Cost Guide

Quantity Surveyor Cost in Melbourne (2026)

By The WTD Editorial Team · Last verified August 2026 · Methodology

Updated August 2026 · Independently researched · 14 min read

A quantity surveyor's tax depreciation schedule costs $600–$950 for a full-inspection residential report in Melbourne in 2026, $350–$550 desktop, and $1,250–$4,000+ for commercial property; insurance valuations run $550–$1,250 and construction cost plans $1,600–$6,500+.

A quantity surveyor measures and costs buildings. For most property owners in Melbourne that means a tax depreciation schedule for an investment property, an insurance replacement-cost report, or a construction cost plan.

Quick answerA quantity surveyor's tax depreciation schedule costs $600–$950 for a full-inspection residential report in Melbourne in 2026, $350–$550 desktop, and $1,250–$4,000+ for commercial property; insurance valuations run $550–$1,250 and construction cost plans $1,600–$6,500+. Get free Melbourne quotes →

Detailed Pricing — Melbourne 2026

+2.5%

Tier	Typical fee	What it funds
Desktop / self-assessed depreciation schedule	$350–$500	No site visit. Suits newer builds with documented costs.
Full-inspection residential schedule	$550–$900	QS inspects and itemises Division 40 and 43 assets. Lasts 40 years, fee is deductible.
Commercial / mixed-use schedule	$1,200–$4,000+	Offices, retail, industrial. Priced on floor area and fit-out complexity.
Insurance replacement-cost report	$500–$1,200	Rebuild valuation for strata or owner insurance.
Cost plan / sinking fund / DA cost report	$1,500–$6,000+	Construction estimating for developers, strata committees and council submissions.

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Prices verified August 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology

What actually moves the price

Desktop vs inspection. A desktop schedule uses plans and photos; a full-inspection schedule sends a QS to site and finds more.
Property type. Residential is a fixed-price product; commercial and mixed-use is priced on floor area and fit-out.
Age and renovation history. Older properties with undocumented renovations take longer to assess.
Report type. A depreciation schedule, an insurance valuation and a DA cost plan are different products at different price points.
Location. Regional travel adds to inspection-based reports.

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How to keep the cost sane

Order before 30 June so the first claim lands in this financial year.

Ask whether a desktop schedule is enough for a newer build with documented costs.

Bundle an insurance valuation with the inspection if you need both; one site visit.

Claim the fee: The report cost is 100% deductible in the year you pay it.

Keep the schedule: It's a one-off that your accountant uses for 40 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a depreciation schedule cost in Melbourne?

A full-inspection residential schedule is typically $550–$900, a desktop schedule $350–$500, and commercial property $1,200–$4,000+ depending on size.

Is the quantity surveyor's fee tax deductible?

Yes. The cost of preparing a depreciation schedule is fully deductible in the year it's paid.

How long does a depreciation schedule last?

The report covers the remaining life of the building allowance, up to 40 years. You order it once.

Can my accountant prepare a depreciation schedule?

Not usually. The ATO requires construction costs to be estimated by a qualified quantity surveyor where actual costs aren't known.

What changed in May 2017?

Second-hand plant and equipment in residential properties bought after 9 May 2017 generally can't be depreciated. Capital works on the building itself still can.

What's an insurance replacement-cost report?

A QS valuation of what it would cost to rebuild the property today, used to set strata or owner insurance sums and avoid under-insurance.

Detailed Pricing — Melbourne 2026

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What actually moves the price

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How to keep the cost sane

Frequently Asked Questions

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