What is a kit home?
Kit homes are a type of prefabricated home with a DIY assembly element. Prefabricated structures are buildings which are manufactured off-site before being shipped and later assembled. The most commonly known types of prefab homes are kit and modular homes.
A kit home differs from a modular home in that kit homes are constructed onsite. Modular homes are manufactured and constructed off-site, arriving on the property fully formed. Modular homes / transportable homes are therefore designed with a focus on portability to account for the shipping, often making them easy candidates for relocation. By contrast, a kit home arrives on the property disassembled and the construction must be organised by the homeowner.
Homeowners with experience in construction may choose to construct the kit home themselves with all of the pieces that have been delivered. This will save a lot of money and is one of the reasons that kit homes are so popular in the current housing market. However, manufacturing companies will often have a construction branch or endorsed partners that can be contracted to assemble the home after delivery at the behest of the homeowner. While this does bump up the price, it does give the homeowner security of knowing everything will be up to code and that the house will be immediately fit for habitation.
That is another benefit to kit homes; their speed. Kit homes will often arrive in as little as a few weeks, making them an extremely speedy option when compared with the months of construction that a traditional house would take to build. Assembling a kit home is usually a matter of days, though naturally it can take longer depending on the size of the job and the competency of the DIY-er / contractor.
Kit homes have been steadily rising in popularity since the first World War. The post-war housing market was difficult to break into for first home buyers, leading many to turn to cheaper alternatives. The company accredited with manufacturing the first kit home in the world is American store Aladdin during the early 20th century. Their off-grid holiday cottage homes were popular among the middle class homeowners and have inspired the grand wave of kit home manufacturing across the globe ever since.
The main reason for the popularity of kit homes in a contemporary climate is their affordability. In an era of increasingly steep home prices (with frustratingly stagnant wage rates), many Australians are being priced out of the real estate market as first time buyers. Kit homes provide an alternative to this, sometimes available for as little as $10 per square foot for bare essentials.
Image: Kit Homes Nation-Wide
How much are kit homes?
On average, the cost of a kit home ranges from $40-$60 per square foot. A basic 3-bedroom kit home will begin at $53,400, though this is subject to change depending on the additions required to connect the home to the grid. Kit homes are usually quite small, so they are popular choices for couples, as second homes, or as Airbnb properties.
Really cheap kit homes Australia: 5 most affordable kit homes for sale
To help inspire your budget kit homes purchase, here is an outline of the most affordable kit home designs currently available in Australia.
5. Brielle – Valley Kit Homes
Valley Kit Homes is a well known prefab house manufacturing company based in QLD with branches across Tumbulgum, NSW, Tasmania and WA. Valley Kit Homes has one of Australia’s most extensive kit homes catalogues, covering just about every popular house size and style (from granny flats to 4 bedroom houses).
The Brielle model, floor plan pictured above, is one of the cheapest kit homes on the market. With three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in a 135.52 square metre area, this spacious kit home is available for $125,550 with an elevated floor and just $86,560 with a concrete floor.
4. Aitape – Valley Kit Homes
Another extremely affordable model by Valley Kit Homes, Aitape is a 3 bedroom, one bathroom house over two stories with a two car garage. This is a classic Queenslander style house with a fenced veranda, perfect for a small property with an ample backyard.
With an elevated floor, this home will cost $132,530. With a concrete floor, this home is priced at just $127,430. For more information on Australia’s best kit home manufacturers, see here.
3. Banksia – iBuild
iBuild building solutions is an award winning manufacturer and supplier of high quality kit homes, modular buildings, and steel structure. An Australian based company with a global reach, iBuild has the resources to produce high quality kit homes at affordable prices.
The Banksia model pictured above is one of their many 3 bedroom models, featuring a large kitchen, dining and living area with a total area size of 187.73 square metres. Banksia is available with a number of different inclusions, but prices begin at just $103,500. iBuild also provides the option of an on-site assembly service for your convenience.
2. Bolton – Wholesale Homes and Sheds
The Bolton is a marvel of modern kit homes. With 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a media room, this house is the height of luxury at a fraction of the price that a similar traditional home would cost.
Prices for the Bolton begin at just $128,199. Wholesale Homes and Sheds is a trusted Australian supplier of cheap house buildings with branches in QLD, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and WA.
1. Kilcunda – Imagine Kit Homes
This kit home model is an affordable and luxurious one storey home with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Imagine Kit Homes is an innovative supplier and designer with a focus on customization.
With Imagine Kit Homes, you can essentially build your own home down to the slightest details including things like ceiling height, window glaze, cladding, floor base, and the cyclone safety rating. The Kilcunda model is available here from $138,668.