It’s one of the first questions almost every client asks us:

“Are shed homes actually cheaper to build than a traditional brick and tile home?”

The short answer is yes – in many cases they can be.

But the real answer is a little more detailed than that.

Because just like a traditional home, the final cost of a shed home depends heavily on:

• your property
• your location
• your site conditions
• engineering requirements
• design selections
• access to trades and materials

A home built on a flat rural block with easy access and stable soil conditions will naturally cost less than the same design built on a sloping coastal property in a high-wind region.

That’s why at Shed Homes WA we don’t believe in advertising a “one-size-fits-all” build price. Your site becomes part of the product, and every project needs to be assessed properly before accurate pricing can be provided.

Before comparing costs, there’s also an important distinction many people don’t realise.

Class 1A vs Class 10A – What’s the Difference?

When people hear the term “shed home”, they often picture a large shed shell with some internal rooms added later.

That is not what we build.

At Shed Homes WA, our homes are built as Class 1A dwellings, meaning they are legally classified as liveable homes under the National Construction Code.

That means our homes still require:

• engineering
• drafting and design work
• energy efficiency assessments
• council approvals
• structural compliance
• liveable building standards

A Class 10A structure, by comparison, is classified as a non-habitable building such as:

• a garage
• farm shed
• workshop
• storage structure

Class 10A buildings are not designed or approved for permanent living.

This distinction matters because a compliant Class 1A shed home is held to many of the same standards as a traditional residential build.

So when comparing pricing, it’s important to compare compliant liveable homes against compliant liveable homes – not a basic farm shed against a full residential house.

So, Why Can Shed Homes Be More Affordable?

One of the biggest advantages of a Shed Homes WA build is construction efficiency.

Traditional brick and tile homes typically involve a large number of separate trades working across a longer construction timeline. Every additional trade, delay, and site visit increases the overall build cost.

At Shed Homes WA, we’ve structured our builds to simplify that process.

Fewer Trades On Site

Traditional residential builds often require:

• bricklayers
• roof tilers
• renderers
• multiple framing crews
• external cladding contractors
• separate roofing trades
• extensive wet trade coordination

Our construction method reduces much of that complexity.

With fewer trades required across the duration of the build, clients can benefit from reduced:

• labour costs
• scheduling delays
• equipment hire
• site management costs
• material handling
• waste removal
• trade return visits

This streamlined approach is one of the key reasons shed homes can offer excellent value without compromising on quality.

Faster Build Times Mean Lower Costs

Time has become one of the biggest cost drivers in Australian construction.

Over the past several years, traditional residential builds across Australia have experienced major delays caused by:

• labour shortages
• material shortages
• trade availability
• weather disruptions
• scheduling bottlenecks

Industry reports now show that many traditional home builds can take 12 months or longer from approval to completion in current market conditions.

At Shed Homes WA, our average build timeframe is approximately:

5-6 Months From Building Approval

That reduced construction timeline can create substantial savings for clients through:

• lower site holding costs
• fewer delays
• reduced temporary accommodation costs
• less equipment hire
• reduced labour overlap
• improved project efficiency

For many clients, speed is not just convenient – it becomes financially important.

Cost Per Square Metre Comparison

Traditional brick and tile construction costs in Australia continue to rise.

Current industry estimates commonly place new residential build costs between approximately:

$1,800-$3,500+ per square metre

Depending on:

• location
• finish selections
• engineering requirements
• site conditions
• builder availability

At Shed Homes WA, some of our current designs start from approximately:

• $1,475/m² for smaller designs such as The Wilkinson
• up to approximately $2,386/m² for larger family designs such as The Kiara

Of course, every build is different, and final pricing depends on your individual selections and property requirements.

But for many clients, the overall value proposition becomes very clear when comparing:

• construction time
• trade efficiency
• build complexity
• ongoing maintenance
• project flexibility

against a traditional brick-and-tile build.

Shed Homes Are Not “Cheap Quality” Homes

One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is that shed homes are simply budget structures with internal linings added later.

That’s simply not how compliant Class 1A shed homes work.

At Shed Homes WA, our homes still go through:

• engineering
• drafting
• compliance assessment
• energy efficiency testing
• council approvals
• structural certification

just like traditional homes.

The difference is not about lowering standards.

The difference is about creating a smarter and more efficient way to build.

Built for Regional & Rural WA

Another major advantage of the Shed Homes WA building model is flexibility.

Because our suppliers operate Australia-wide, we can source and deliver materials across a huge range of locations.

That means we can build in areas where traditional builders may:

• struggle with logistics
• have limited trade availability
• charge significant regional premiums
• experience long scheduling delays

For regional and rural clients especially, this flexibility can become a major advantage.

The Real Question Isn’t “Cheaper”

In reality, the better question is:

“Where does the value come from?”

Because a well-designed shed home is not simply about building at the lowest possible price.

It’s about:

• reducing unnecessary construction complexity
• improving efficiency
• shortening build times
• simplifying trade coordination
• creating durable, practical homes
• maintaining compliant residential standards

For many Australians – especially those building regionally or on acreage – that combination makes shed homes an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional construction.

Final Thoughts

Shed homes are not the right solution for every project.

But for many clients, they offer:

• faster construction
• streamlined building processes
• excellent value per square metre
• flexibility in regional locations
• compliant residential standards
• modern, practical living spaces

And as construction costs and build times continue to rise across Australia, it’s easy to see why more people are exploring alternative ways to build smarter.

If you’re considering building a Class 1A shed home in Western Australia, the best place to start is with a conversation about your property, your goals, and your site conditions – because every build is different.