Cordell Reveals Comparative Expenses for NSW Building
Canberra on average has the most expensive building costs in comparison to Sydney according to recent research by Cordell Building Information Services.
Using the research, Cordell has developed the Cordell Location Cost Factor as a useful tool for comparing between one location and another within each State in Australia. The Location Factor is made up of twenty separate factors, one for each of the major trade categories, which are then combined to form an overall factor for a complete project.
The Cordell Location Cost Factor indicates that Port Macquarie currently has on average the cheapest building costs, spread across the various trade categories. Maitland follows as the next cheapest and then Albury-Wodonga, Gosford, Newcastle and Wagga Wagga. Wollongong is third most expensive, following Canberra then Sydney.
However, within each different trade categories there are variations on which regional city is most expensive or cheapest.
Wollongong is the most expensive city for Brickwork, Excavation and Joinery.
Canberra is significantly more expensive when it comes to Carpentry, Insulation and Plumbing.
Gosford is the most expensive place for Roof Plumbing, however it is the cheapest place for Electrical.
Newcastle is the most expensive for Electrical and Doors. Gosford and Wagga Wagga are also expensive for Doors while Canberra and Albury- Wodonga are the cheapest areas.
While Doors and Insulation are cheap in Albury-Wodonga, Roofing is considerably more expensive there than in other regional areas.
Port Macquarie is the cheapest area for Brickwork, Carpentry, Insulation (along with Albury- Wodonga) Plumbing, Roofing, and Glazing.
Despite being cheap for most trade categories, Port Macquaries is actually the most expensive town for Plastering.
Maitland is the cheapest place for Excavation, Plumbing and Plastering, but is the most expensive place for Glazing.
When it comes to Painting and Tiling, all regional areas are cheaper than the capital city, Sydney.