Why consider building a duplex? Key benefits explained

When looking for ideas on what type of house to build on your land (either a new block or a knockdown rebuild project on an established block of land), perhaps you should consider building a duplex.

Here’s why you should consider building a duplex

What is a duplex?

A duplex is often considered a residential building containing two homes that are attached along a common central wall, (also known as a party wall). As such they are usually a mirror image of each other in layout, but this is not mandatory.

Why build a duplex?

Having designed and build hundreds of duplex homes, ZAC is in the best position to appreciate the advantages of building a duplex – especially in the Sydney market.

A duplex:

• Takes ‌advantage‌ ‌of‌ the ‌whole‌ ‌block‌ ‌
• Reduces ‌your building‌ ‌costs‌ ‌because you are building two at the same time
• Lower‌s ‌your stamp‌ ‌duty,‌ ‌holding‌ ‌fees,‌ ‌insurance‌ ‌costs ‌and‌ ‌council‌ ‌rates‌ ‌
• Has no‌ ‌strata‌ ‌fees‌
• ‌Offers higher‌ ‌tax‌ ‌depreciation

But the‌ ‌absolutely best‌ reason to build a duplex is‌ ‌the‌ ‌ability‌ ‌to‌ improve your financial position. When you build a duplex, you have the opportunity to:

• Gain two rental incomes instead of one; or
• Sell two homes instead of one; or
• Live in one and rent/sell the other to help cover the cost of building your new home

Regardless of the option you choose, you should still achieve a financial advantage.

Things to consider when building a duplex

If‌ ‌building‌ ‌a‌ ‌duplex‌ ‌appeals‌ ‌to‌ ‌you,‌ ‌ask yourself the following questions before getting‌ ‌started:‌

• ‌Do you have a viable‌ ‌budget‌?
• Is the size and ‌orientation‌ ‌of‌ ‌your‌ ‌land‌ ‌suitable for a duplex?
• What duplex size and internal layout ‌would you like?
• Will it include a garage or on street parking?
• What is the possible‌ ‌impact‌ ‌on‌ ‌neighbouring‌ ‌properties‌?
• What is the zoning of your land?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you better plan your building project.

Setting yourself up for success

Homes by ZAC is a leading duplex specialist. We can advise‌ ‌you on how to‌ ‌get‌ ‌the‌ ‌most‌ ‌value‌ ‌out‌ ‌of‌ ‌your‌ project, including choosing the best size, position and house style. At Homes by ZAC, we‌ ‌take‌ ‌care‌ ‌of‌ ‌everything‌ including ‌design,‌ ‌approvals,‌ ‌demolition‌‌ (if‌ ‌required) ‌and‌ ‌construction. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

If you would like to explore the opportunities in building a duplex, give us a call today on 1300 350 793 or send us an online enquiry.