Pricing

How much does it really cost?

The cottage price is just one part. Here's everything you'll need to budget for — explained in plain English.

Pricing Rule

From $XX,XXX including GST for the standard cottage supply described below. Property-specific approvals, reports, foundations, delivery, installation, connections and site works are additional unless expressly included in your quotation.

The figures below are illustrative ranges only, not quotations. Cottage supply prices are including GST. Property-specific approvals, reports, foundations, delivery, installation, connections and site works are additional unless expressly included in your quotation. Contact us for a written quote tailored to your project.

The Four Numbers Framework

Don't treat the cottage price as the total project cost

Category 1

Cottage Supply Price

What this covers

The manufactured cottage — built to your agreed specification, ready for transport. Price includes GST.

Includes

  • Factory-built cottage to agreed specification
  • Standard inclusions (kitchen, bathroom, electrical, plumbing rough-in, insulation, windows, doors)
  • Product drawings and manufacturing information
  • GST included in the displayed price

Not included: Property-specific approvals, reports, foundations, delivery, installation, connections and site works are additional unless expressly included in your quotation.

Indicative rangePer model — see Cottage Models page

Cottage supply price is fixed for the standard configuration. Manufacturing changes (specification variations, material price changes) may affect the final price — any variation will be quoted before it is committed.

Category 2

Approval and Consultant Costs

What this covers

The consultants, reports, and statutory fees needed to get your cottage approved for your property.

Includes

  • Feasibility assessment: $500–$1,500
  • Planning review: $500–$3,000
  • Drafting: $1,500–$4,000
  • Building surveyor: $1,500–$3,500
  • Structural engineering: $1,500–$4,000
  • Footing engineering: included or $500–$1,500
  • Energy assessment: $500–$1,500
  • Soil testing: $500–$1,500
  • BAL assessment: $300–$800
  • Land survey: $500–$1,500
  • Other reports as required: variable
Indicative range$5,000 – $20,000+

A straightforward serviced suburban block may need only basic approvals. A rural property with overlays, bushfire risk, and wastewater requirements will need significantly more investigation.

Category 3

Property Works Costs

What this covers

Preparing your property for the cottage, delivering it, installing it, and connecting services.

Includes

  • Foundations: $3,000–$10,000+
  • Excavation and levelling: $1,000–$5,000+
  • Retaining walls (if needed): $1,000–$5,000+
  • Crane (if required): $500–$3,000
  • Delivery / freight: $1,500–$6,000+
  • Installation on site: $1,500–$3,000
  • Decks and stairs: $1,000–$5,000+
  • Plumbing connection: $500–$3,000
  • Electrical connection: $500–$2,500
  • Sewer or septic: $2,000–$10,000+
  • Water tanks (if required): $1,500–$4,000
  • Stormwater: $500–$2,000
Indicative range$6,000 – $30,000+

A flat, cleared block with easy access costs far less than a sloped rural site requiring excavation, retaining, crane lift, septic, and water tanks.

Number 4 — Complete Project Estimate

Three Scenarios, Side by Side

See how the numbers come together for different site types. These figures are illustrative only, not a quotation.

Straightforward Serviced Site

Urban or suburban block, flat, mains services available, no overlays, easy access.

Cottage supplyPer model price
Approvals & professional$5,000 – $8,000
Site works$3,000 – $5,000
Logistics & installation$3,000 – $6,000
Connections & completion$3,000 – $6,000
Total (excl. cottage)$14,000 – $25,000

The simplest pathway. Standard approvals, minimal site works, local delivery.

Illustrative example — not a quotation

Rural Off-Grid Site

Rural acreage, no mains services, septic required, water tanks, possible bushfire risk, moderate access.

Cottage supplyPer model price
Approvals & professional$10,000 – $18,000
Site works$8,000 – $15,000
Logistics & installation$6,000 – $12,000
Connections & completion$10,000 – $15,000
Total (excl. cottage)$34,000 – $60,000

More complex — wastewater, tanks, solar, longer delivery, and more site preparation. But very achievable with the right planning.

Illustrative example — not a quotation

Planning-Sensitive Site

Property with planning overlays, heritage considerations, or restrictive zoning. May require planning permit before building permit.

Cottage supplyPer model price
Approvals & professional$12,000 – $20,000+
Site works$5,000 – $12,000
Logistics & installation$4,000 – $8,000
Connections & completion$4,000 – $8,000
Total (excl. cottage)$25,000 – $48,000+

The approval pathway is longer and more involved. A planning consultant is essential. But once approvals are secured, the build and installation are straightforward.

Illustrative example — not a quotation

Variations

What Causes Price Changes

These factors may affect the cottage price, approval costs, or site works. Any variation will be quoted before it is committed.

Non-standard windows
Accessible design modifications
Wet-area redesign
Structural modification
Higher wind rating
BAL requirements
Snow loads
Coastal exposure
Difficult access
Custom modifications

Note: Variations may affect the cottage price, approval costs, or site works. Any variation will be quoted before it is committed.

Total Project Cost

Understanding the Real Total Cost

A BPA cottage price is the supply price of the cottage structure and standard inclusions. A completed, approved, occupiable dwelling typically costs significantly more.

1. Cottage supply price may include:

  • Cottage structure
  • Standard internal fit-out
  • Standard factory documentation
  • Nominated fixtures and finishes

2. Approval and professional costs may include:

  • Feasibility assessment
  • Drafting
  • Planning permit application (if required)
  • Building surveyor fees
  • Engineering
  • Soil test
  • Site survey
  • BAL assessment
  • Energy report
  • Wastewater assessment

3. Site and completion costs may include:

  • Foundations
  • Excavation
  • Drainage
  • Utilities connection
  • Septic system
  • Transport
  • Crane hire
  • Installation
  • Roofing and cladding completion
  • Licensed plumbing
  • Licensed electrical
  • Steps, decks and accessibility
  • Fire protection
  • Landscaping
  • Occupancy documentation

A $70,000 cottage may become a $120,000–$180,000 completed dwelling once approvals, foundations, installation, utilities and certification are included. Your actual total depends on your site, your location and your project scope.

Standard Documentation vs Site-Specific Engineering

Standard cottage documentation is supplied. Site-specific reports, foundations, approvals and engineering are additional unless expressly included in your quotation.

Included with the cottage

  • Standard structural frame documentation
  • Standard product drawings
  • Available material specifications
  • Available connection details
  • Nominated model documentation

Site-specific and ordinarily additional

  • Soil test
  • Site survey
  • Footing design
  • Wind classification
  • BAL assessment
  • Energy assessment
  • Drainage or wastewater design
  • Planning response
  • Building surveyor fees
  • Amended engineering
  • Site inspections
  • Certification of site works

What does BPA mean?

BPA means Building Permit Approvable. It describes a cottage pathway designed to provide the drawings, engineering and supporting documentation ordinarily required for a building permit application. It does not mean that a planning permit, building permit or occupancy permit has already been issued for a customer's property.

A cottage cannot be approved in isolation from its site. The final approval depends on the land, proposed use, zoning, overlays, setbacks, foundations, wastewater, bushfire requirements, energy assessment and other site-specific conditions.

"The cottage price is the headline number — but it's only one part of your project. Understanding the full picture before you start means fewer surprises and better decisions."