For the absence of confusion, a two-storey or double storey home means a residential building with two or more floors or storeys.

As space becomes a premium and we use our homes as offices, as well as spaces to live and entertain, two storey homes in Perth are becoming increasingly popular. And, when it comes to building your home, Novus Homes has everything you need.

At Novus Homes we have a range of stunning two storey home designs with floor plans to suit all popular block sizes. Not only to suit your budget, but your lifestyle too.

You can choose from our premium range of two storey homes, aptly named the Signature Series, or for those more budget conscious home builders we recommend you look at our exciting range of two storey house designs created to achieve that luxury feel with a more economical price point, named the Vision Series (previously Vision One).

What are the advantages of building a two-storey home? 

Building a double storey house has a number of advantages, both practical and aesthetic. Adding a second storey allows you to maximise your use of your block of land. It also means you can create a home that fulfils all your needs, as well as future proofing where you live.

Space

The biggest and most obvious benefit to building a two-storey home is the additional space it creates. Adding a second storey offers you the chance to create a generous home office, games area or theatre room, as well as catering for potential overnight guests and making sure every family member has their own living space.

Building a two-storey home is also a great way to get more space on a narrow lot, so that you don’t have to compromise when building the home of your dreams.

Privacy

Linked to the extra space is the potential for privacy that a second-storey offers. Many two-storey home designs in Perth include a parental retreat, allowing parents their own upstairs living area, walk-in robe and en-suite as an oasis away from everyday family life. Other popular uses of a second storey include guest bedrooms or space for extra storage. Novus Homes tailors our 2 storey house designs for our clients, so you can make sure your second storey suits your family.

Views

Building a two-storey home in Perth allows you to take advantage of sensational views. Perth is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with many two-storey homes having beach or river views. A second storey also gives homeowners the chance to have a balcony or second al-fresco space.

Multi-generational zones

Two-storey home designs are a great opportunity to create multi-generational zones, which are particularly relevant now that adult children are taking longer to move out of home.

Creating separate spaces for different family members lends itself to multi-generational family living, where households have both grandparents and young children living with them.

Double storey home building considerations?

As with every building project, there are things you need to consider when building your dream double-storey home. Opting for a larger, multi-level home could increase your building time and costs, as well as requiring more maintenance in the long term.

Building time

The build time on a two-storey home is likely to be longer than if you are building a single-storey because you will have more trades involved. There’s more complexity involved in the framing, you will need to construct staircases and suspend a concrete slab or timber/steel joist system to support the second storey. The planning permission you require might be more intricate, leading to delays at this stage too. Rest assured, Novus Homes can help you navigate planning.

Maintenance

Maintaining a double-storey house is likely to be more expensive than maintaining a single-storey house due to the extra space involved. Energy costs increase for a larger space and it will cost more to clean and furnish a larger home.

Cost

When considering if you’d like to build a single-storey home or a double-storey home, cost will play a major part. The greater complexity of the work, as well as increased labour and materials make building a two-storey home more expensive than building a single-storey home. It’s worth having an honest conversation with your two-storey home builder to get a picture of the costs involved.

On the positive side, a two-storey home is likely to be worth more than a single-storey home on completion.

How long does it take to build a two-storey home?

How long it takes to build a two-storey home in Perth depends on the design you choose, as well as the level of finishes and the complexity of the block. Sloping blocks or lots with limited access are likely to extend the build time.

In the current environment, with the labour and materials shortages that WA is experiencing, building a home can take anything from 12 to 24 months.

Choosing a reputable and well-known two-storey builder, with experience of building in your area, is the best way to reduce your build time and make sure you end up with a home that you’re happy with.

What does it cost to build a two-storey house?

Again, how much it costs to build a two-storey home will depend on the design you select. Its size and how much customisation it involves will dictate its costs. The higher the quality the finishes on everything from roofing and windows to interiors, the higher the price. 

The location of your home and its accessibility can also push the price up, as can its structural requirements. It’s important to discuss construction costs with your builder before you begin your build so there are no nasty surprises. Luxury custom builds can easily cost over $1 million dollars, while more standard homes will be closer to half that price.

How Novus Homes can help

Need help from a professional building consultant to choose a two-storey home design that's perfect for you? Get in touch and we can help design or customise an existing 2-storey house plan to your needs.

Narrow lot two storey home designs to suit most block sizes

We have a two storey home design to suit almost any block size, from our narrow lot two storey homes and rear lane 2 storey floor plans to our much wider homes that are designed to fit blocks that are 15M wide, 17M wide and 18M wide.

Luxury two storey display homes in Perth

Want to get a taste of what is possible? Why not visit one of our luxury two storey display homes in Perth. Many or our display homes have taken home awards and we are certain you will love our attention to detail, our outstanding quality and bespoke design features.

Our display homes are typically open on the weekend too.

Custom designed 2 storey home designs to match your lifestyle

Need help from a professional building consultant to chose a home design that's perfect for you? Get in touch and we can help customise an existing 2 storey house plan to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

While our friendly team is more than happy to help with any questions you might have, why not check our FAQs to see if your query has already been answered.

Is building a two-storey home a good investment?

Building a two-storey home tend to be worth more and can be a good investment, provided you choose the right location, and budget. A double-storey home often has a higher resale value than a single-storey due to its potential views and curb appeal. And the housing market in Perth remains buoyant, with the housing shortage keeping prices high.

Before you build, it’s worth considering what you are aiming to achieve. Are you looking to make a profit with a quick sale, or build a long-term home for yourself. This will inform the decisions you make.

Is it cheaper to buy a home or build one?

Whether it’s cheaper to buy or build a home is determined on a case to case basis. With house prices continuing to rise, there is definitely merit to building your own home. It also allows you to design the home that you want, without having to compromise.

You do need to be aware that building a home is likely to take considerably longer than buying one, which can impact costs.

Is it worth building a second storey? 

From a financial point of view, if you can afford to build a second-storey, it will offer you a better return. It will likely create more liveable space, enhanced functionality and a better resale value.

If you are building a forever home, make sure to factor in accessibility and consider putting in a lift or including a downstairs bathroom and bedroom in your floor plan. Consulting an experienced luxury two-storey home builder like Novus Homes is the best way to get the design that suits you.

Is it a good time to build?

This depends on your point of view. Material costs are high and there are currently labour shortages, but there is high demand for property and a number of government grants to make building your own home more affordable.