The Average Cost of Building a New Home in Brisbane in 2025

Building a new home is one of the most exciting and significant financial commitments most Australians will make. In 2025, Brisbane continues to attract first-home buyers and families looking for space, lifestyle, and value in emerging suburbs and growing estates.

But beyond the display homes and floor plans, it is important to understand what the cost of building a new home in Brisbane actually looks like. Not just the builder’s advertised base price, but the full scope of costs, including upgrades, site conditions, and the steps you can take to protect your investment as the build progresses.

In this article, we cover key cost factors, typical inclusions and exclusions, and how construction stage inspections help avoid expensive surprises before you move in.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the cost of building a new home in Brisbane starts with knowing what’s included in a base build, and what’s not.
• Average build costs range from $3,000 to $5,500 per square metre, with a typical 226 sqm home costing between $633,000 and $1.1 million.
• Design complexity, block conditions, and your choice of finishes can significantly affect your final price.
• First-home buyers may save thousands through the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant and zero stamp duty on new builds.
• Independent construction inspections help catch issues early and ensure your build meets the right standards from the ground up.

What Does It Cost to Build a Home in Brisbane?

The cost of building a new home in Brisbane in 2025 typically falls between $3,000 and $5,500 per square metre. The total cost depends on the size of your home, your choice of finishes, the complexity of the design, and the condition of your site.

Here is a breakdown based on average house sizes:

Based on 2025 industry data from Mortgage Choice, the ABS, and BuildHer Collective.

The average new home in Queensland is approximately 226 square metres, which places most full home builds between $633,000 and $1.1 million. This estimate does not include the cost of land.

Single or Double Storey?

If you are planning to build a two-storey home, expect to pay more. Adding a second level can increase your build cost by up to $1,000 per square metre. For a typical four-bedroom home, that can result in an additional $200,000 to $260,000 compared to a single-storey version.

This increase is due to additional requirements such as scaffolding, staircases, complex structural engineering, and more trades working at height. The more complex the design, the more it will cost. Efficient design choices can help manage this increase while still achieving your desired layout.

What’s Included in a Base Build?

Builders often advertise attractive ‘starting from’ prices, but these usually refer to the base build only. While this may get the home to the lock-up stage, it rarely includes everything needed to move in.

Typically included in the base price:

• Basic kitchen and bathroom fit-outs
• Floor coverings in select areas
• Standard 2.4-metre ceilings
• Entry-level lighting and fixtures

Often excluded from the base price:

• Driveways, landscaping, and fencing
• Window furnishings
• High-end materials such as stone benchtops
• Siteworks for sloping or challenging blocks
• Bushfire, flood zone or soil compliance
• Independent building inspections

These additional items can easily add $50,000 to $150,000 or more to your build. It is important to clarify exactly what is included in your builder’s quote to avoid budget surprises later.

What Can Impact the Final Cost?

Every build is different. Even when two homes have similar floor plans, the total cost to complete the project can vary widely. That’s because a range of external and design-related factors influence how much you’ll end up spending. 

Understanding these variables early can help you plan your budget more accurately, avoid unnecessary surprises, and make informed decisions throughout your build.

Site Conditions

Sloped land, difficult access, or poor soil conditions may require extra preparation or alternative foundations. This can add both time and money to your project.

Home Size and Layout

A larger floor plan will naturally cost more. Complex layouts or architectural features can increase costs further. Simpler designs often offer better value per square metre.

Type of Builder

Volume builders offer fixed designs and can deliver cost efficiencies, whereas boutique or architect-designed homes provide more flexibility at a higher price point.

Finishes and Fixtures

There is growing demand for premium inclusions such as built-in joinery, feature lighting, custom cabinetry, and natural stone. These upgrades significantly affect your final spend.

Labour and Materials

Construction costs in Brisbane remain affected by trade shortages and rising material prices. These pressures can lead to longer build times and higher quotes.

Council and Compliance Costs

Planning approvals, infrastructure charges, and site-specific requirements such as bushfire or flood compliance can add thousands to your final costs.

Stamp Duty and Government Incentives

There are now even more reasons to consider building rather than buying an existing home in Queensland. Thanks to recent policy updates, the financial gap has widened in favour of new builds, especially for first-home buyers.

1. Stamp Duty Savings on Land

If you’re building, you’ll only pay stamp duty on the land value, not the full value of the completed home. This can translate to significant savings.

• Example: A block of land purchased for $450,000 would attract stamp duty of around $14,175.

By comparison, buying an existing property with a total value of $1.1 million would result in a stamp duty bill of approximately $42,350. That difference could cover upgrades, landscaping, or reduce your loan amount.

2. First Home Buyer Supercharge (Effective 1 May 2025)

For eligible first-home buyers, the latest incentives go even further:

• Zero Stamp Duty on New Builds

First-home buyers now pay no stamp duty when purchasing vacant land to build, or when buying a new home, with no price cap.

• $30,000 First Home Owner Grant Extended

The boosted grant of $30,000 has been extended to cover eligible contracts signed up to 30 June 2026.

These combined incentives could save you tens of thousands, making it easier to get into the market, increase your inclusions, or reduce your overall borrowing.

Why Independent Inspections Are Critical

Even the best builders can overlook small but important details during a build. Trades working on tight timelines can easily miss details, leaving you with defects that are expensive to fix once the walls are sealed.

Construction stage inspections provide an independent review of your home at critical points throughout the build. Ensure every stage meets strict quality standards before the build moves forward

Why Choose Landmark Inspections?

When you are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in your new home, you want to be confident in the quality of the build. Landmark Inspections provides thorough, independent inspections at every major stage of construction.

Our inspectors bring decades of field experience and licensed trade qualifications to your build. We communicate directly with your builder to resolve issues and ensure your home meets Australian standards.

We offer:

• A 250-point inspection checklist tailored to each build stage
• High-resolution photographic reporting
• Clear, cloud-based reports delivered within 24 hours
• Coordination with your builder to ensure defects are addressed
• 12 months of post-inspection support
• Service coverage across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast

Build with Confidence with Landmark Inspections

The cost of building a new home in Brisbane is more than a headline figure. It includes site conditions, compliance requirements, quality of workmanship, and a long list of decisions made along the way.

Protect your investment by confirming exactly what you are paying for and ensuring the work meets high standards. With independent oversight, you gain the certainty that your builder is delivering exactly what was promised.

Landmark Inspections is here to support your build at every stage, from pre-slab to final handover. Our expert inspections identify issues early, stop costly mistakes, and guarantee your builder meets the standards you paid for.

Ready to get started? Book your Brisbane construction inspection now and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

The figures above are ballpark estimates. Your final price will depend on your site, design, and finishes. Use this as a guide, but always get a fixed-price quote from your builder.