A two-storey house is a house with two levels. The most common style of two storey house is one with a ground floor and an additional top level. Another layout is a sunken house, where the second storey has been set deeper into the ground (like a basement). Two storey houses are generally more expensive than single storeys as there are more considerations and demands on the foundations.
Double storey homes are not as popular in Australia as they are in many other countries. There are a number of reasons for this. For one, much of Australian suburban architecture borrows from the ranch house look of the American Midwest, celebrating single storeys and open plan layouts. Australian land blocks also tend to be much larger than other countries, so homes can be wider and flat rather than tall and skinny.
However, that does not mean that the value of a double storey home is lost on the Australian public. Double storey homes tend to sell much faster than single storeys. As home lots grow smaller and urbanization creeps further outward, more floor space over less land grows more and more appealing. There are a number of benefits to double storey homes, such as:
- More efficient use of space
- Allows for separation of levels to rent or for privacy
- Better views of the surrounding area
- Easier to heat and cool
- More affordable to run in the long term
In fact, many people across Australia are looking at converting their single storey houses into a double storey. See here for the cheapest way to build a second storey on top of an existing single storey house (the process is fascinating!).
There are a number of popular trends sweeping through the nation when it comes to double storey homes. Some commended practices that have taken to the forefront of the double storey scene include symmetrical and cubist facades, mixed materials, and neutral colours such as white, grey or black.
How much to build a double storey house?
On average, the cost to build a double storey house sits between $1,300-$3,900 per square meter. This does not include any of the hidden costs of building a house such as the land block, taxes, architecture fees or internal furnishing.
The average house costs around $320,000 to build in total. Materials, designs, architects and location will all influence the final price tag significantly. A double storey house is more expensive to build than a single storey, though the exact difference varies.
Buying a two storey house is somewhat more expensive. The average Australian house price is just under a million as of 2022. That's not to mention all of the hidden costs of buying a house, including taxes, conveyancing, loan applications, mortgage registration, dorm fees and administrative fees such as insurance and inspections.
However, this doesn't mean that you cannot find double storey homes under $250,000. Cheap two storey homes are available in prefabricated and kit homes at affordable prices – you just have to work a little harder.
Many are turning to these nonconventional low cost two storey house designs as an alternative to the expensive traditional homes that are saturating the already inflated housing market. The only other way to find cheap 2 storey homes under $300,000 in this day and age is to look for project homes – but these would naturally come with huge risks and renovation costs down the line.
Cheap 2 story homes: house plans and home designs for sale from trusted Australian builders
06. Shipping container homes
Shipping container homes are an unconventional home style that has recently taken off among Australian properties for its affordability. Shipping container homes often cost around half the price of a regular home and still afford the same square footage.
There are various sizes of shipping containers, but homeowners are now stacking two or more shipping containers together to create a multi-storey haven with all the amenities of a regular house (and for half the price). Read more about these homes and where to purchase them here.
05. Bahama 4 bedroom with balcony
This stunning mix of private and open plan takes modern design to the next level. Zac Homes presents the Bahama, a spacious 4 bedroom with multiple facades, a large kitchen, living room, rumpus room, alfresco, nook and three bathrooms. Enquire about this stylish contemporary design here.
04. 10m frontage
10m frontage homes are popular all around Australia, but especially in Perth. WA's favourite home retailer Smart Homes For Living provides a variety of 10M frontage home designs that can also be paired with the land on which to build. Their designs are extremely competitive and you can purchase the Newton pictured above – a four bedroom two bathroom with multiple living areas – here in packages starting from $250,000.
03. Tiny homes
Small homes are all the rage when it comes to alternative construction. Tiny and relocatable homes are perfect for a second dwelling, whether you place it on your main property or if you are thinking of purchasing something for the holidays. Read more about tiny display homes and the revenue they create here.
02. 3 bedroom Onyx façade
Dennis family homes is a company of community-trusted home builders based in Melbourne, Victoria. They provide all manner of affordable homes for under $200,000. The Onyx model pictured above is spacious and stylish, with multiple living areas, 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms. Enquire here for more information.
01. Narrow lot kit home
Narrow lots are becoming more and more popular with the rise of the townhouse. The Metro model pictured above by Kithomes is a space efficient alternative to the modern townhouse. It accommodates for a narrow block without sacrificing comfort or space. See here for more on the way that narrow land plots should influence modern design practices.
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