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Structure & Specs

Concrete Slab Grade

The concrete slab grade — M-class, H1, H2, or E — is determined by your soil's reactivity and directly affects the structural engineering and cost of your foundation. It's one of the most important and least understood specifications in a building contract.

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Builders Include Standard

Offer as Upgrade

Do Not Include

What is it?

Concrete slab grade refers to the engineering classification of your foundation based on soil reactivity. M-class (moderately reactive) is the most common standard. H1 and H2 (highly reactive) require stronger slabs with deeper beams or piers. E-class (extremely reactive) needs the most robust foundation design. The grade is determined by a geotechnical soil test.

Why buyers compare it

A higher slab grade can add $5,000–$20,000+ to site costs
Some builders quote an M-class slab allowance that proves inadequate after soil testing
The correct slab grade prevents cracking and structural issues for the life of the home
Soil reactivity varies significantly even within the same estate

Is it worth upgrading?

Your soil test indicates H1, H2, or E-class reactive soil

Your builder's standard allowance is for M-class but your block is more reactive

You want a waffle pod or raft slab engineered for your actual soil conditions

You're building in an area known for reactive clay soils

Your soil test confirms M-class and the builder's allowance is adequate

Your block has stable, sandy soil with minimal reactivity

Questions to Ask Your Builder

What slab grade has been assumed in the quote — M, H1, H2, or E?Has a soil test been completed, or is the grade an estimate?Is the slab a waffle pod or raft slab design?What happens if the soil test reveals a higher reactivity than assumed?Is the slab upgrade cost fixed or provisional?Does the slab include piers or deep footings if required?

Concrete Slab Grade — Typical Costs

M-Class Slab

Included (standard)

Moderately reactive soil — standard raft or waffle pod slab

H1 / H2 Slab Upgrade

$5,000 – $15,000

Highly reactive soil — stronger slab, deeper beams, possible piers

E-Class / Piered Slab

$15,000 – $30,000+

Extremely reactive — engineered piered slab or deep foundation

Compare My Build Tip

Never accept a site cost quote that assumes M-class soil without an actual geotechnical report. If the soil test later reveals H1 or H2 reactivity, the slab upgrade becomes a variation — and you're already locked into the contract. Insist on a soil test before signing.

Which Builders Include Concrete Slab Grade?

BuilderStatusValueUpgrade Cost

SJD Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Southern Vale Homes

Included

up to 'MD' class

—

Fairhaven Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Aston Homes

Included

'H1' Grade

—

Beachwood Homes

Included

'H' Class

—

SOHO Living

Included

'M' up to 'P' Class

—

Simonds Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Hudson Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Evoca Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Hallmark Homes

Included

'S' Grade

—

Bold Living

Included

Unknown Class

—

DR Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Carlisle Homes

Included

'H' Class

—

JG King Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Clarendon Homes QLD

Included

'S' Class

—

Arden Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

McDonald Jones Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Henley Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Cougar Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Value Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Kingsbridge Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Coral Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Metricon Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Integrity New Homes

Included

Unknown

—

Ownit Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Brighton Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Gemini Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Indigo Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

AUSMAR Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

DARE Homes

Included

To suit soil classification

—

CJ Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Stroud Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

McCarthy Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Dixon Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Rawson Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

OJ Pippin Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Vantage Building Group

Included

'H1' Class

—

Fresh Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Omni Built Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Plantation Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Stylemaster Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Hotondo Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Homes by CMA

Included

'H1' Class

—

Mimosa Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Wide Bay Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Austart Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Omnia Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Emerald Developments

Included

'H1' Class

—

Boutique Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Burbank Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Orbit Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Steve Bagnall Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Homebuyers Centre - VIC

Included

'M' Class

—

Tapscott Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Nostra Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

G.J. Gardner Homes – Gold Coast South

Included

'M' Class

—

Ausbuild Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

P.J Burns Builder

Included

'H1' Class

—

CCS Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

ABC Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Kiba Built

Included

'H1' Class

—

Leonard Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

G.J Gardner Homes – Melbourne North West

Included

'M' Class

—

Eden Brae Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Bellriver Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

New Living Homes

Included

'H1' Grade

—

Masterton Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Domaine Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

MOJO Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Champion Homes

Included

'H' Class

—

Montgomery Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Hibbarb Homes

Included

As per engineering

—

Wisdom Homes

Included

'H1' Grade

—

Candor Homes

Included

Unknown

—

Lily Homes

Included

'H1' Grade

—

Fowler Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Tempo Living

Included

'H1' Class

—

Kurmond Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Perry Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Winton Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Trend Connection Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Casaview Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Vogue Homes

Included

'H' Class

—

Baygrove Designer Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Kaplan Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Crystele Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Practical Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Eagle Homes

Included

'H1' Grade

—

Dream Scope Homes

Included

up to 'H2' Class

—

Arcadia Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Homes By DJ Jones

Included

'H1' Class

—

Ellis Developments

Included

'H2' Class

—

MasterBuilt Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Bundy Homes

Included

Up to 'H2' Class

—

Arden Vale Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

G&P Builders

Included

'M' Class

—

McLachlan Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Weeks Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Metro Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Kookaburra Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Coast Life Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

CSB Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Everyday Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Infinite Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

King Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Malpress Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Stonewood Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Bennic Homes

Included

—

Movinda Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Verona Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Clarendon Homes NSW

Included

'M' Class

—

Arli Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Metronest Homes

Included

'H2' Class

—

Oxame Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Melbourne Homes

Included

Unknown

—

5AB Homes VIC

Included

Unknown Class

—

5AB Homes SA

Included

Unknown Class

—

Hudson Ridge Builders

Included

'H2' Class

—

Langdon Building

Included

'H1' Class

—

Lane Housing Co

Included

'M' Class

—

Arkadian Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Oasis Building Group

Included

'H2' Class

—

McMaster Designer Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Highmark Homes

Included

'H' Class

—

Hearty Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Sessions Builders

Included

Concrete slab based on Engineers Design

—

Colmac Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Legend Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Key Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Allworth Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Garraway Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Hosies Homes

Included

'M-D' Class

—

Redink Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Ultra Living Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Neptune Homes

Included

'S' Class

—

Costa Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Better Built Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Vision Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Tullipan Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Oakworth Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Green Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Bluetongue Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Meridian Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Homes By ZAC

Included

Unknown Class

—

Provincial Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Avia Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Kline Homes

Included

All Classes Included

—

Ridgewater Homes

Included

Unknown Class

—

Central Property

Included

up to 'H2' class

—

Paul Gray Builders

Included

'M' Class

—

Twomey Homes

Included

'H1' Class

—

Xircon Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

Oakridge Living

Included

'H1' Class

—

Hunter Homes

Included

'M' Class

—

MyStyle Homes

Unknown

—

Aspect Homes

Unknown

—

Related Guides

What Are Inclusions vs Upgrades?

Understand the difference between standard inclusions and paid upgrades in a new home build.

Hidden Costs Builders Don't Mention

Discover the costs that builders commonly exclude from their advertised 'from' prices.

Upgrade Costs Guide

Full breakdown of common upgrade costs across all categories in Australian home builds.

What to Compare Before Signing

The essential checklist of what to compare between builders before you sign a contract.

Compare Concrete Slab Grade Across All Builders

Use our free comparison tool to see all inclusions side-by-side and find the best builder for your needs.

Compare All Builders

Concrete Slab Grade

What is it?

Why buyers compare it

Is it worth upgrading?

Questions to Ask Your Builder

Concrete Slab Grade — Typical Costs

Which Builders Include Concrete Slab Grade?

Related Guides

What Are Inclusions vs Upgrades?

Hidden Costs Builders Don't Mention

Upgrade Costs Guide

What to Compare Before Signing

Compare Concrete Slab Grade Across All Builders

Compare Builders with Concrete Slab Grade Included

Related: Structure & Specs

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