What does a Passive House in Melbourne Cost?

Building a new home in Melbourne is an exciting prospect, but estimating the cost for builders and developing a budget can also be overwhelming. A myriad of factors need to be considered when estimating the cost of building a sustainable home in Melbourne, and each one can significantly impact the final price. In this blog, we'll look at the aspects that need to be considered when estimating the cost of building a high-performance home or passive house.

Site Location and challenges

The site location is one of the most important factors to consider when estimating the cost of building a new home. The site itself can impact the build cost, with some construction sites requiring more preparation than others. Items that need to be considered include

The slope of the block

The slope of the block is an important factor to consider when estimating the cost of building a new home in Melbourne. Building on a sloping block can be more complex and require additional preparation work, such as excavation or retaining walls. These types of site preparations can add to the overall cost of the build.

Access

Access to the site is another critical factor to consider when estimating the cost of building a new home in Melbourne. A site with limited access may require additional work to bring in materials and equipment, which can increase the overall cost of the build. Many of our projects in the inner west of Melbourne have tight access, and sometimes we can't even get a machine onsite. This needs to be considered when deciding what foundations work best for this project and getting materials delivered to the project.

Similarly, sites with restricted access may require more careful planning to ensure that materials and equipment can be delivered safely and efficiently. This may require additional coordination with local authorities or neighbouring properties.

Existing Site Conditions

Existing site conditions are also important to consider when estimating the cost of building a new home in Melbourne. For example, a site with existing trees or vegetation may require additional preparation work to clear the area for construction. Similarly, a site with existing structures may require demolition before construction begins. We constantly deal with many projects within a heritage overlay, so knocking down the building is not an option. As passive house builders, we must consider how to get the old section of the house airtight and our best options to get thicker insulation into the building. What can be challenging is when we have heritage single-glazed windows that need to be performing better. This requires consultation and collaboration with a passive house architect to work through these types of issues so we can build your home high performing within your budget.

It's important to carefully assess the existing site conditions to determine what work will be required before construction can begin. This will allow for more accurate cost estimates and a smoother construction process.

Impact of Neighbours

The impact of neighbours is another site factor that can impact the cost of building a new home in Melbourne. Neighbouring properties can impact the construction process in several ways, including:

- Shared boundaries: Building on a shared boundary may require additional approvals and coordination with the neighbouring property owner. This can increase the time and cost of the build.

- Overlooking: Neighbouring properties may overlook the building site, which can impact privacy and require additional design considerations, such as screening or landscaping.

- Access and parking: Neighbouring properties may impact access and parking during construction. This may require additional planning and coordination to ensure the construction process is maintained.

It's important to consider the impact of neighbouring properties when estimating the cost of building a Passive house in Melbourne. We can be open that we have had challenges from our own site in Yarraville, where we have had several complications surrounding these issues as we want to build a certified Passive House. From the outset, my partner and I have wanted to work with our neighbours to ensure they are happy through this process, as we understand it has a significant impact on their lives.

The Complexity of the Architecture

The complexity of the architecture is another factor that can impact the cost of building a sustainable home in Melbourne. A home with a simple design and layout will typically be less expensive to build than a complex one. We work with many passive house architects in Melbourne who are great at working within your budget to ensure performance is the number one priority.

Some factors that can increase the complexity of the architecture include:

- Multiple levels

- Unique shapes and angles

- Detail of joinery and interior design

- What type of cladding is being used

- Type and style of the roof

Each of these factors will increase the complexity of the build, which can drive up the cost. As passive house builders, we don't care what the home looks like, this is a personal choice, and over time we have learnt to appreciate everyone enjoys a different style of home. What we care about is those details, such as what windows and glazing you're working with, how we will get this home airtight, how our mechanical ventilation will be run and what foundations we are working with. 

Footings

The footings of a home are the foundation upon which the house is built. The type of footings required will depend on the site's soil conditions, with some soil types requiring more extensive footings than others.

The type of footings required can significantly impact the cost of the build. For example, a site with poor soil conditions may require piers or deep foundations, which can be expensive to install. Homes in the inner west and north of Melbourne can have some very challenging soil profiles to deal with. We are constantly digging deeper to get through that volatile clay, dealing with rock and building some complex slabs and footings that need to deal with these issues.

Location

The location of the building site can also impact the cost of building a new home in Melbourne. Sites located in rural or regional areas may have higher transportation costs associated with bringing materials and labour to the site. Similarly, sites located in urban areas may have more restrictive building regulations that can increase the cost of the building. Having said that, projects with plenty of space mean it's easy to get machinery in to move things around, meaning there is less reliance on manual labour.

Level of Energy Efficiency

The level of energy efficiency of a home is becoming an increasingly important factor to consider when estimating the cost of building a Passive House or high-performance home in Melbourne. Many builders and homeowners opt for energy-efficient features, such as double-glazed windows, insulation, air tightness, mechanical ventilation and solar panels.

While these features can increase the upfront cost of the build, they can also provide long-term cost savings in the form of reduced energy bills. Additionally, energy-efficient homes will provide you with a healthier and more comfortable home. We are currently trying to understand if there is a premium for building a passive house home in Melbourne. The gap has been bridged recently to a point where building to a higher energy efficiency standard is much closer than people think, especially since the minimum requirement of a 7 star home has been adopted by the 2022 NCC. 

We consider ourselves an expert in this field and have plenty of experience working with clients and passive house architects to ensure we optimise energy efficiency within the client's budget.

As you can see, estimating and understanding the cost of building a sustainable home or passive house in Melbourne is a complex process that requires careful consideration. This is why it's so important to get a builder involved early with a Passive House architect so we can all work in a collaborative environment to do our best to make sure your budget matches your brief.