Choosing Between a Single or Double Storey Home | Domaine Homes (2024)

Builders Guide/17.09.21

After deciding to build a new home, one of the very first questions you will be asked by a consultant is “Are you after a single storey or double storey home?”. If this question has caught you a bit off guard and you’re finding it impossible to weigh out which kind of home to go for, we have the answers for you!

There are just a few things that you need to consider…

Budget

In relation to home sizes, double storey homes tend to always be more expensive than single storey homes. Ultimately, building up tends to be more complicated than building out and costs more with extra scaffolding and onsite safety compliance. Generally, it costs 30% more to build a double storey home than a single storey the same size, so depending on your home budget this may factor into your decision!

Land Size

Another big thing to consider when choosing your home is the dimensions of your lot of land! If you happen to have a narrow lot and a bigger family, then the reasonable choice would be to build a double storey home. However, if you have acreage and a lot of space to fill, then a single storey may be more suitable! To put it simply, single storey homes occupy more space which can compromise the size of all the rooms in your home unlike double storey designs which can create more space for your outdoor area and multiple living rooms!

Lot Dimensions

Not only do you need to consider the size of your lot when choosing your home, but also the dimensions. Ultimately, the layout of your home needs to coincide with the layout of your land and because of this, it’s not uncommon for specific blocks to require either a single or double storey home to fit. This can be the case for corner blocks, sloped blocks or super narrow blocks. If you’re unsure about the dimensions of your current land, it may be best speaking with a professional to gain some insight about this!

Property Regulations

This point may not play a significant role as much as the others when factoring whether to choose a single or double storey home, but it can be a potential factor if you bought land in an estate or neighbourhood with specific design regulations. Some estates require certain types of facades that you may only like with a single storey design, or you may have purchased a block on a street with predominantly double storey homes, convincing you to do the same.

Personal Reasons

Finally, if you’ve weighed out all measures that factor in your block of land, then the last thing you will need to consider is your personal living situation! If you wish to have a bigger family in the future, then it may be worth committing to a double storey with more rooms and living spaces. On the other hand, if you may have trouble using the stairs, then it may be more suitable to select a single storey design. At the end of the day, you can predict your living needs better than anyone else, so have a think about this one!