- 3D-printed homes can be built faster and with less waste than traditional houses.
- Costs can also be lower, particularly for simple designs or regional builds, though savings can vary widely.
- Financing may become a key hurdle, with some lenders likely cautious about funding newer construction methods.
3D printing technology means it’s now possible to build a house faster, cheaper and more sustainably than traditional construction methods. Uptake of the innovative approach has accelerated in recent years, with certified, liveable homes and social housing developments already completed in Australia, and entire 3D-printed neighbourhoods emerging overseas.
However, Australians considering 3D printing their own home should pay close attention to financing options before going too far down the rabbit hole.
What are 3D printed houses?
3D printing a house requires a technology known as contour crafting. It sees a robotic arm extruder moving on rails, printing the house layer-by-layer using a concrete material. The concrete is heated and squeezed through a nozzle on the end of the robotic arm. Exactly like a normal 3D printer, except much larger!
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Co-founder and CEO of 3D printing construction company Luyten, Ahmed Mahil, estimates that up to 30% of housing in Australia’s outback, regional, and remote areas will be built using 3D printing technology by the year 2030.
What does it cost to 3D print a house?
"Depending on factors such as how many extra trades are required and the percentage of the project being built using 3D concrete printing, the total cost for 3D house printing is approximately 30% to 70% cheaper than traditional homes.
"Why pay a builder $800,000 for a new home, when a 3D printed home only costs a fraction of this?
How long does it take to 3D print a house?
"The 3D concrete printing revolutionary technology reduces 60% of construction waste, 70% of production time, and 80% of labour costs when comparing hands-on construction projects.
"We are able to build a three-bedroom home in as little as three days. The process involves printing the structural elements in two days and assembling the components on day three. Printed elements are ready to handle and be moved within only five hours of being printed."
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3D printed homes are on their way to revolutionising the building sector. However, this doesn't mean traditional building methods will be forced out of the equation. If the time ever comes to choose between a 3D printed home or a brick and beam home, weigh the pros and cons of each to work out which option suits you best.
Pay particular attention to your financing options, as some banks and lenders may be hesitant to provide a home loan or construction loan for new or unfamiliar construction methods.
How much does it cost to 3D print a house?
Ever heard the saying 'how long is a piece of string?' Just as it’s quite impossible to put an exact figure on the cost of a typical house build, the same can be said for a 3D printed house.
However, according to Mr Mahil, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom 3D printed house can be built in as little as 18 hours for approximately $7,000. Though, that's dependent on countless factors, including how much of the project is 3D printed and how many additional traders are required to complete it.
Mr Mahil owns a 3D printed home himself, revealing he was building the country's first multi-story, purely 3D printed home in the Melbourne suburb of Wyndham in 2025.
He told The Guardian that by 3D printing his home, he spent 25% to 30% less than the comparative quotes he sourced from traditional builders.
How to 3D print a house
- Design a blueprint
As with most home builds, the process begins with a detailed design. A digital blueprint of the home is created using 3D modelling software, typically with the involvement of an architect, building designer or engineer. This design sets out the home’s dimensions, layout and structural elements, and can usually be customised to suit the homeowner’s preferences, provided it meets local planning and building code requirements. - Send the design to the 3D printer
Once the design has been approved by relevant parties, including engineers and certifiers, the digital file is sent to the 3D printer. At this stage, site preparation and printer setup can begin. - Begin printing
The printer then constructs the home’s structural elements layer by layer, most commonly using a specialised concrete or cement-based material. Depending on the system used, this may include the walls and, in some cases, elements of the slab or foundations. Printing can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, significantly reducing build time compared to traditional methods. - Additional construction
While 3D printing can form the structural shell of a home, it does not produce a finished dwelling. Traditional trades, including plumbers, electricians, roofers and carpenters, are still required to install services, fixtures, fittings, windows, roofing and interior finishes to make the home compliant and liveable.
Could 3D-printed homes improve housing supply and sustainability?
The innovative construction process is often cheaper, faster, and less wasteful than traditional methods, and it's already being used to fast-track social housing in parts of Australia.
Some builders have begun mixing 3D printing with another innovative building methods. Contour3D’s Genesis Project combines a 3D printed ground floor with a first story built from a lightweight modular system designed by Versiclad.
"Genesis has a high-end finish and design, however, the same technology and methodologies are identical to those used in more affordable or social housing," Contour3D CEO and founder Nick Holden said.
"This project was undertaken to demonstrate that 3D concrete printing on a large scale can be a viable solution for the industry and the housing crisis."
The resulting luxury building boasts a 7.9 star NatHERS rating, exceeding the 7-star requirement for new builds, resulted in essentially no construction waste, and the concrete product used in the printing process contains 40% recycled materials.
Meanwhile, a 3D printed duplex, built in Dubbo under a partnership between the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office, Aboriginal Sustainable Homes, and Contour3D, was completed in 2025. The houses were to be offered as homes for Aboriginal social housing tenants.
NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the pilot project was "just the beginning".
"The success of this pilot proves 3D-printing can help us build quality homes faster, particularly in regional and remote areas where demand is high".
What are the pros and cons of 3D printed houses?
Pros of 3D printing a house
Cost savings
Building a 3D printed home can cost between 30% and 70% less than a standard construction process.
Fast completion time
3D printing a house is much faster than building a house the traditional way. While the actual time frame relies on the size of the project, construction of a shell can take as little as 24 hours for a small home.
Can circumvent design or location challenges
3D printing has the capability to design shapes or build homes in locations that aren't possible, or are prohibitively expensive, with normal construction methods.
“Australia’s red centre consists of some of the harshest weather on the globe," Mr Mahil said. “Our technology and proprietary Ultimatecrete is ideal for building houses in these types of challenging conditions.”
Sustainability
3D printing generally generates less waste than a standard construction project, as the house is built on-demand and only uses the required amount of material. If there were to be leftover concrete, it can be recycled for future use.
Cons of 3D printing a house
Can’t build an entire home
As previously mentioned, a 3D printer is only able to print the foundation and walls of a home. Thus, you'll still need to hire your usual trades to finish off the build.
Aesthetic
The telltale 'layered' concrete walls of a 3D printed home may not be desirable to certain homeowners.
Industry knowledge gaps
In order to design 3D printed homes, architects must know how to provide construction instructions able to be understood by a machine. While architects currently use a design software to produce a PDF version of construction instructions (which is read by a human), a 3D printer requires machine code.
Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.
| Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | Max LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Extra Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare | Promoted Product | Disclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.94% p.a. | 5.98% p.a. | $2,978 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $530 | 90% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.89% p.a. | 5.80% p.a. | $2,962 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $0 | 80% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.99% p.a. | 6.02% p.a. | $2,995 | Principal & Interest | Fixed | $0 | $0 | 60% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
5.93% p.a. | 5.93% p.a. | $2,975 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $395 | 70% | Disclosure |
