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An interactive comparison platform for home buyers to evaluate builders, plans, and inclusions in their region side-by-side.

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Comfort & Climate

Split System

A split system air conditioner is the most basic form of cooling inclusion offered by builders — and when it's the only air conditioning in the package, it's worth understanding exactly what you're getting and what you're not.

Builders Include Standard

Offer as Upgrade

Do Not Include

What is it?

A split system air conditioner consists of an outdoor compressor unit and a single indoor wall-mounted unit that cools (and in reverse-cycle models, heats) one room or zone. Builders who include 'air conditioning' in their standard package often mean a single split system in the main living area — not whole-home cooling.

Why buyers compare it

A single split system only cools one room — not the whole home
Some builders advertise 'air conditioning included' when it's only a single split
Adding split systems to every room post-build is expensive and visually intrusive
Ducted air conditioning provides far superior comfort if included at a similar cost

Is it worth upgrading?

You only need cooling in the main living area

Your climate is mild and a single unit is sufficient

You plan to add additional split systems or ducted later

You need whole-home temperature control (consider ducted instead)

You live in a hot climate where a single split system won't cope

You don't want multiple outdoor units visible on your home's exterior

Questions to Ask Your Builder

Is a split system included as standard, and in which room?What is the capacity in kW, and is it reverse-cycle (heating and cooling)?What brand and model is specified?Can additional split systems be added to bedrooms at what cost?Is the upgrade to ducted air conditioning available, and at what cost?Is the split system installed during construction or left for post-handover?

Split System — Typical Costs

Single Split System

$2,000 – $4,000

One reverse-cycle unit in the main living area

Multi-Split (3 Units)

$6,000 – $10,000

Living area plus two bedrooms — separate outdoor units

Ducted Upgrade

$8,000 – $15,000 additional

Upgrade from a single split to whole-home ducted reverse-cycle

Compare My Build Tip

If your builder includes only a single split system, check whether the upgrade to ducted is cheaper to include in the contract than installing ducted post-handover. Retrofitting ducted air conditioning after the roof is on can cost 50–100% more than during construction.

Which Builders Include Split System?

BuilderStatusValueUpgrade Cost

Evoca Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Simonds Homes

Included

N/A

—

Hallmark Homes

Included

—

Hudson Homes

Included

—

Brighton Homes

Included

N/A

—

Kiba Built

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Homes by CMA

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

McCarthy Homes

Included

N/A

—

DARE Homes

Included

1 x Living room + 1 x Main bedroom

—

CJ Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

DR Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Dixon Homes

Included

Living + Main room ONLY

—

OJ Pippin Homes

Included

N/A

—

Aspect Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Vantage Building Group

Included

Living room ONLY

—

CCS Homes

Included

Living + Main room ONLY

—

Cougar Homes

Included

—

Value Homes

Included

Living + Bedrooms

—

MyStyle Homes

Included

—

Austart Homes

Included

—

Gemini Homes

Included

Living + Main room ONLY

—

Integrity New Homes

Included

Unknown

—

Emerald Developments

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Fresh Homes

Included

1 x Living room + 1 x Main bedroom

—

G.J. Gardner Homes – Gold Coast South

Included

N/A

—

Arden Homes

Included

N/A

—

Boutique Homes

Included

Living + Main Bedroom ONLY

—

Kingsbridge Homes

Included

Living room (+ Main bedroom double storey ONLY)

—

McDonald Jones Homes

Included

N/A

—

Rawson Homes

Included

N/A

—

SOHO Living

Included

Living + Bedrooms

—

Beachwood Homes

Included

N/A

—

SJD Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Southern Vale Homes

Included

N/A

—

Bellriver Homes

Included

N/A

—

New Living Homes

Included

N/A

—

Champion Homes

Included

N/A

—

Montgomery Homes

Included

N/A

—

Hibbarb Homes

Included

N/A

—

Candor Homes

Included

N/A

—

Lily Homes

Included

N/A

—

Fowler Homes

Included

N/A

—

Tempo Living

Included

N/A

—

Kurmond Homes

Included

N/A

—

Vogue Homes

Included

N/A

—

Kaplan Homes

Included

N/A

—

Eagle Homes

Included

—

Arcadia Homes

Included

—

Homes By DJ Jones

Included

—

Ellis Developments

Included

—

MasterBuilt Homes

Included

Unknown

—

Arden Vale Homes

Included

—

Coast Life Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Everyday Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Malpress Homes

Included

N/A

—

Stonewood Homes

Included

1 x Living room + 1 x Main bedroom

—

Bennic Homes

Included

N/A

—

Verona Homes

Included

N/A

—

Arli Homes

Included

N/A

—

Metronest Homes

Included

N/A

—

Oxame Homes

Included

N/A

—

Lane Housing Co

Included

N/A

—

Arkadian Homes

Included

N/A

—

McMaster Designer Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Highmark Homes

Included

Living room ONLY

—

Hearty Homes

Included

Living + Main Bedroom ONLY

—

Garraway Homes

Included

N/A

—

Redink Homes

Included

N/A

—

Ultra Living Homes

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Better Built Homes

Included

N/A

—

Homes By ZAC

Included

N/A

—

Avia Homes

Included

1 x Living room + 1 x Main bedroom

—

Kline Homes

Included

N/A

—

Ridgewater Homes

Included

N/A

—

Central Property

Included

Living room ONLY

—

Paul Gray Builders

Included

N/A

—

Twomey Homes

Included

N/A

—

Oakridge Living

Included

Living Room ONLY

—

Hunter Homes

Included

N/A

—

Coral Homes

Upgrade

—

Orbit Homes

Upgrade

—

Clarendon Homes QLD

Upgrade

—

Metricon Homes

Upgrade

—

Stylemaster Homes

Upgrade

—

Burbank Homes

Upgrade

—

Stroud Homes

Upgrade

—

ABC Homes

Upgrade

—

Bold Living

Upgrade

—

Ownit Homes

Upgrade

—

Omni Built Homes

Upgrade

—

Plantation Homes

Upgrade

—

Leonard Homes

Upgrade

—

Hotondo Homes

Upgrade

—

Indigo Homes

Upgrade

—

AUSMAR Homes

Upgrade

—

Tapscott Homes

Upgrade

—

Wide Bay Homes

Upgrade

—

Steve Bagnall Homes

Upgrade

—

P.J Burns Builder

Upgrade

—

Ausbuild Homes

Upgrade

—

Henley Homes

Upgrade

—

Carlisle Homes

Upgrade

—

JG King Homes

Upgrade

—

Mimosa Homes

Upgrade

—

Homebuyers Centre - VIC

Upgrade

—

Nostra Homes

Upgrade

—

Omnia Homes

Upgrade

—

Fairhaven Homes

Upgrade

—

Aston Homes

Upgrade

—

G.J Gardner Homes – Melbourne North West

Upgrade

—

Eden Brae Homes

Upgrade

—

Masterton Homes

Upgrade

—

Domaine Homes

Upgrade

—

MOJO Homes

Upgrade

—

Wisdom Homes

Upgrade

—

Perry Homes

Upgrade

—

Winton Homes

Upgrade

—

Trend Connection Homes

Upgrade

—

Casaview Homes

Upgrade

—

Baygrove Designer Homes

Upgrade

—

Crystele Homes

Upgrade

—

Practical Homes

Upgrade

—

Dream Scope Homes

Upgrade

—

Bundy Homes

Upgrade

—

G&P Builders

Upgrade

—

McLachlan Homes

Upgrade

—

Weeks Homes

Upgrade

—

Metro Homes

Upgrade

—

Kookaburra Homes

Upgrade

—

CSB Homes

Upgrade

—

Infinite Homes

Upgrade

—

King Homes

Upgrade

—

Movinda Homes

Upgrade

—

Clarendon Homes NSW

Upgrade

—

Melbourne Homes

Upgrade

—

5AB Homes VIC

Upgrade

—

5AB Homes SA

Upgrade

—

Hudson Ridge Builders

Upgrade

—

Langdon Building

Upgrade

—

Oasis Building Group

Upgrade

—

Sessions Builders

Upgrade

—

Colmac Homes

Upgrade

—

Legend Homes

Upgrade

—

Key Homes

Upgrade

—

Allworth Homes

Upgrade

—

Hosies Homes

Upgrade

—

Neptune Homes

Upgrade

—

Costa Homes

Upgrade

—

Vision Homes

Upgrade

—

Tullipan Homes

Upgrade

—

Oakworth Homes

Upgrade

—

Green Homes

Upgrade

—

Bluetongue Homes

Upgrade

—

Meridian Homes

Upgrade

—

Provincial Homes

Upgrade

—

Xircon Homes

Upgrade

—

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 Split System 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

Split System

What is it?

Why buyers compare it

Is it worth upgrading?

Questions to Ask Your Builder

Split System — Typical Costs

Which Builders Include Split System?

Related Guides

What Are Inclusions vs Upgrades?

Hidden Costs Builders Don't Mention

Upgrade Costs Guide

What to Compare Before Signing

Compare Split System Across All Builders

Compare Builders with Split System Included

Related: Comfort & Climate

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