When you’re dreaming about building your new home, it’s natural to want to know what it might cost. Unfortunately, this is where many builders take advantage of the consumer’s eagerness. One of the most common traps is the “square metre rate” estimate.
On the surface, it sounds simple: take the size of the home and multiply it by a cost per square metre. But this is rarely a true reflection of what you will pay—and it can leave families facing budget blowouts, delays, or disappointment.
At Green Homes Australia (GHA), we choose not to provide “square metre” estimates for one important reason: they don’t serve the consumer.
Why Square Metre Rates Mislead
A low square metre rate is often used as a marketing hook. Competitors publish numbers designed to look appealing but leave out critical details. These rates rarely factor in:
- Site costs – excavation, slope, soil conditions, retaining walls, or rock removal.
- Inclusions – fixtures, finishes, windows, insulation, air-tightness, and other items that dramatically affect both performance and livability.
- Compliance – the required energy efficiency rating for your climate zone, bushfire or flood considerations, and council requirements.
- Design complexity – a simple box may align with a cheap rate, but most families want character, liveability, and efficiency that square metre costs don’t capture.
The result? Consumers are pulled in by a cheap “from $X per m²” headline, only to discover the final contract price can be hundreds of thousands higher.
What Does a Square Metre Estimate Really Include?
In most cases, very little. Builders offering these estimates rarely spell out what’s actually inside the number. Without clear inclusions, you don’t know if you’re comparing a house with:
- Basic single glazing or high-performance windows
- No insulation vs. a thermally efficient, comfortable home
- Standard finishes vs. premium, durable inclusions
- A “bare minimum” approach vs. a house built for energy efficiency and lower running costs
It’s like comparing the sticker price of a car without knowing if the engine is included.
The Green Homes Australia Difference
At Green Homes Australia, we refuse to play the square metre game because we know it misleads consumers. Instead, we provide:
- Transparent, detailed quotes – showing exactly what’s included.
- Designs optimised for energy efficiency – every home is designed for your climate zone, so you save on running costs for decades to come.
- Upfront clarity – no hidden extras, no vague allowances, and no “gotchas” when you’re too far down the track to walk away.
Building a home is the biggest investment most families will ever make. You deserve honesty and precision—not marketing tricks.
5 Questions to Ask Before Believing a Square Metre Estimate
- What’s actually included in this price? (fixtures, finishes, insulation, compliance costs)
- Does this allow for my site conditions? (soil, slope, retaining, services)
- Are energy efficiency requirements for my climate zone included?
- What level of finishes and inclusions are assumed? (e.g. standard vs. premium)
- How often do your “square metre estimates” increase once contracts are signed?
If a builder can’t answer these confidently and in writing, you’re not being given the full story.
Key Takeaway
If you see a builder advertising a price per square metre, ask the question: what exactly does that number include? Chances are, the answer will leave you disappointed. At Green Homes Australia, we build trust the same way we build homes—on solid foundations.