An image of Brick vs Frame builds. Showcasing the decision an investor would need to make when considering property.
Western Australia builds homes differently to almost everywhere else in the country. Double brick is the local standard, even though most other states moved on from it decades ago.
With brick supply under pressure, more Perth builders are now offering frame and brick veneer as alternatives. That raises a question we are hearing from investors: is a framed home a worse investment?
The short answer is no, not necessarily. Here is how to think it through.
What Is the Difference Between Double Brick, Brick Veneer and Frame?
Double brick: Two layers of brick with a cavity between them on the outside, plus brick internal walls. This is the WA standard.
Brick veneer: A single external layer of brick over a timber or steel frame, with timber internal walls, plasterboard and insulation. This is the standard on the east coast.
Frame: A timber or steel frame with lightweight cladding or insulated panels. It is widely used around the world.
Why Does Perth Build Double Brick?
Mostly history and habit. For decades WA produced its own bricks, so double brick became the norm, and buyers came to see it as the gold standard.
Builders who work in other states point out that Perth’s climate does not require it. Framed and veneer homes in other states meet the same Australian standards, and builders report that they carry the same statutory warranties.
How Do Cost and Build Time Compare?
Builders who operate on both coasts report that double brick typically costs $20,000 to $30,000 more than alternatives. That is a big reason almost nobody uses it on the east coast.
Speed is the bigger difference. One builder with more than 300 handovers in South Australia, none of them double brick, says frames there go up in about three to four days. In Perth, the same stage can take three to four weeks, because local trades still build a frame the way they would a brick home. In South Australia, frames are delivered with the windows already in them.
Shorter build times mean lower holding costs. With the brick shortage pushing some Perth timelines out by six to twelve months, that matters.
One caution. Builders switching to frame are currently absorbing extra costs while their trades adjust. Do not assume a lower contract price. Ask for quotes on both options.
Does Frame Construction Affect Rental Appeal and Resale?
Tenants choose on location, layout, condition and features. Very few ask how the walls were built.
Resale is where perception still matters. Some Perth buyers prefer double brick, and that may affect how quickly a framed home sells in the short term. Some builders expect WA to settle at roughly a third double brick, a third veneer and a third frame, which would normalise it.
What to Ask Your Builder
What is the build time for double brick versus veneer or frame?
What is the price difference on my specific design?
What warranties apply to each construction type?
What is the energy rating of each option?
How much frame experience does the builder and their trade team have?
The Bottom Line
Returns come from location, land and rental demand. Construction style is a cost and timing variable, not a reason to avoid building. If flexibility saves you six months of holding costs, it is worth pricing both options.
Planning a New Build in Perth?
Our team can help you compare options. Book a free consultation today.