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uilding a home is an exciting journey, one that is filled with anticipation and planning. From selecting the right design to watching your property take shape, each stage of construction is an important step toward creating your dream space. At Builders Brisbane, we are committed to delivering quality construction in a timely manner. Here’s a detailed guide to the typical build times for the various types of structures we offer:
Granny Flats: Typically 3-4 Months: If you are looking for a small and quick housing solution, granny flats are a great option. They have a compact design and can be built in a short span of time. We take care of every step of the process, from planning to execution, to ensure that your tiny home is ready in 3-4 months.
Loswet Homes: Typically 5 Months: Lowset homes, or single-storey homes, are more complex to build than granny flats. They usually take about 5 months to finish, but this may vary depending on the size of the floor plan. Lowset homes are suitable for families who need more space and comfort.
Double-Storey Homes: Typically 7 Months:
Building a double-storey home requires more time than a single-storey one. These homes are large and luxurious, and they usually take about 7 months to complete. Some of the factors that increase the time frame are the use of steel beams, different types of cladding, multi-level roofs, and scaffolding that needs to be set up and removed.
Duplexes: Typically 7 Months: Duplexes are a type of housing that have two units attached by a common wall. They usually take about 7 months to construct and can offer some advantages over single-family homes. For example, duplexes can make efficient use of land and provide a source of rental income for the owners.
Extending Build Duration: Landscaping and Other Considerations
While we strive to meet the timelines mentioned above, there are factors that may extend the build duration by up to a month. Here's a look at some common considerations:
Landscaping: The aesthetic appeal of outdoor spaces is vital. Custom landscaping can add weeks to the construction process, depending on the complexity of the design.
Weather Conditions: Unpredictable weather can lead to delays. Rain, strong winds, or extreme temperatures might hinder the progress of construction. Living in Queensland, we have some amazing weather during the winter and large amounts of rain in Summer. Keep in mind the seasons when talking time frames.
Permit and Inspection Delays: There are various factors that can affect the duration of a construction project. One of them is the legal and regulatory aspect, which involves obtaining the necessary permits and passing the required inspections. These processes can sometimes cause delays or interruptions in the work, depending on the availability and efficiency of the authorities. At times, it is important to plan ahead and anticipate any potential issues that might arise from this aspect.
Customisation:If you choose to add or modify certain aspects of the construction, it might extend the timeline depending on the complexity of the changes.
At Builders Brisbane, based in Ormeau, South East Queensland, we take pride in our craftsmanship and commitment to timelines. We understand that your home is more than just a building; it's a personal space that reflects your taste and lifestyle. That’s why we work closely with you to ensure that every detail is attended to, even if it means spending a little extra time to get it just right.Should you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help you build the home of your dreams, or an amazing investment to catapult you to a brighter financial future.
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So, if you happen to reside in Brisbane, perhaps you're an avid property investor with your finger on the pulse or even just a casual consumer of the news, undoubtedly
you would have become acutely aware of the dire housing shortage we're currently facing in the sunshine state. With an ever growing population and the highest interstate migration of any state over the last two years, it seems every refresh of our vacancy data brings with it another dip!
An article published by Eliza Owen for Corelogic in September 2022 provides a stark outlook on the current demands placed on the Brisbane rental market where another record year of internal migration has placed an excessive strain on the demand for available rental properties. Now, for scope the REIQ (Real Estate Institute of Queensland) defines a healthy rental market as one that balances a vacancy rate somewhere between 2.5 - 3.6%.. So with a present vacancy rate well below an average of 1% across the city we sit in a position of chronic undersupply and bluntly quite a tricky predicament.
Now of course for those of you who study the property cycle closely, there is a very clear understanding of what is to follow such an influx. Inflating demand and a dwindling supply? All of that pressure makes for a highly competitive environment and it's only a matter of time before we see an escalation take place in the amounts being asked for in rent. From March 2020 to present, we have seen a whopping 23% rise in rental figures, exacerbating the pain threshold for many renters, especially in the low income sector.
Beyond migration fueled dwindling stock supplies, investigative work conducted by the team at Matusik Property Insights has illuminated further disparity in the supply and demand model for those Australian households in need of multigenerational living standards.
Per Matusik, at present one in five of Australia’s households hold two generations and some ten percent hold three generations. These figures are expected to rise to around 25% and 15%, respectively, within the next decade. Conversely though, less than 5% of Australia's housing stock caters to this demographic - yet another complexity to the rising demand for suitable and affordable housing.
As an immediate mechanism to curb these housing conditions, the QLD government has taken action - as of September 26, 2022 removing the usage restrictions previously applied to secondary dwellings and opening up the ability for homeowners to rent out granny flats to anyone.
In a press release made by the Queensland Government it was referenced that the hope for these changes would be to pave the way for increased and more accessible housing options for Queenslanders.
Changes To Secondary Dwellings Usage!
So what are the key changes that I need to know about?
Usage:
Prior to September 26, many council areas in Brisbane had very specific usage restrictions applied to secondary dwellings. In short - although you could potentially build a secondary dwelling in many council areas, outside of Logan City and Ipswich City this dwelling had to be occupied either by family members OR under the same lease agreement as the main dwelling. Moving forward, all secondary dwellings in Queensland will be able to be rented out separately from the main home.
Are Councils Charging Contribution Fees?
Under the secondary dwelling code, the majority of councils do not levy an infrastructure fee to construct a secondary dwelling. Though this will certainly vary on a council by council basis.
Are There Restrictions On Size?
Yes! In order to maintain compliancy you still have to adhere to the council specific requirements for a secondary dwelling. These requirements differ from council to council and will relate to items such as: floor plan size, parking requirements, frontage/lot size, site coverage etc.
How Long Are These Changes Being Made For?
For the time being the Queensland Government has indicated that they will review these changes in 3 years to measure impacts. If they deem the impacts to be negative it is possible they may change the rules back. Conversely if they have been seen to be positive they may become permanent.
What Happens If The Rules Change Back?
Fortunately in this instance there is protection afforded under Queensland planning law and you would be permitted to continue renting your secondary dwelling separately if:
- All requirements relating to the council's design standards for a secondary dwelling had been met at the time of construction
- You have obtained formal building approval for the secondary dwelling; and
- You started leasing the secondary dwelling separately before the rules changed
About
Sean Wilson
As a third-generation designer and builder, I have building in my blood. I've been designing and building my whole life. Specialising in management and company building, we have built an amazing team in Builders Brisbane to bring your dreams into reality!
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