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Contracts & Costs

Site Costs in Sydney: The Hidden Budget Item That Can Blow Out a New Home Build

Understand the hidden site costs that affect new home builds in Sydney, including excavation, rock, drainage, access, services, demolition, and retaining walls.

TL;DR Site costs are the costs connected to the land itself, not just the house design. In Sydney, they can include demolition, asbestos, excavation, rock removal, retaining walls, stormwater, service upgrades, crane access, traffic control, tree protection, soil conditions, and difficult site access. Two homes with the same floor plan can cost very different amounts if the sites are different. Introduction When people compare building prices, they often focus on the house. How many square metres? How many bedrooms? What level of finish? That matters, but it is only part of the budget. The land can change everything. A simple house on a difficult Sydney site can cost more than a larger house on a simple site. What Are Site Costs? Site costs are costs needed to prepare, service, access, and…