Question: Is it Cheaper to Build a Bungalow or Two Story?
Answer: It is cheaper to build a two-story home over a bungalow. A two-story home is cheaper to build per square foot. For the same living space, it has a smaller, less expensive foundation and roof, making it more cost-effective than a sprawling bungalow which requires a larger lot.
Bungalow vs. Two-Storey: A Cost Comparison for New Builds
Deciding to build a new home is a major life event. You get to choose the layout, finishes, and style that perfectly suit your family. One of the first big decisions you will face is the type of home to construct. Many future homeowners ask, is it cheaper to build a bungalow or two story? The answer is not as simple as a yes or no. The final cost depends on many different factors, including the price of your land, the design complexity, and the materials you choose. This analysis will explore the key cost drivers for both home styles.
We will examine everything from the ground up. The foundation and roof size play a huge role in the initial building price. We will also look at how the cost of land can push your decision one way or the other. Labour, materials, and even long-term expenses like heating and cooling contribute to the total cost of ownership. Understanding these details helps you make an informed choice that aligns with your budget and lifestyle goals for years to come.
Comparing Foundation and Roofing Costs
The most significant cost difference between a bungalow and a two-storey home often lies in the foundation and the roof. A bungalow spreads all of its square footage across a single level. This design choice creates a much larger footprint on the land. A larger footprint requires a bigger foundation. This means more excavation work, more concrete for the footings and floor slab, and more labour to put it all in place. These elements add considerable expense to the initial phase of the build.
Similarly, a sprawling bungalow needs a very large roof to cover its entire area. Roofing is priced by the square foot, so a larger roof directly translates to higher material and installation costs. In contrast, a two-storey home stacks its square footage vertically. For the same amount of living space, a two-storey house has a foundation and roof that can be up to half the size of a bungalow’s. This smaller, more compact structure is fundamentally cheaper to build from the ground up and the top down, making it the more affordable option on a pure cost-per-square-foot basis for these two major components.
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Breaking Down Material and Labour Expenses
While foundation and roof costs favour a two-storey home, the expenses for materials and labour are more balanced. Building a second floor requires additional structural materials. The floor system between the two levels needs strong joists and beams to support the weight, which adds to the material bill. Construction crews also need to set up scaffolding to work safely on the second storey. This adds time and complexity to the project, which increases labour costs. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems can also be more complicated to run between floors.
On the other hand, bungalow construction is generally more straightforward. Workers can complete most of the job from the ground, which can make the process faster and reduce labour hours. However, the extended layout of a bungalow means longer runs for pipes, wires, and ducts. These long runs can increase the amount of material needed for mechanical systems. The ultimate cost for labour and materials often depends on the specific design of the home rather than its style. A simple two-storey home could be cheaper than a complex bungalow with many corners and rooflines.
Designing for Today and Tomorrow
Your home should fit your lifestyle now and in the future. Accessibility is a key advantage of a bungalow. With all living spaces on one floor, there are no stairs to climb. This design is perfect for homeowners with mobility challenges, families with small children, and anyone planning to age in place. This built-in accessibility can also increase the home’s resale value, as it appeals to a wide range of buyers. The open-concept layouts often found in bungalows create a sense of spaciousness and easy flow between rooms.
A two-storey home offers a different kind of lifestyle benefit. It creates a clear separation between the public and private areas of the house. The main floor typically contains the kitchen, living room, and dining area, while the bedrooms are located upstairs. This separation is ideal for families who want to keep noisy activities downstairs and maintain quiet sleeping quarters. While stairs can be a barrier for some, they are a standard feature that most homeowners accept. Considering your family’s daily needs and long-term plans is just as important as the initial build cost.
Energy Efficiency and Ongoing Expenses
The initial build price is only one part of the total cost of a home. You must also consider long-term expenses like utility bills. A two-storey home is generally more energy-efficient than a bungalow of the same size. Its compact, stacked design minimizes the amount of exterior wall and roof surface area. With less surface area exposed to the outside elements, the home loses less heat in the winter and gains less heat in the summer. This makes it easier and cheaper to maintain a comfortable temperature inside.
Heat also naturally rises, which can be an advantage in a two-storey home during colder months. The warmth from the lower level helps to heat the upper floor. In contrast, a bungalow’s large roof and foundation are major sources of potential heat loss. It requires more energy to heat and cool a long, spread-out floor plan. While high-quality insulation and windows are essential for any new build, the fundamental shape of a two-storey house gives it a natural advantage in energy performance. Over decades, these savings on monthly energy bills can add up significantly.
Conclusion
The choice between a bungalow and a two-storey home depends on your priorities. There is no single answer to which is cheaper. A two-storey home often has a lower initial build cost per square foot. This is mainly because of its smaller and less expensive foundation and roof. It also makes more efficient use of expensive land, a key factor in many communities. This style can be the more budget-friendly option if minimizing upfront construction and land costs is your main goal.
However, a bungalow offers incredible value in other ways. Its simple construction can sometimes reduce labour costs, and its single-level living provides unmatched accessibility for all ages and abilities. This feature is a priceless benefit for many homeowners. You must weigh the lower build cost of a two-storey against the long-term livability of a bungalow. The best approach is to discuss your budget, your lot, and your lifestyle with your builder and real estate agent. We can help you analyze all the variables to decide which home is the right investment for you.
