Is timber frame construction cheaper than double brick?

Thinking of building a home or renovating and not sure what construction method to choose?
Wondering which construction method is the cheapest?
 
The number one question we get asked here at Distinct Renovations is:
How much will I save if I build timber frame vs double brick construction?

The answer to everyone’s question is: it depends on what you are building.

If you are building a brand-new home on a very level block with no features and basic specification it may be best to go through a volume builder. They will more than likely come in cheaper given their buying power.

If you are building a home on a sloped block, timber frame construction will be the better option as you can build a timber joist floor and build it on the slope with little site works involved.  Take a drive out to the Perth hills and you will see what I mean. We also recently completed a timber frame granny flat extension using this method of timber joist floor to a home in Greenwood which had a front sloping block.

When you are considering an out of the ordinary home with several features such as skillion roofs with high light windows, built in cabinetry, bench seats and/or a detailed front façade, then timber frame construction will be cheaper. This is due to timber being a much more flexible construction material to build with which also makes the build run a lot quicker too.

Bricks are much harder to work with than timber they take up a lot more space which prevents the ability to design intricate homes and extensions. Bricks are a heavy-duty material to build with hence their preference over timber, in some cases. However, timber, being a light weight form of construction, you can work with just about any design desired.  A recent job we completed in North Fremantle clearly reflects the ability to work with such complex design details. See pictures below.

If you are after a well-designed home that caters for solar passive design, pretty facades and feature packed specs, Distinct Renovations should beat volume builders on price all day, every day so long as you compare apples with apples.

Furthermore, when discussing a home extension timber will in most cases be cheaper due to the ease and speed of building on, and/or, up, but again it will depend on the design.

In the eastern states of Australia timber frame construction will in 99% of cases be cheaper than double brick due to the cost of materials and labour over east. However over west thanks to Midland Bricks 1970’s marketing campaign around termites and the durability of brick, Western Australians have fallen in love with bricks! Especially around the sandy Perth Metro areas. This in turn has reduced the cost of materials and labour based on supply and demand metrics.  

Furthermore, bricks, in Western Australia are even cheaper given the current economic slump we have had here in Perth, which has also led to a drop-in labour cost.  Given the above, the volume builders can keep their costs down and build you a low cost, low spec and simple double brick, Perth style home on the cheap when compared with like for like homes in timber frame construction.

Further to this carpentry in Perth can be quite expensive as there is a lower demand compared with the eastern states. There are less carpenters in Perth that can build you a quality full timber frame home as most carpenters in Perth are either roof carpenters or fix out carpenters.  Making it ever more important to choose your tradies right when dealing with timber frame construction.

Considering all the above points and to answer the age-old question of which method of construction is cheaper in Western Australia it is safe to say that in most cases timber frame construction will be cheaper if the build involves more complex design details and specifications. However one thing you can be sure of is that the timing of the build will be significantly quicker, given the flexibility  of timber when building timber frame construction.

But don’t take my word for it, if you have plans and or you are thinking of designing your home extension or new custom-built home contact us now and ask us how we can help you.

We know how to make your home stand out from the crowd, check out our recent works, we don’t like to follow what the volume builders do, we make sure your individuality and style is reflected in all our work. So that you get to live in your dream new home or renovation as soon as possible.