The Benefits of Building a 2-Storey House vs. Buying
A two-storey house is the perfect way to get all of the space you need without sacrificing land, style or comfort. But like anything, there are factors to weigh up before making your final decision.
Is it better to build a house or buy one? How does that affect the overall costs? And do you need a second storey, or would it be more suitable to stick to a single-storey home?
In this article, we look at what’s involved in building a two-storey house vs. buying a house to help you decide what the house of your dreams is.
The pros of building a two-storey house
One of the biggest benefits of building a house vs buying one is that you can design it from scratch. That means that you can plan every floorboard, cupboard or brick (within reason) to make sure that you get exactly what you want. And those bespoke benefits don’t stop there.
Location
When you build a house, home buyers can choose its location. You don’t have to compromise on the street, the neighbourhood, or the view because you have fallen in love with the house.
If you want to live by the ocean, you can search for blocks of land by the beach and build your dream house there. If you want to be closer to the river or the city, you can look for land in those neighbourhoods.
Personalisation
Perhaps the most exciting part of building a new home is the choices that it offers. Whether you’re opting for an existing design, customising or starting from scratch, you can choose exactly what you want. No matter how many renovations you plan to undertake, this is not the case if you buy an existing house.
That means you don’t have to compromise or accept a bathroom or kitchen you don’t like because you like the rest of the house. Ultimately, you know yourself best, so why not live in a home that reflects that.
Space
As part of that bespoke process, if you build a house, you can determine how much space you need and want. And if it’s a two-storey, that can be a large amount. Even if you have purchased a narrow lot, our clever two-storey home designs can ensure we maximise the space to give you all the room that you need.
Privacy
If you buy rather than build, you will have limited control over what overlooks your home, or your proximity to neighbouring buildings. While you can add privacy features to an existing property, if you build your home, you can ensure they’ve already been integrated.
Then there’s the privacy you can integrate inside your home. If you opt for a two-storey home, you can create separate spaces for older children or overnight guests in your floor plan, if they are needed, or different zones in the house for different functions.
What to consider when building a two-storey house
When you’re trying to decide whether it’s better to build a house or buy one, you do have to consider what’s involved in the building process.
Building time
If time is of the essence, it may make sense to buy a new home, as building a house will take longer than simply purchasing one. Depending on the design and size of the house, you could also find your build delayed by waiting for building materials or labour shortages.
Additionally, there's also the issue of compliance. In Perth, all new houses must comply with strict energy efficiency standards set by the government. This means that your two-storey home will need to meet certain criteria in order to be approved for construction. However, the same rules apply for building a single-storey home in Perth.
Maintenance
Once the property has been constructed, a larger two-storey will require more maintenance than a single-storey home. If the home is bigger, there is more to maintain.
You also have additional surface area of the home, plus the challenge of getting onto the roof to maintain gutters and other general maintenance. Finding a reliable maintenance company or handyman should be enough to allay these concerns.
Bills & Utilities
Similarly to maintenance, the larger your home is, the higher the bills and utilities are likely to be. This is true regardless of whether you are building a property or buying an existing home.
An advantage of building over buying is that you can opt for energy efficient fixtures and fittings, and consider renewable options like solar panels to lower your monthly bills.
Getting the bigger picture
When it comes to deciding whether or not a two-storey house is right for you, you must weigh up what’s involved carefully. For some people, the extra space, yard and privacy are worth the increased maintenance and other costs.
In summary
Once you’ve decided whether you want a two-storey home or a single-storey home, your next decision is whether to build one or buy one. If time is your main concern, then buying a home may be the best option for you. However, if time isn't an issue and you want complete control over your home's layout, features and finishes then building from scratch may be a better option.
Ultimately only YOU can decide what's best for YOU, so do your research before making any major decisions! We have a selection of designs and display homes that you can visit if you need help making your decision.