Warehouse Cost in Australia (2025): Sheds, Garages and Industrial Steel Buildings

Primary keyword: warehouse cost | Secondary keyword: how much does a warehouse cost

This guide takes a practical, Australian-first view for homeowners, renovators, and property investors comparing Colorbond steel sheds, custom garages, rural sheds, and industrial warehouses.

How much does a warehouse cost in Australia in 2025?

Short answer: it depends on size, wind region, cladding (Colorbond vs Zincalume), slab thickness, eave height, and fit-out. Here are ballpark build-only price ranges (ex-GST) to help you plan:

• DIY shed kits (single garage to small workshop): approx. $150–$300 per m²
• Custom Colorbond garages and premium workshops: approx. $350–$900 per m²
• Rural/farm sheds (open bays or partial walls): approx. $250–$650 per m²
• Cold-shell industrial warehouse (no office fit-out): approx. $900–$1,800 per m²
• Warehouse with office/amenities fit-out: approx. $1,500–$3,000+ per m²

Allow extra for site works, engineering, permits, cyclonic upgrades, services, and contingencies.

What drives warehouse and shed costs?

• Wind region and terrain: AS/NZS 1170.2 wind Region A–D; cyclonic Region C/D (parts of QLD/WA) increases steel size, connections, and hold-downs. Added 2024 WA wind-rating compliance notes
• Dimensions: Wider spans, higher eaves, and long bay spacing increase steel tonnage and crane time.
• Cladding: Colorbond vs Zincalume, sheet thickness, and anti-condensation blankets or insulated roof panels.
• Open vs enclosed bays: Rural sheds with open fronts cost less than fully enclosed workshops with roller doors and windows.
• Concrete slab: Thickness (100–200 mm+), reinforcement, footings, and forklift load specs.
• Doors and access: Large industrial roller doors, PA doors, glazing, louvres, vermin-proofing.
• Fit-out: Office mezzanines, amenities, fire protection, ESFR sprinklers (where required), electrical, solar.
• Location and logistics: Remote or regional delivery, crane access, sandy vs clay sites, and stormwater requirements.

Typical line items and realistic allowances

• Engineering and certified drawings: $1,200–$8,000+ (size and wind region dependent)
• Concrete slab and footings: $120–$180 per m² for standard residential slabs; $180–$350+ per m² for heavier industrial loads
• Erection (labour, plant, crane): 20–35% of kit value for non-cyclonic; 30–45% for cyclonic regions
• Insulation/blankets or insulated panels: $12–$80 per m² roof area
• Roller doors (residential): from $1,100–$3,500; commercial extra-wide/high from $4,000–$12,000+
• Gutters, downpipes, and stormwater: $1,500–$8,000+ (size and council drainage rules)
• Council/permit fees: $500–$4,000+ (planning + building permits, region dependent)

Colorbond vs Zincalume — which is better for WA conditions?

What are the best shed materials for Perth’s climate?

• Colorbond Ultra or standard Colorbond with marine-grade fixings if you’re within 1 km of surf
• Zincalume for inland or rural WA where budget is key
• Insulated roof panels or at least R1.3–R2.5 roof blankets to manage heat and condensation
• Hot-dip galvanised purlins and columns for exposed coastal sites or fertiliser storage environments

How to get council approval for your custom shed in WA

Step-by-step (typical pathway)

1. Check local planning rules (LPS/R-Codes) for setbacks, height, and site coverage.
2. Obtain engineering-certified drawings and site plan (showing stormwater, slab, and setbacks).
3. Choose certified (BA1) or uncertified (BA2) Building Permit application under the WA Building Act 2011.
4. Lodge with required documents: energy provisions (NCC 2022), structural certification, bushfire (BAL, if applicable), and owner/builder or builder details.
5. On approval, schedule slab, delivery, and erection; book mandatory inspections if specified by your permit.

Other states: NSW may require DA or CDC; QLD private certifiers can assess Class 10a sheds; always confirm local requirements.

Warehouse cost examples (realistic scenarios)

Case study 1 — Custom-built double garage in Perth

• Size: 7 m x 7 m x 2.7 m eave
• Spec: Colorbond cladding, 2x roller doors, roof blanket, concrete slab
• Indicative costs: Kit $10k–$16k; slab $6k–$9k; erection $5k–$8k; permits/engineering $1.5k–$3k
• Total: $22.5k–$36k (site dependent)

Case study 2 — Rural machinery shed, NSW

• Size: 24 m x 12 m x 4.5 m eave, three open bays, one enclosed workshop bay
• Spec: Zincalume walls/roof, Colorbond doors to enclosed bay
• Indicative costs: Structure $70k–$110k; slab (enclosed bay only) $7k–$12k; erection $25k–$40k
• Total: $102k–$162k

Case study 3 — Cold-shell warehouse, Brisbane fringe

• Size: 1,200 m² GFA, 8 m eave, 2 large motorised roller shutters
• Spec: Colorbond roof/walls, ventilation, basic electrical, forklift-rated slab
• Indicative costs: $1,100–$1,600 per m² shell; fit-out extra
• Total shell: $1.32m–$1.92m

Buying checklist — 5-step guide for custom sheds in Australia

1. Define use-case: Farm machinery storage, workshop shed, boat shed, or council-approved sheds WA for residential lots.
2. Match wind rating: Non-cyclonic vs cyclone-rated sheds QLD and WA north; confirm AS/NZS 1170.2 compliance.
3. Choose cladding: Run a Colorbond vs Zincalume comparison; specify insulation and condensation control.
4. Get fixed quotes: Include kit, slab, erection, permits, and drainage; verify lead times and warranties.
5. Plan services: Power, water, stormwater, solar-ready roof, and future mezzanine storage.

How do DIY shed kits compare to custom-built?

FAQ — Your warehouse cost and shed questions answered

What wind rating do I need?

It’s site-specific. Use AS/NZS 1170.2 and local terrain/exposure assessments. Coastal QLD and WA north are often Region C/D (cyclonic), needing higher-spec frames and fixings.

Do I need a slab?

For garages and warehouses, yes — slab thickness and reinforcement depend on loads (cars vs forklifts). Some rural hay sheds can start with piers and compacted gravel, adding slabs later.

What about bushfire (BAL) and corrosion zones?

BAL ratings in bushfire-prone areas affect cladding, ember protection, and glazing. Coastal corrosion zones call for Colorbond Ultra or galvanised components and stainless fixings.

How long does it take?

Lead times fluctuate with steel supply. Typical: 1–3 weeks for approvals, 2–6 weeks for fabrication, and 1–3 weeks for erection (size/region dependent).

Is Colorbond worth it over Zincalume?

For premium homes, coastal locations, and heat management, Colorbond usually pays back in durability and aesthetics. Inland budget rural sheds may suit Zincalume.

Local compliance, standards and climate notes

• NCC 2022 (BCA): Energy and structural provisions apply to Class 10a sheds and Class 7b warehouses.
• AS/NZS 1170.2: Wind actions — ensure engineering matches your region.
• Stormwater and permeability: Councils may require on-site retention or specific gutter/downpipe sizing.
• Heat and cyclones: Use higher-spec cladding and connections for cyclonic areas; insulated roofs reduce peak internal temperatures in Perth and inland NSW/SA.

Who is this guide for? Keyword clusters we cover

• Local: steel sheds Perth, custom carports Melbourne, rural sheds NSW, industrial sheds Brisbane, boat shed Sydney, driveway carport Adelaide, barn-style shed Victoria
• Technical: Colorbond vs Zincalume comparison, wind-rated sheds for cyclonic areas, roller door sizes Australia, insulated panel roofing, vermin-proofing, concrete slab cost per m²
• Use-case: farm machinery storage, workshop shed, garage with workshop, hay shed, solar-ready shed roof
• Compliance: NCC 2022, BAL ratings, council-approved sheds WA, cyclone-rated sheds QLD

Planning your budget: a simple framework

Residential garage or premium workshop (20–60 m²)

• Entry kit + slab + DIY: $8k–$18k
• Turnkey Colorbond with insulation: $20k–$45k+

Rural shed (100–300 m²)

• Open-bay Zincalume: $30k–$120k
• Mixed-bays with enclosed workshop, Colorbond facade: $80k–$200k

Industrial warehouse (500–5,000 m²)

• Cold shell: $900–$1,800 per m²
• With office/amenities: $1,500–$3,000+ per m²

Allow 10–15% contingency for rock excavation, service upgrades, or market-led steel price fluctuation (see 2024–2025 steel market outlooks).

Action plan: get the right quote the first time

What to include when requesting quotes

• Site address and wind region (attach a simple site plan)
• Preferred cladding (Colorbond colour or Zincalume), roof pitch, and insulation
• Eave height, bay spacing, and door sizes/locations
• Concrete spec (thickness, loads), drainage expectations, and power needs
• Whether you want us to handle permits and engineering

Useful Australian resources

• Housing Industry Association (HIA) — outdoor structures insights and compliance updates
• Australian Steel Institute — steel design and corrosion guidance
• Bureau of Meteorology cyclone info — understand wind regions and seasonal risks
• CSIRO — bushfire (BAL) and building science resources
• Energy.gov.au — energy efficiency in sheds and warehouses

Free costed concept and site check

Want a tailored warehouse cost or premium Colorbond shed price for your block? We’ll run wind ratings, check council rules, and spec Colorbond vs Zincalume options — including slab and erection — so you can compare DIY shed kits against a turnkey install with confidence.

Notes, standards and annotations

• Added 2024 WA wind-rating compliance notes for Regions A–D and terrain categories
• References: recent HIA outdoor structures reporting, the Australian Steel Institute’s corrosion guidance, and BoM regional wind/cyclone data
• We follow NCC 2022 and AS/NZS 1170.2 for engineering and approvals. Always confirm local council requirements before ordering materials.