How much space does a staircase take?

A straight flight typically consumes 3 to 4 m² on each level, so 6 to 8 m² across the house, plus the landing and the void. It is easy to underestimate on a first draft, and it is the change that most often forces a redraw.

Why does double-storey cost less per square metre?

The roof and the slab are shared across two levels rather than one, and those are expensive elements. External wall area goes up while roof and footing quantities stay much the same, which is exactly what the takeoff shows when you compare the two.

PlanHome Open editor

Double-storey house plans

Double-storey plans buy floor area without buying more land, which is why they dominate on smaller and infill blocks. The layout hinges on the stair: where it lands upstairs decides the hallway, and how it is enclosed downstairs decides whether the living area feels open or cut in half.

20 editable layouts. Open one in the editor to move walls and rooms, then read the material quantities measured off your own drawing. PlanHome measures; your builder prices it with their rates.

Double-storey #1

3 bed · 325 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #2

5 bed · 273 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #3

4 bed · 259 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #4

4 bed · 294 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #5

4 bed · 314 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #6

4 bed · 266 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #7

5 bed · 301 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #8

4 bed · 338 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #9

3 bed · 289 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #10

4 bed · 344 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #11

3 bed · 292 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #12

5 bed · 258 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #13

5 bed · 337 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #14

3 bed · 306 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #15

5 bed · 304 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #16

5 bed · 281 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #17

5 bed · 275 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #18

4 bed · 263 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #19

4 bed · 257 m² · 2 storey

Double-storey #20

5 bed · 310 m² · 2 storey

Common questions

How much space does a staircase take?: A straight flight typically consumes 3 to 4 m² on each level, so 6 to 8 m² across the house, plus the landing and the void. It is easy to underestimate on a first draft, and it is the change that most often forces a redraw.
Why does double-storey cost less per square metre?: The roof and the slab are shared across two levels rather than one, and those are expensive elements. External wall area goes up while roof and footing quantities stay much the same, which is exactly what the takeoff shows when you compare the two.

Other plan types

Working out what a plan will need in materials? See how the material takeoff works.