“The best time to buy a house is always five years ago.”
— Ray Brown, Famous Real Estate Investor and Philanthropist
This is especially true in the Australian housing market where prices have a tendency to rise faster than the time it takes to get your plans in order.
So if you’re holding out for the “perfect moment,” waiting for construction costs or interest rates to drop, think again.
The reality is, building costs are only heading in one direction: up.
In fact, over the past few years, they’ve surged by 35 to 40%.
So, what will they look like next year?
In five years? In 10 years?
Are you prepared to face even higher costs, or worse — miss out on your dream home altogether?
The Danger of Delaying: Higher Costs, Fewer Options
It’s tempting to wait for the market to swing in your favour, but the reality is that construction costs have been steadily rising, with no signs of slowing down.
Every month you wait puts you at risk of paying significantly more for materials and labour. What’s affordable today could be out of reach tomorrow.
But rising costs aren’t the only concern. Delaying your build also means competing for builder availability.
The good news is, right now the Australian market is offering a unique opportunity. Builders aren’t as busy as they were during the COVID-19 construction boom, meaning they can focus more on your project, delivering higher quality and faster timelines
However, demand is already picking up again, meaning longer wait times, fewer builder options, and a higher risk of compromising on costs and quality.
Pair that with the already-rising construction costs, and you could end up paying significantly more for a home that doesn’t meet your expectations.
A $200,000 Lesson: How Hesitation Blew Jackie’s Budget
Unfortunately, we’ve seen firsthand how waiting for the “perfect time” can backfire.
Jackie* is one such example. She hesitated, hoping for prices to ease before committing to her dream home.
But the market didn’t move in her favour.
By the time she finally decided to take the plunge, both land and construction costs had jumped dramatically. The plot she had her eye on was now 30% more expensive, and her overall budget was blown out by an extra $200,000.
Jackie found herself making compromises — cutting back on features she once considered non-negotiable just to keep the project within reach. And in the end, what she hoped would save her money actually cost her far more.
Jackie’s story is a stark reminder that waiting for better conditions can often lead to worse outcomes.
Why Building Now Makes Sense
Instead of waiting and hoping for a market shift, there are clear benefits to starting your build today:
- More attention on your project: With fewer jobs to juggle, Australian builders can give more attention to delivering top-quality work.
- Smoother, faster processes: Less competition for builder time results in quicker timelines and fewer delays, ensuring your home is completed on schedule.
- Stable pricing: Locking in today’s prices protects you from future cost blowouts as material and labour costs continue to rise.
- Avoiding a demand surge: Lower interest rates might seem appealing, but they tend to drive up demand — and with it, construction costs. Building now lets you avoid that rush.
Ultimately, acting now puts you in the best position for a smoother, more predictable build — without the financial or emotional strain of waiting for the “perfect moment.”
Bottom Line: The Longer You Wait, The More You’ll Pay
Every day you delay increases your risk of higher costs and drawn-out timelines.
Building today means locking in current prices, avoiding unnecessary delays, and ensuring you get the quality craftsmanship you envisioned for your dream home.
Of course, there’s more to building a custom home than just locking in today’s rates.
That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide for you to download:
Build with Confidence – 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home
Inside, you’ll find essential tips to navigate the home-building process and avoid the pitfalls that so many homeowners fall into when trying to bring their dream home to life.
For more tips to help you navigate the complexities of home building, download our Free Guide
Build with Confidence – 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home
