Construction costs ease across Australia as key materials prices stabilise
Following hefty increases in recent years, there’s some relief in sight for home builders – and their clients
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Construction cost increases have fallen to their lowest point since the start of the pandemic according to the latest data from CoreLogic.
The property data provider’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows a growth rate of 0.7 percent over the June quarter, which is the lowest figure recorded since September 2020.
The CCCI tracks the cost of building a typical three-bedroom, two-bathroom new home in Australia.
While there was variation and volatility across building product types, CoreLogic Construction Cost Estimation Manager John Bennett said steel and timber prices had begun to stabilise. It’s a trend he said was likely to continue.
“There’s been a significant drop off in dwelling approvals in the year to April, which will flow through to prices,” Mr Bennett said. “As the level of residential construction work reduces, pressure on material costs and labour supply is likely to reduce further.”
The price of timber has escalated sharply in recent years as local stocks dried up following the 2019 bushfires and demand for materials increased following the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder initiative. It’s a similar story with steel, which has been impacted by the war in Ukraine, the strength of the Australian dollar and supply chain issues.
However, there appears to be some relief on the horizon with the latest national figures well below the 1.2 percent decade average, CoreLogic data shows, representing a further softening from the 0.9 percent growth rate during the first quarter of this year.
CoreLogic head of research, Eliza Owen, said the figures bode well for a further reduction in the rate of inflation.
“The cost of new owner occupier dwelling purchases comprises the largest weighting in the CPI ‘basket’, which means the ongoing reduction in the CCCI is good news, potentially signalling lower inflation numbers,” she said.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
Dar Global strengthens ongoing relationship with the Trump organization
2 min
Dar Global, an international luxury real estate developer, and The Trump Organization, known for its prestigious properties and iconic developments worldwide, have announced plans for a new project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
This agreement builds on the successful Trump International Oman project within the AIDA development, one of the largest premium mixed-use real estate ventures globally, which has already garnered significant acclaim.
Aimed at the luxury Saudi Arabian market and international investors, this development advances Dar Global’s strategy of capitalizing on opportunities in key Saudi cities. As the international arm of Saudi mega-developer Dar Al Arkan, this project marks Dar Global’s debut in Jeddah and will enhance its real estate portfolio in the country. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dar Global currently has US$5.9 billion worth of projects in development across six countries: the UAE, Oman, Qatar, the UK, Spain, and Bosnia.
Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, commented: “We are delighted to strengthen our ongoing relationship with The Trump Organization and expand our portfolio by delivering premium properties to redefine Saudi Arabia’s high-growth real estate market. The new agreement in Saudi Arabia will leverage the strengths of both organizations to attract more international investors and vacationers. This collaboration underscores our commitment to grow our footprint by elevating the standards of luxury living in the region.”
Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said: “We are thrilled to expand our footprint in the Middle East and bring the Trump standard of luxury to the region through our long-standing relationship with Dar Global. This collaboration embodies our shared vision of creating landmark developments that exude luxury, quality, and sophistication. Together with Dar Global, we are setting new benchmarks for excellence, aiming to meet the demand for iconic properties in key markets.”
Dar Global PLC is a highly differentiated international real estate business, primarily focusing on developing second homes for internationally mobile customers in desirable locations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Europe, including downtown Dubai, Muscat in Oman, and the Costa del Sol region in Southern Spain.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
