About This Cost Index
This page compiles per-square-metre construction cost data for the most common residential build types across Western Sydney. All figures are based on Buildana's 2025 project data and publicly available industry benchmarks.
The index covers six project types — custom homes, duplexes, knockdown rebuilds, granny flats, townhouses, and boarding houses — broken down by three finish levels (standard, premium, luxury) and five Local Government Areas.
Use this data alongside our free Building Cost Calculator at /tools/building-cost-calculator for a personalised estimate tailored to your project.
Custom Homes — Per Square Metre Costs 2025
Custom homes remain the most popular build type in Western Sydney. Cost varies significantly with finish level, site complexity, and dwelling size.
Standard finish (builder's standard selections): • Fairfield LGA: $2,200–$2,600/m² • Liverpool LGA: $2,300–$2,700/m² • Cumberland LGA: $2,400–$2,800/m² • Blacktown LGA: $2,400–$2,700/m² • Penrith LGA: $2,300–$2,600/m²
Premium finish (upgraded fixtures, stone benchtops, engineered timber floors): • Fairfield LGA: $2,800–$3,400/m² • Liverpool LGA: $2,900–$3,500/m² • Cumberland LGA: $3,000–$3,600/m² • Blacktown LGA: $2,900–$3,500/m² • Penrith LGA: $2,800–$3,400/m²
Luxury finish (architect-designed, premium appliances, custom joinery): • Fairfield LGA: $3,600–$4,800/m² • Liverpool LGA: $3,700–$5,000/m² • Cumberland LGA: $3,800–$5,200/m² • Blacktown LGA: $3,600–$4,800/m² • Penrith LGA: $3,500–$4,600/m²
Typical total cost for a 250sqm 4-bed custom home: $600,000–$1,200,000 (excluding land).
Visit /homes/custom-homes to discuss your custom home project with Buildana.
Duplex Developments — Per Square Metre Costs 2025
Duplexes (two dwellings on one lot) offer strong investment returns and are particularly popular in R3-zoned suburbs.
Standard finish: • Fairfield LGA: $2,700–$2,950/m² • Liverpool LGA: $2,750–$3,000/m² • Cumberland LGA: $2,800–$3,100/m² • Blacktown LGA: $2,650–$2,900/m² • Penrith LGA: $2,600–$2,850/m²
Premium finish: • Fairfield LGA: $3,100–$3,400/m² • Liverpool LGA: $3,150–$3,500/m² • Cumberland LGA: $3,200–$3,600/m² • Blacktown LGA: $3,050–$3,350/m² • Penrith LGA: $3,000–$3,300/m²
Typical total construction cost for a ~350sqm duplex (both dwellings): $920,000–$1,200,000.
Site costs (demolition, earthworks, services): Add 6–10% of construction cost. Council and approval fees: $45,000–$65,000.
For a detailed real-numbers duplex breakdown, see our guide: /insights/sydney-duplex-cost-breakdown-2025. Visit /duplex/duplex-developments to speak with our duplex team.
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Granny Flats — Per Square Metre Costs 2025
Granny flats (secondary dwellings up to 60sqm) are the most cost-effective way to add rental income or accommodate family.
Standard finish: • All LGAs: $2,600–$3,000/m² (smaller footprint increases per-m² rate)
Premium finish: • All LGAs: $3,200–$3,800/m²
Typical total cost for a 60sqm 2-bed granny flat: • Standard: $156,000–$180,000 • Premium: $192,000–$228,000
Approval fees (CDC pathway): $3,000–$8,000. Professional fees (design, engineer, surveyor): $10,000–$15,000.
Most granny flats qualify for fast-tracked CDC approval — see /insights/granny-flat-rules-nsw-2026. Visit /homes/granny-flats for granny flat builds by Buildana.
Knockdown Rebuilds — Per Square Metre Costs 2025
Knockdown rebuilds are increasingly popular in established suburbs where the land is prime but the existing house is outdated.
Construction costs per sqm are similar to custom homes, with the addition of demolition:
Demolition costs (single-storey house, includes asbestos survey): • Standard demolition: $25,000–$40,000 • With asbestos removal: $35,000–$60,000
Rebuild costs follow custom home pricing (see above).
Total project cost for a knockdown rebuild of a 220sqm home: • Standard finish: $540,000–$620,000 (including demolition) • Premium finish: $660,000–$810,000 • Luxury finish: $830,000–$1,100,000
Visit /homes/knockdown-rebuilds for more information. Use our calculator at /tools/building-cost-calculator to model your specific project.
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Townhouses & Boarding Houses — Per Square Metre Costs 2025
Multi-dwelling projects require larger budgets but offer strong returns at scale.
Townhouses (3–6 dwellings): • Standard finish: $1,900–$2,300/m² per dwelling • Premium finish: $2,400–$3,000/m² per dwelling • Total for a 4-unit townhouse project (~600sqm total): $1,140,000–$1,800,000
Boarding houses (SEPP Housing 2021): • Construction: $1,800–$2,200/m² • Typical 10-room boarding house (~350sqm): $630,000–$770,000 construction • Total with land, approvals, fit-out: $1,500,000–$2,200,000 • Gross rental yield: 7–10% in Western Sydney
Visit /commercial/boarding-houses or /duplex/townhouse-projects for project enquiries.
Disclaimer: All costs are indicative guides based on 2025 market conditions. Actual costs vary by site, design, and market conditions. Contact Buildana at /contact for a site-specific fixed-price quote.
