Answers to the questions we hear most.

Comprehensive answers for clients planning an industrial construction project in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and South East Queensland. If your question isn't answered here, contact our team directly.

General

About Innovare Industrial

We construct the full range of industrial building types: factories and manufacturing facilities, logistics warehouses, distribution centres, cold storage and temperature-controlled warehouses, industrial sheds and workshops, multi-unit industrial developments, self-storage facilities, and transport depots. We also deliver industrial office fit-outs and the full scope of civil and external works. See our services pages for detail on each building type.

Our primary service areas are Brisbane and the Gold Coast — including all major SEQ industrial precincts from Narangba in the north to Ormeau in the south. We also work across broader Queensland where projects warrant it. Contact us to discuss your specific location.

Yes. We operate under the Innovare Group's QBCC builder's licence (15514239), which covers commercial and industrial building work in Queensland. We also hold a NSW builder's licence (474965C). Copies of our licences are available upon request.

Planning & Approvals

Getting a project off the ground

Most industrial projects require two approvals. First, a Development Approval (DA) from the relevant local council, which assesses the proposed use and development against the local planning scheme. Second, a Building Approval (BA) from a private building certifier, which assesses the building design for NCC compliance. For projects involving Environmentally Relevant Activities (fuel storage, truck wash, certain manufacturing processes), an additional ERA approval may be required. We manage all of these approvals as part of our design-and-construct service.

A straightforward Building Approval can be obtained in 2–4 weeks through a private building certifier. A Development Approval typically takes 20–30 business days for code-assessable development, but complex applications or those requiring impact assessment can take considerably longer. Total pre-construction approval timelines of 8–20 weeks are common, depending on the council and application complexity.

Timelines & Costs

Programme and budget

Construction timelines depend significantly on building type and size. As a general guide: small industrial sheds (200–500 m²) take 10–16 weeks; medium warehouses and factories (500–3,000 m²) take 16–28 weeks; large-format distribution centres and manufacturing facilities (3,000 m²+) take 28–52 weeks. Cold storage, multi-storey and technically complex projects require additional time. These are construction timelines only — pre-construction activities add further time.

Costs vary widely with building type, specification, structural system, site conditions and market conditions. Indicative ranges as at 2025:

Building type	Cost range (per m² GFA)
Basic industrial shed / portal frame	$750 – $1,100
Standard logistics warehouse	$900 – $1,400
High-spec warehouse (ESFR, docks)	$1,300 – $1,800
Factory / manufacturing facility	$1,000 – $1,800
Food processing facility	$1,600 – $2,500+
Cold storage (frozen)	$2,000 – $3,500+
Multi-unit industrial development	$850 – $1,300

These are construction costs only and exclude land, professional fees, approvals, fitout and external works. We provide detailed cost estimates following a project briefing.

Yes. Once the design is sufficiently documented and the scope clearly defined, we contract on a fixed-price lump-sum basis. Early-stage engagements — during feasibility and concept design — typically operate on a cost-plan basis with agreed contingencies. We clearly explain what is and is not included, and our variations process is transparent and commercially fair.

Building Systems & Technical

The technical questions

Tilt-up concrete involves casting large wall panels on the building's floor slab and tilting them upright with a mobile crane — providing excellent fire resistance, security and thermal mass. Steel portal frame uses welded steel columns and rafters to create clear-span structural frames clad in metal sheeting. Steel frame is typically faster to erect and more cost-effective for smaller buildings; tilt-up is often more economical for large buildings with extensive wall areas. See our pages on Tilt-Up Concrete and Steel Frame Builds for a detailed comparison.

Most industrial buildings fall into NCC Class 7b (warehouses and storage) or Class 8 (factories, laboratories, and buildings for processing or assembling goods). The classification determines the applicable fire, egress and accessibility requirements. Some industrial buildings include Class 5 (office) or Class 10a (sheds) components. We ensure your building is correctly classified and fully compliant, with a private building certifier issuing the Certificate of Classification upon completion.

Working With Us

Engaging Innovare Industrial

We provide a no-obligation initial consultation and preliminary project assessment at no charge. For projects requiring significant pre-tender design effort, we may propose a paid design-and-construct pre-engagement fee, which is credited against the construction contract upon appointment. We will always be upfront about any fees before incurring them.

This depends on our current project workload, the stage of design and approvals on your project, and the nature of the work. We recommend contacting us as early in your project development as possible — early engagement allows us to programme your project into our forward workload and begin the design process without delay.

Yes. Upon request, we provide references from previous clients who have agreed to speak with prospective clients. We can also facilitate site visits to completed projects, subject to the approval of the relevant occupier or owner.

Absolutely. We encourage prospective clients to meet the specific project director and project manager who would be responsible for their project before committing. Industrial construction is a relationship-based business and we want you to be confident in the team delivering your project.

Still have questions?

Contact our team to discuss your project without obligation — we're happy to talk it through, whatever stage you're at.