A straight-talking guide for Queensland builders and owner-builders
If you’ve been referred to The Concept Group, chances are someone told you we’re fast, we’re local, and we build on ENDUROFRAME® steel. The next question we almost always hear is: “That sounds great — but what does it cost, and how long will it take?”
Fair question. Here’s an honest answer.
Why builders are asking this question right now
The past few years haven’t been kind to timber supply chains. Price spikes, delivery delays, and quality inconsistency have pushed a lot of Queensland builders and owner-builders to seriously reconsider their framing material. At the same time, insurance premiums in bushfire-prone and cyclonic regions have risen sharply — and that’s where steel starts to make a lot of financial sense beyond just the frame price itself.
ENDUROFRAME® light gauge steel framing, manufactured from BlueScope TRUECORE® steel, is now a mainstream choice across residential and light commercial builds in Queensland — and The Concept Group manufactures it right here in Toowoomba.
What drives the cost of steel framing?
Steel framing isn’t a flat rate per square metre. The price you pay depends on several factors specific to your project:
- Floor area and layout complexity: A simple rectangular floor plan with standard ceiling heights costs less per m² to frame than a multi-level home with complex roof geometry, raked ceilings, or large open spans. More complexity means more engineering time and more custom roll-formed sections.
- Wind classification: Queensland’s wind classifications under AS 4055 and AS/NZS 1170.2 have a direct impact on framing design. A standard N2 suburban site is engineered differently to a C2 or C3 cyclonic site in regional Queensland. Higher wind ratings require heavier gauge steel members and more connection detailing — which adds cost but also adds structural integrity that timber simply can’t match at equivalent weight.
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL): If your site has a BAL rating under the NCC and AS 3959, steel framing is a significant advantage. TRUECORE® steel is non-combustible, which reduces the complexity of BAL compliance and can reduce your overall construction cost in high-BAL zones compared to equivalent timber solutions.
- Frame system scope: Our ENDUROFRAME® system includes wall frames, roof trusses, and floor joists. Whether you need the full system or just wall frames and trusses for a project with a concrete slab, the scope directly affects pricing.
- Delivery distance: We’re based in Toowoomba, which puts us in a strong position to supply the Darling Downs, South East Queensland, and surrounding regional areas cost-effectively. Remote or Far North Queensland sites will carry additional freight.
Realistic price ranges (2025)
We’ll be upfront: publishing a single number for steel framing is misleading, and any supplier who quotes you a precise figure without seeing your plans is guessing. That said, here are realistic ballpark ranges for our supply-only framing packages in Queensland:
- Wall frames (supply only): $38–$65/m² of floor area depending on design complexity and wind classification
- Roof trusses (supply only): $55–$95/m² of roof area depending on pitch, span, and batten spacing
- Full frame package (walls, trusses, floor joists — supply only): $120–$200/m² of floor area as a general range for standard residential
Note: These figures are for materials and engineering only — installation, footings, cladding, and fit-out are separate. For a full modular home package where we handle manufacturing and delivery, the numbers look different again.
The single biggest driver of cost variance is wind classification. A C2-rated frame in regional Queensland can be 25–40% heavier in material than an equivalent N3 suburban frame — that’s real money, and it’s why we always want to see your site address before quoting.
What’s included in a Concept Group steel frame quote?
When we quote a frame supply package, here’s what’s covered:
- ENDUROFRAME® engineering and design using ENDUROCADD® software
- Compliance with NCC Volume One or Two (as applicable), AS/NZS 4600, and AS 1684 equivalent steel design standards
- Wind classification and BAL-appropriate member sizing
- Clearly labelled and bundled frame components ready for site assembly
- Delivery to site (freight quoted separately for regional locations)
What’s not included in a supply-only quote: Installation labour, connection hardware beyond standard frame fixings, footings, concrete, or any trades work on site.
How long does it take?
This is where ENDUROFRAME® steel framing from a local Queensland manufacturer genuinely outperforms most alternatives.
From quote to frame delivery, here’s a realistic timeline:
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Plans received and quote issued | 3–5 business days |
| Quote acceptance and engineering sign-off | 1–2 weeks (dependent on client) |
| Frame manufacture in our Toowoomba factory | 1–3 weeks (depending on scope) |
| Delivery to site | 1–5 days (depending on location) |
| Total from go-ahead to frame on site | 3–6 weeks |
For comparison, some steel frame suppliers in SEQ are currently quoting 10–14 week lead times. Our in-house manufacturing means we control the schedule — we’re not waiting on a third-party fabricator.
For full modular home packages, our standard delivery timeframe is 6–8 weeks from build approval to delivery on site.
What can slow things down?
Being honest here matters. A few things can extend that timeline:
- Incomplete or unapproved drawings: We need engineering-ready plans to begin. Concept sketches or unapproved DA drawings will delay the start of the manufacturing phase.
- Site access issues: Remote or steep sites may require crane delivery planning.
- Scope changes after manufacture commences: Roll-formed steel sections are made to order — changes during production affect scheduling.
- QBCC approvals: If your project requires building approval (most permanent structures do), that process runs in parallel and must be complete before installation begins. It doesn’t affect our manufacturing lead time, but it does affect when your builder can start on site.
The best thing you can do to get frames on site fast is to engage us early — ideally while your building application is being prepared, not after it’s approved.
Steel vs. timber: why the value case is strong
Comparing steel and timber on frame price alone misses the point. The real question is what the choice costs you across the full build — and over the life of the structure.
Here’s where ENDUROFRAME® steel consistently wins:
- No termite treatment required: TRUECORE® steel is termite-proof by nature, eliminating chemical treatment costs at handover and ongoing.
- Dimensional stability: Steel doesn’t shrink, warp, or creep, which means fewer callbacks, less remediation on linings and cladding, and a cleaner finish.
- Lighter and faster to handle on site: Light gauge steel sections are easier to manoeuvre than equivalent timber members, which can reduce installation time and labour costs.
- BAL compliance: Non-combustible framing simplifies bushfire compliance under AS 3959, often reducing the cost and complexity of other building elements in high-BAL zones.
- Insurance: Some insurers are beginning to price steel-framed homes more favourably in cyclone and bushfire-prone regions.
- Longevity: TRUECORE® steel carries a 50-year warranty against structural failure from corrosion in standard residential applications.
When you factor in termite proofing, reduced callbacks, faster site handling, and long-term durability, the case for steel framing in Queensland is compelling — and the numbers tend to stack up across the full project.
How to get a fast, accurate quote
The fastest path to a number is to send us:
- Your architectural plans (DA-approved or in-progress — we can work with either)
- Your site address (so we can confirm wind classification and BAL)
- Your preferred frame scope (wall frames only, full package, or modular home)
- Your target start date on site
We’ll come back to you within 3–5 business days with a detailed frame package quote, not a ballpark.
Get in touch with The Concept Group in Toowoomba 📍 Toowoomba, QLD
✅ QBCC Licensed | Master Builders Member
🌐 theconceptgroup.com.au
The Concept Group manufactures ENDUROFRAME® steel frames and modular homes from our Toowoomba factory. We supply residential and light commercial builders across Queensland and regional New South Wales. All frames are engineered to NCC, AS/NZS 4600, and site-specific wind and BAL classifications.
