Choosing where to build your custom home is among the most significant decisions you’ll make in the construction journey. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant connectivity of metropolitan living or the expansive possibilities of a regional property, each path presents distinct advantages and considerations that deserve careful evaluation.
While the allure of regional acreage, complete with sweeping views and generous land parcels, appeals to many luxury home builders, the practical realities of construction in these locations differ substantially from metropolitan builds. Understanding these differences before committing ensures your project proceeds smoothly and delivers the outcome you envision.
Land Acquisition and Site Selection
Metro Areas: Land costs in established metropolitan suburbs reflect premium positioning and infrastructure maturity. Expect competitive markets in sought-after postcodes, with blocks often ranging from 400-800sqm in inner-city areas. Proximity to services, schools, and employment centres justifies higher per-square-metre pricing. Challenges include finding suitable sites for custom builds within desirable suburbs, potential contamination issues on former industrial sites, and restrictive lot dimensions that require clever architectural solutions.
Regional Areas: Regional properties typically offer significantly larger land parcels, often one acre or more—at substantially lower per-hectare costs. This affords design flexibility, expansive landscaping opportunities, and genuine privacy. However, comprehensive site investigations become critical. Factors like soil stability, drainage patterns, bushfire attack levels (BAL ratings), flood history, and access to essential services demand thorough due diligence before purchase.
Builder Selection and Availability
Selecting the right builder represents perhaps your most crucial decision, regardless of location. Metropolitan areas provide access to numerous award-winning custom builders with extensive portfolios and specialised expertise. Competition among builders can work in your favour, offering diverse options across different price points and design philosophies.
Regional construction presents a more nuanced landscape. While exceptional regional custom builders certainly exist (often with impressive award histories and deep local knowledge) the pool of specialists comfortable tackling high-end custom work may be more limited. Regional builders, however, bring invaluable understanding of local conditions: seasonal weather patterns, appropriate material selections for the climate, and established relationships with local subcontractors.
Consider whether engaging a metropolitan builder willing to travel is feasible for your regional project. This approach can access broader expertise but introduces logistical complexities around site supervision, travel costs, and response times for issues requiring immediate attention.
Council Approvals and Regulatory Considerations
Metropolitan councils operate with well-established processes and defined expectations. Development application timelines are generally predictable, though design review boards in heritage areas or exclusive suburbs may impose rigorous aesthetic requirements. Zoning regulations tend toward specificity, clearly outlining setback requirements, height restrictions, and permitted materials.
Regional councils often exhibit greater flexibility regarding design choices but may have fewer resources dedicated to rapid application processing. Timelines can extend significantly, particularly in smaller shires with limited planning staff.
Environmental considerations frequently require additional documentation and specialist reports. Septic system approvals, bore permits, and vegetation clearing restrictions add layers of complexity rarely encountered in sewered metropolitan lots.
Infrastructure and Service Access
Metro locations provide comprehensive utility connections, mains water, sewerage, natural gas, NBN or fibre internet, as standard inclusions. Power supply is reliable, and backup options are readily available. Emergency services, healthcare facilities, and trades are within easy reach.
Regional properties may require significant infrastructure investment. Septic systems, water tanks, bore installation, or connection to distant mains all represent substantial costs beyond the base build. Reliable internet connectivity can’t be assumed, necessitating satellite or fixed wireless solutions. Propane gas replaces natural gas for cooking and heating. Power supply may be less stable, making solar installations with battery backup worth serious consideration. These infrastructure requirements can add $50,000-$150,000+ to your project budget.
Construction Logistics and Material Delivery
Metro builds benefit from proximity to suppliers, specialised trades, and efficient logistics networks. Materials arrive on schedule, specialty items are sourced easily, and skilled subcontractors schedule work without extensive travel surcharges.
Regional construction faces genuine logistical challenges. Material delivery schedules lengthen as distances increase. Freight costs escalate, particularly for heavy or bulky items. Subcontractor availability becomes more variable, with specialists often requiring travel from metropolitan centres, introducing both cost and coordination complexity.
Weather impacts access more severely, with unsealed roads becoming impassable during wet periods and delaying construction schedules.
Building Timelines
Metropolitan custom home construction typically spans 12-18 months from foundation to completion, assuming no major complications. Established supply chains, accessible trades, and predictable council processes support efficient progression.
Regional builds should budget 18-24 months minimum. Extended approval processes, weather-related delays, material procurement challenges, and subcontractor scheduling complexity all contribute to longer timelines. Flexibility and patience become essential virtues when building in regional locations.
Risk Management and Insurance Considerations
Your property’s location significantly influences both construction risks and ongoing insurance requirements. Metropolitan builds face standard urban considerations: neighbouring property protection, noise restrictions and restricted access for deliveries. Regional properties introduce exposure to bushfire, flooding, severe storm systems, and wildlife damage.
These risk factors directly impact your insurance needs. Comprehensive home insurance should be arranged early in the build process and maintained throughout your ownership. NRMA Insurance offers coverage options specifically designed to protect custom builds across both metropolitan and regional Australia, with policies addressing the full spectrum of potential risks from construction through to completed residence.
Regional properties in bushfire-prone areas may face higher premiums and specific construction requirements (ember guards, non-combustible materials, defendable space mandates) that influence both design and cost.
Flood insurance becomes critical in low-lying regional areas with limited urban drainage infrastructure. Don’t wait until construction completes to address insurance; protect your significant investment from the moment site works commence.
Cost Considerations
While regional land costs substantially less per square meter, total project budgets don’t necessarily favour regional builds. Infrastructure installation, extended material delivery, subcontractor travel charges, and longer construction timelines can offset initial land savings.
Metro builds benefit from competitive pricing among abundant trades, minimal material freight, and efficient scheduling. However, land acquisition consumes a larger portion of your budget. Site constraints may require expensive solutions that regional properties avoid.
Realistic budgeting must account for location-specific expenses beyond the base construction contract. Regional buyers need contingencies for bore installation, septic systems, extended driveways, bushfire compliance measures, and additional council requirements. Metro buyers should budget for crane lifts, restricted access solutions, and potential heritage compliance costs.
Lifestyle vs Investment Perspective
Metropolitan properties generally maintain stronger market liquidity and capital appreciation. Proximity to amenities, employment, and infrastructure supports robust resale markets. If investment return or future resale flexibility matter significantly, metro locations typically outperform.
Regional builds often serve lifestyle objectives over pure investment strategy. Buyers prioritise space, privacy, natural surroundings, and a particular way of living over optimising resale potential. This shouldn’t suggest regional properties lack value (exceptional custom homes in desirable regional areas certainly appreciate) but the buyer pool narrows, potentially extending selling timelines.
Making Your Decision
Neither regional nor metropolitan building is objectively superior; they serve different priorities and lifestyles. Success lies in honest assessment of your motivations, realistic evaluation of trade-offs, and thorough preparation for location-specific challenges.
Research comprehensively before committing. Visit potential locations repeatedly, at different times and seasons. Engage builders experienced in your chosen area early for realistic project scoping. Consult with planners about local requirements. Secure pre-approval financing that accounts for location-specific costs.
Building your dream custom home, whether on a regional acreage with breathtaking views or a premium metropolitan site with every convenience, represents an extraordinary opportunity to create something uniquely yours. Understanding how location influences every aspect of that journey ensures you navigate challenges effectively and ultimately craft a residence that perfectly serves your vision for years to come.
