100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

The cost of building materials is soaring amid record house-and-land sales

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Coast’s first full-service hotel in 30 years tops out

A new 12-storey hotel in the heart of the Sunshine Coast has officially reached its highest point, with the development on track to open More

Development with 152 units proposed for CBD

A five-storey development with 152 one-bedroom ‘rooming’ units has been proposed for the heart of Nambour. The proposal covers seven lots totalling 2792sqm on the More

Couple appeals refusal of beachfront rebuild plans

An appeal has been launched in the Planning and Environment Court after a council rejected a couple’s bid to redevelop their beachfront property. Linda and More

Sunshine Coast back on top for regional migration

The Sunshine Coast has reclaimed its position as Australia’s number one regional migration destination for people moving from capital cities. The rapidly growing beach haven More

Property price surge drives buyers to the Coast

A leading property developer is urging buyers to invest at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, with record Brisbane housing prices having a More

Coast property prices increase 82 per cent in five years

Sunshine Coast property prices continue to climb, with new data highlighting their meteoric rise. The region’s median house price soared to $1.22 million in August, More

Homebuyers have been urged to negotiate fixed-price contracts as the cost of building materials soars, with some key products like plumbing undergoing several price hikes in recent months.

Government building incentives and low interest loans have had a huge impact but so too have other COVID-related issues.

“There is no doubt we are seeing significant upward pricing pressures particularly since November 2020,” Metricon Queensland general manager Luke Fryer said about South East Queensland.

Metricon Queensland general manager Luke Fryer.

“A fixed price contract is an absolute key as inflationary and cost increases through both supply chain and trade are significantly more than they have been in previous years.”

He said the building industry costs were now at double the normal inflation rate.

Mr Fryer reported some Metricon suppliers were having logistical problems due to material importing delays or because of production slowdowns as a result of enforced factory shutdown periods.

Master Builders regional manager Nicola Scott said timber frame costs had gone up 10 to 18 per cent and there have been three price increases in plumbing hardware in the last three months.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au

“There is a shortage of timber whiteboard for cabinet carcasses, delays in window supply requiring additional certified site visits, roofing costs increasing significantly with delays being experienced and 30 per cent increase for block layers,” she added.

Ms Scott also said trade shortages were being reported, particularly carpenters and tilers.

“It’s purely as a result of demand outstripping supply in addition to the complications that many manufacturers have had due to COVID,” Mr Fryer said.

Luckily, many of the major manufacturers have been proactive in securing their supply chain. Since November Metricon has been purchasing key items immediately a customer’s fixed-price contract is signed, well ahead of the construction start.

Ms Scott recommended before a person entered a construction or renovation contract for works over $3300, they get more than one quote, seek legal advice and contact QBCC to check the service provider has a current licence.

And be prepared to compromise on fittings choices Ms Scott added.

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article 

There are few signs the industry is going to slow down in the near future.

“The once feared waterfall of the end of Homebuilder is now no fear at all,” Mr Fryer said.

By December, 60 per cent of his new home sales were to Homebuilder grant holders.

Post-Christmas that number dropped to 30 per cent with more Queenslanders, who have sold their home to “domestic migrators”, sometimes for a tidy profit, now looking to build.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share