Wondering how much does it cost to build a house in Perth? With the dynamic construction market, understanding the price of building a custom home is crucial. Inflation pressures continue to increase the costs of labour and building materials, although we note price pressures are easing slightly. This article will explore how much it costs to build a house in Perth.
We will take a closer look at four different types of home designs: passive solar homes, passive house, sustainable homes, and custom-designed & built 7+ star energy-efficient homes. We will compare each of these against a standard 6-star energy-rated custom home, which is currently the minimum standard.
Price comparison guidance for Perth home builders
To make the comparison fair, we compare the cost to build a 4-bedroom home in Perth that is based on a simple rectangular design of 200 square meters (internal dimensions). This type and size can accommodate 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and is sought after for a new home, as it strikes the perfect balance between space and efficiency. With plenty of room for every family member to enjoy, this style offers both functionality and convenience. We’re talking about a medium-range finish with no curved or rounded interior or exterior corners, significant overhang, or a non-typical roof structure. We’re also not considering additional features like extensive landscaping, a swimming pool, sauna, or spa. A garage is included in the 200 sqm internal dimension. Each of the custom homes we discuss has unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to understand what each option entails before making a decision.
Who Is This For?
Choosing the right home type depends on your budget, energy efficiency goals, and long-term savings. Here’s a quick guide:
- 6-Star Home: Ideal for budget-conscious homeowners who want an affordable custom build with standard energy efficiency.
- 7+ Star Home: A great choice for those who want lower energy bills and improved comfort without a major cost increase.
- 8+ Star Passive Solar Home: Perfect for eco-conscious buyers who prioritise natural climate control and minimal energy use, getting the optimum value for budget and outcome.
- Passive House: Best for those who want ultimate energy efficiency, superior comfort, and long-term savings, despite the higher upfront investment.
Cost Breakdown by Home Type
Custom Home (6-star rating)
The standard home for home building with builders in Perth is a 6-star energy-rated home (NAThers). This is the minimum requirement in Perth. Compared to older homes designed and built without energy efficiency in mind, this custom home offers a comfortable living environment. With double brick walls and ceiling insulation, it ensures reasonable energy efficiency. The new home builder who wants to build in Perth, can get started with a budget of around $420K, or $2,100 per sqm.
- Cost: $2,100 per sqm.
- Total cost for 200 sqm: $420K
Custom Energy-Efficient Home (7+ star rating)
The custom 7+ star energy-efficient home, features superior insulation and thermal control. With double brick walls, high-quality glazing, and a heat pump or solar-powered hot water system, it’s a good start to a comfortable, energy-efficient home. If you care about building a quality, comfortable home, reducing energy bills and minimising your impact on the environment, this is a good home in terms of energy efficiency.
- Cost: $2,650 per sqm
- Total cost for 200 sqm: $530K
Passive Solar Homes (8+ star rating)
Enjoy maximum energy savings all year round with a passive solar home in Perth. Boasting an 8+ star rating, potentially up to a 10-star energy-efficiency rating (NAThers), this innovative residence utilises high-quality insulation and glazing. With improved insulation values in the walls, roof and ceilings, overall costs are higher yet worth it for maximising energy efficiency, reducing energy bills and enjoying a comfortable indoor climate year-round. An elegant exposed concrete slab provides thermal mass to maximise these benefits further. Shading in the building’s home design protects against direct sunlight in the warmer months to avoid solar heat gain in the home.
- Cost: $2,800 per sqm
- Total cost for 200 sqm: $560K
Passive House
Passive Houses are constructed to the stringent standards of the Passiv House principles, that limit air changes per hour (ACH) through natural ventilation to less than 0.6 (in comparison to NatHERS, which assumes ~ 12 air changes per hour). These houses include superior insulation to external walls, ceilings, roofs, windows and doors, as well as an airtightness and vapour membrane and a HRV system to control the mechanical ventilation in the house for fresh air. Shading devices are required to block the sun in summer. Despite not being eligible for the highest NatHERS ratings due to different parameters used in the rating of heating & cooling demands, these homes still guarantee outstanding thermal comfort and exceptional performance. So you can have peace of mind while enjoying a wonderful indoor climate and a reduced carbon footprint.
- Cost: $4,000 per sqm
- Total cost for 200 sqm: $800K
Sustainable Homes by Builders in Perth
For those looking to build sustainable new homes, the aspiring new home builders in Perth can include energy-efficient home designs, rainwater harvesting, recycled and recyclable materials, adding a conservative $35K to the building cost of a custom energy-efficient home, a passive solar home or a passive house.
One aspect of sustainable homes is that they need to be energy-efficient and reduce energy consumption where possible. A custom, energy-efficient home of at least 8 stars would be the minimum.
Other features to be considered when building an eco home are water-efficient toilets, taps and shower heads and a grey water system, allowing you to recycle water in the garden. A sustainable garden should also be Waterwise, containing plants and trees native to Perth and Western Australia.
Building Variations and Land Considerations
Building a smaller home or a two-story home affects the total cost. Another aspect that will increase cost is building blocks with significant variance in ground levels. While such building blocks can often be utilised to build beautiful homes with massive appeal, it does make building more difficult and impact home designs and construction complexity.
- Smaller or two-story homes, luxury finishes, and sloped building blocks can influence the total cost.
- Non-rectangular designs and high-end finishings also impact the final price.
- Elevated land in Perth may incur additional costs due to earthworks and retaining requirements.
Home Designs and Impact on Costs
What you will likely encounter designing and building your dream home, is that most home designs are not completely rectangular. When creating your home designs, you will often end up adding style elements to both the exterior as well as the interior of your home designs. This helps you optimise the space, features, and the flow and use of your new home.
The last aspect that dramatically impacts overall building costs is getting higher-end finishings, high-spec appliances, and bathrooms with a custom home builder. And any addition to the house, like a swimming pool, sauna, or spa, will also lead to higher investment with builders in Perth.
Conclusion
Summary of House Costs & Comparison Table
| Home Type | Price per SQM | Total 200 SQM | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 6 Star Custom Home | $2,100 | $420,000 | Cost-effective, standard efficiency | Basic insulation, higher energy bills. Not future proof. |
| 7+ Star Energy-Efficient | $2,650 | $530,000 | Better insulation, lower energy use | Slightly higher upfront cost |
| 8+ Star Passive Solar | $2,800 | $560,000 | Optimal energy savings, thermal mass benefits | Requires optimal design for efficiency + ideal for Aussie climate. |
| Passive House | $4,000 | $800,000 | Superior comfort, extreme energy efficiency | Highest initial investment |
Building a custom home in Perth involves various considerations, from passive solar homes to custom energy-efficient home design, choosing the right home builder is essential. Whether you’re looking for a custom home builder in Perth to create your dream home or exploring new homes with quality building companies, this guide should help you understand the costs involved.
Norde Homes is here to assist you in designing and constructing your energy-efficient home. Feel free to contact us to discuss your ideas and plans.
Disclaimer: These indications are based on January 2025 prices, and while we’ve done everything in power to be transparent, increases in the cost of materials or trades or variations due to choices in home design and land considerations cannot be accounted for.
Contact Norde Homes Today for A Free Consultation
Considering building a home in Perth? Contact Norde Homes for a free consultation and find out how we can help you build an energy-efficient home that suits your budget and lifestyle.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, buying an existing home is cheaper in the short term. However, building a custom home allows for better energy efficiency and long-term savings. Plus you have the added advantage of building something uniquely suited to your envisioned lifestyle.
A 6-star home is the most affordable option, but an 8-star passive solar home offers the best balance between initial cost and long-term energy savings.
Yes, Passive Houses have higher upfront costs but provide superior comfort, lower energy bills, and long-term savings, making them an excellent investment.
Get Started on Your Dream Home
Timeless & Energy-Efficient, Tailored to Your Style
Norde Homes specialises in designing custom homes that blend timeless elegance with energy efficiency. Whether you’re ready to build or just exploring options, let’s discuss your ideas and start shaping your future home.
For a limited time, we offer the following appliances for free with every new building contract: Induction Cooking Plate ($1,800) and an iStore Heat Pump ($4,200).
