Single storey vs double storey is one of the first decisions every Perth homeowner faces before design even begins. Also written as single story vs double story, the choice shapes your build cost, your block requirements, and how your family lives in the finished home.
There is no universal right answer. This guide breaks down the real cost differences, the block size trade-offs, and the lifestyle factors that should drive your decision in 2026.
At Pioneered Modern Engineering (PME), we build both single and double storey homes across Perth, and we would rather help you choose the right one than sell you the wrong one.
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Single Storey vs Double Storey House: Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Factor | Single Storey | Double Storey |
| Block size needed | Larger footprint | Smaller footprint, more yard space |
| Typical build cost | Lower per square metre | 20 to 30 percent higher |
| Accessibility | Easier for young kids and ageing residents | Stairs add a barrier |
| Privacy and zoning | Open plan, less separation | Bedrooms and living areas naturally zoned |
| Views | Limited to ground level | Can capture views over fences and trees |
| Energy efficiency | Simpler to insulate and seal | More complex, but zoning aids efficiency |
Neither option wins outright. The right build depends on your block, budget, and household.
Single Storey vs Double Storey Cost in Perth
Cost is usually the deciding factor, and the single storey vs double storey cost gap is real. In Perth, a double storey home typically costs 20 to 30 percent more than a comparable single storey home of the same floor area.
What Drives the Cost Gap
The premium comes down to a few consistent factors:
- Additional structural steel to support the upper floor
- Staircases and balustrading
- Upper floor framing and roof trusses
- More complex roofing and guttering
- Extended scaffolding and access equipment during the build
Typical Build Costs by Storey Count
For a 220 square metre home, expect roughly $396,000 to $440,000 for a single storey build at standard specification, versus $475,000 to $572,000 for the equivalent double storey design. These figures cover construction only, before land, site works, and connections.
Double storey builds also typically add four to six weeks to the construction schedule, since upper floor framing introduces an extra stage. Our guide on how long it takes to build a house in Australia breaks down what drives these timelines in more detail.
The gap narrows when block size enters the equation. A double storey home vs single storey house comparison on the same modest block often favours going up, since a smaller footprint reduces excavation, retaining, and site preparation costs that can otherwise erode any single storey saving.
Block Size and Footprint Considerations
Your block is usually the deciding factor before cost even enters the conversation.
Lot Size for Single Storey Homes
Single storey homes need more land to deliver the same floor area, typically requiring a minimum lot width of 12 to 16 metres for a comfortable four-bedroom layout.
Lot Size for Double Storey Homes
Double storey homes suit narrow or smaller lots common in Perth’s newer subdivisions, where blocks under 350 square metres are increasingly standard. Going up lets you achieve the same bedroom count and living space while leaving more usable backyard for kids, pets, or a pool.
If you already own a smaller block, a double storey vs single storey house decision is often made for you by the land itself. Our guide on choosing the right construction partner covers how lot dimensions and site conditions shape your design options before you commit to either direction.
Energy Efficiency Differences
The Single Storey Advantage
Single storey homes are generally simpler to insulate and seal, since there is less external wall area relative to floor space and no upper floor cavity to manage. Heating and cooling one open volume is also typically more efficient than conditioning two separate zones.
How Double Storey Homes Close the Gap
Double storey homes are not automatically less efficient, though. Zoning bedrooms upstairs and living areas downstairs lets you heat or cool only the zone in use, which can offset the extra external surface area over a full day.
All new WA builds must meet a minimum 7-star NatHERS energy rating regardless of storey count, and thoughtful orientation matters more than storey count alone. We take this seriously in our approach to sustainable building solutions, where orientation, insulation, and glazing are considered from the earliest design stage.
Family Layout, Privacy and Accessibility
Privacy and Zoning
A double storey vs single storey decision often comes down to how your family actually lives day to day. Double storey designs naturally separate sleeping zones from living areas, which suits families with teenagers, home offices, or guests who value privacy.
Accessibility and Long-Term Living
Single storey homes remove the barrier of stairs entirely, which matters for families with toddlers, ageing parents, or anyone planning to stay in the home long term. If accessibility is a priority now or in the future, single level living removes a genuine long-term risk.
Are Double Storey Homes Worth More at Resale?
Where Double Storey Commands a Premium
Double storey homes can command a premium in land-constrained suburbs where buyers value maximised floor space on a small footprint. In established, close-in Perth suburbs, this premium can be meaningful.
Where Single Storey Holds Its Value
In outer growth corridors where larger blocks remain available, single storey homes often hold value just as well, particularly with buyers prioritising accessibility and no internal stairs. Location and land value generally influence resale more than storey count on its own, so treat storey choice as a lifestyle and budget decision first, not purely an investment play.
Choosing Between Single Storey and Double Storey for Your Situation
Choose single storey if:
- Your block is large enough to comfortably fit your desired floor area
- Accessibility matters now or is likely to in the future
- Lower build cost per square metre is a priority
Choose double storey if:
- Your block is narrow or under 350 square metres
- Your household values zoned privacy between living and sleeping areas
- You want to capture views or maximise floor space on limited land
Whichever direction you lean, get a firm quote for your actual block before deciding. Generic averages rarely reflect what your specific site, orientation, and soil conditions will cost. Our residential construction services start with exactly this kind of site-specific assessment.
Get a Quote for Your Block
Single storey vs double storey is ultimately a decision about your block, your budget, and how your family wants to live. PME can walk you through both options with real numbers for your specific site.
Call PME today on 0480 452 067 or visit pioneeredme.com.au to book your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Pros and Cons of Single Storey vs Double Storey Homes in Australia?
Single storey homes cost less per square metre, need no stairs, and are simpler to insulate, but require a larger block. Double storey homes suit smaller lots and offer natural zoning and elevated views, but cost 20 to 30 percent more to build and include stairs as an ongoing accessibility factor.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Two-Story House?
The main disadvantages are higher build cost, added structural complexity, and stairs, which can be a genuine barrier for young children, ageing residents, or anyone with mobility limitations. Double storey homes also generally take longer to construct.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Single Story House?
Single storey homes need a larger, and often more expensive, block to deliver the same floor area as a double storey design. They also typically offer less privacy separation between living and sleeping zones, and less potential for elevated views.
Are There Energy Efficiency Differences Between Single Storey and Double Storey Houses?
Single storey homes are generally simpler to insulate due to less external wall area and no upper floor cavity. Double storey homes can offset this through zoned heating and cooling, and both must meet WA’s 7-star NatHERS minimum regardless of storey count.
Why Are Most Australian Houses Single Storey?
Historically, larger and more affordable blocks made single storey building the practical default across most of Australia. As block sizes shrink in growth corridors and established suburbs, double storey designs have become increasingly common to maintain living space on smaller footprints.