Frequently
Asked Questions

FAQ

Get answers to your frequently asked questions about construction, cost estimation, quantity surveying, tendering, and much more.

Learn about Pekaj

Get in touch

It depends on what you're building. Here's a guide to current Melbourne construction costs by project type for 2026:

Project Type	Cost Range (per m²)	What Drives the Variation
Single storey home (standard spec)	$1,800 – $2,500/m²	Site conditions, slab type, cladding choice
Single storey home (architect-designed, high spec)	$2,500 – $3,800/m²	Custom joinery, premium finishes, complex geometry
Double storey home (standard spec)	$2,000 – $2,800/m²	Structural system, staircase, upper-level wet areas
Double storey home (high spec)	$2,800 – $4,200/m²	Double-height voids, cantilevers, glazing packages
Townhouse development (per unit)	$2,200 – $3,200/m²	Basement, common areas, NCC compliance for multi-unit
Low-rise apartment (3–7 storey)	$2,800 – $4,500/m²	Lift cores, fire services, facade system, basement levels
Extension or renovation	$2,500 – $4,500/m²	Working with existing structure is almost always more expensive per m² than new build
Commercial fit-out	$1,500 – $5,500/m²	Base build vs Cat A vs Cat B, services density, BCA compliance
Industrial / warehouse	$1,200 – $2,000/m²	Clear span, slab thickness, office component ratio

These rates cover construction costs only. They don't include land, professional fees (architect, engineer, surveyor), council contributions, authority charges, or loose furniture and equipment. Site costs demolition, excavation, retention, rock removal sit outside these ranges and can add $30,000–$150,000+ depending on conditions.

‍
Rates also move. Melbourne construction costs have been escalating at 3–5% per year since 2022, driven primarily by labour shortages and material price volatility. A rate that was accurate six months ago may already be light.

‍
If you want a number you can actually rely on, send us your drawings and we'll prepare a project-specific estimate. For a detailed breakdown of current Melbourne trade rates, see our 2025 Trade Rates Guide.

‍

Resources

No items found.

Fees depend on the project type, complexity and which services you need. Here’s a guide to typical QS fee ranges for Melbourne projects:

‍

Project Type	Typical Fee Range (ex GST)
Single storey home	From $2,000
Double storey home	From $2,500
Townhouse development	From $1,000 per unit
Low-rise apartment / mixed use	$8,000 – $15,000+
Commercial / industrial	$6,000 – $20,000+
Extensions and renovations	From $1,500
Initial Financiers Report (IFR)	From $4,000
Progress claim / drawdown assessment (per claim)	From $1,500

These are indicative. Every project is different and the final fee reflects the level of documentation available, the number of trades involved and the duration of our engagement.

We provide a fixed-fee proposal for every project before starting no surprises.

‍

Yes. We prepare initial feasibility reports, cost-to-complete assessments and progress claim reviews in formats that major Australian lenders accept. If your bank or financier has a specific reporting template, we'll work to their requirements.

Report type	When you need it	Who it is for
Feasibility Estimate	Pre-purchase, TP drawings only, no builder	Developer (go/no-go decision)
Elemental Cost Plan	Working drawings done, no contract yet	Developer (budget confirmation)
QS Bank Report	Residential construction loan, builder engaged	Lender (cost verification)
Initial Financier's Report	Development finance, full documentation, builder engaged	Lender (full due diligence)

‍
If your broker has asked for a QS report without specifying which one, the simplest rule is: single dwelling construction loan means a QS Bank Report. Development finance means an Initial Financier's Report. Confirm with the lender before engaging.

Our assessments are completed remotely via desktop review of project documentation. If a site inspection is required, we engage trusted third-party professionals to attend on our behalf.

We understand that drawdown approvals depend on the quality and clarity of the QS documentation behind them.

‍

No. A report is addressed to a specific financier and carries professional indemnity reliance for that lender only. Changing lenders requires a supplementary report.

Scenario	What is required	Additional cost
Same lender, same project	No action needed	Nil
Different lender, no project changes	Supplementary report re-addressed to new lender	$1,500 - $2,000
Different lender, project has changed	Supplementary report with updated assessment	$2,000 - $3,000
Different lender, significant scope change	New report may be required	Full report fee

Cost-to-complete is how lenders control drawdowns during construction. Instead of paying the builder for work done, the lender checks whether the remaining budget is enough to finish the project. This protects everyone from running out of money before completion.

Method	How it works	Used by
Works complete	Builder is paid for the value of work actually done	Building contracts (payment clauses)
Cost to complete	QS checks that the remaining loan balance can cover all remaining works before recommending payment	Lenders (drawdown assessments)

This can mean the QS recommends a lower drawdown than the builder claims. It is not a reflection on the builder's work quality. It is the lender's risk management methodology.

Most major banks and non-bank lenders maintain approved QS panels. If the QS is not on the panel, the report may be rejected. Before engaging any QS for a bank-facing report, confirm with your broker or lender that the firm will be accepted. Not all lenders publish their panel lists, so this step is essential.

Typical panel requirement	What it means
AIQS membership	The QS firm must be a registered member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
CQS designation	The signing director must hold Certified Quantity Surveyor status
Professional Indemnity insurance	Minimum threshold varies by lender, typically $2M - $5M
Lender panel approval	Some lenders require the QS to be pre-approved on their panel before accepting reports

If you are unsure whether your QS will be accepted, ask the lender directly before work commences. A report from a non-panel QS may not be accepted regardless of quality.

Ready to Price
‍Your Next Project?

Whether you're tendering, testing feasibility or checking a builder's price, it starts with a conversation. Call 1300 420 227 or send us your drawings.

About us

Get in touch

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Can I use your estimate to check a builder’s price?

What if I have questions after I receive the estimate?

What sets Pekaj Group’s estimating apart?

How accurate are your estimates?

Why should I outsource estimating instead of doing it myself?

How long does an estimate take and can you meet my tender deadline?

Do you do trade-specific take-offs?

How does your estimate help me win tenders?

Can you estimate from early-stage or incomplete drawings?

What do I actually receive when the estimate is finished?

What’s the difference between a BOQ and a trade breakdown?

How much does it cost to build in Melbourne right now?

What does a quantity surveyor actually do for my project?

When should I engage a QS?

How much does a QS cost in Melbourne?

What’s the difference between a QS and an estimator?

Do I need a QS if I already have an estimator?

What do you need from me to get started?

What types of projects do you take on?

How do you handle variations during construction?

Can you help with progress claims and payments?

What qualifications does your team hold?

How do you work with my existing team?

Can you help me track costs during construction?

How do you work with architects?

Do you provide reports for lenders and banks?

I only have town planning drawings. Can you prepare a report for the bank?

Can I use the same QS report with a different lender?

What is cost-to-complete and why does the bank use it?

Does the QS need to be on the bank's approved panel?

Frequently
Asked Questions