Is it cheaper to build a double storey house?
When starting the building process many people wonder: is it cheaper to build a double storey house?
Building a double storey home is more expensive than building a single storey house. This is because it takes more time, materials and labour to build a double storey house.
There are many factors that affect the cost of building a double storey house. These include the location of the land, the size and design of the property, and the cost of materials and labour in that area.
Therefore, it is cheaper to build a single storey house than to build a double storey house.
Do you really need a double storey home?
A double storey home is a perfect choice for families who would like to have their own private space and also have the option of living with their parents. The children can have their own rooms on the upper floor, while the parents can live on the ground floor.
It is also a good choice for those who want to take advantage of any views, or still have a good size home on a smaller block of land, because two storey homes take up less of a footprint on the block of land, meaning you can have more room for a garden or perhaps a swimming pool.
Pros and cons of building a double storey home
Building a double storey home is an option for people who want to live in a house with more space and better views. The main advantage of this type of construction is that it provides more living space, as generally the total square metres of living space is greater in a double storey home than a single storey home.
As a general rule, 2 storey homes also have better views as they obviously can achieve a greater elevation than a single storey home. This is made even more advantageous if you add a balcony to your double storey home.
On the downside, 2 storey homes take longer to build and are slightly more expensive than single storey houses.
The main disadvantage of this type of construction is that it requires more materials and labour than a single-storey home, so the final cost will be higher.
Pros:
- More living space
- Better views
Cons:
- More expensive
How to make a single storey home feel like a larger 2 storey home
If you love the idea of a two-storey home but you are wondering if there is a way for you to have it without spending too much money, then the answer is yes. You can get away with a single storey home as long as it has a few features that make it feel like you are living in a two-storey home.
A few features that might make your single storey house feel like a two-storey one include:
- A large kitchen and dining area - this will give your house an open feeling and will make it seem bigger than it really is.
- Split - level - this will also make your house feel like it has more space.
- An open floor plan - this will allow the light to flow through the entire house.
- A large window - this will make your house feel like it has more space.
- Large windows or a facade with double height windows - these features will give the illusion that your home is actually higher than it really is.
Summary - Is it cheaper to build a double storey house?
While there is an argument to say that the cost of building has been relatively stable, and two storey homes have become more affordable due to various innovative construction techniques, it would be rare for a two storey home to be less expensive than a similar sized single storey home due to more materials, labour and time needed to build a 2 storey home.
In our view it will always remain more expensive than building a single storey home.