costs and how to make the most of your budget, so you can move forward with clarity and peace of mind.

Book a consultation with us today, and let's start planning your home the right way.

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