How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?

Are you convinced that the only way to get the house you want is to build it from the ground up? Building a house can cost anywhere from $100 per square foot up to $400+ per square foot in more expensive markets or for luxury properties.

Keep in mind that it’s impossible to say exactly how much it costs to build a specific house because of all the different variables involved - such as land costs, level of finishes, fixtures, types of material used and labor costs. However, in 2021, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that the average price for building a new home was $481,902.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?

Based on a survey of local and regional builders and project managers throughout the Southeastern US, our analysis suggests that the typical cost to build a home is about $160 per square foot. This means that it would cost you about $384,000 to build a 2,400 square foot house with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

On the other hand, the current average price for a single-family home is about $378,500. So, if you're trying to decide if it's better to build or buy, price may not play a huge role depending on where you live.

Construction Costs

Once you've made up your mind that you're planning to build and not buy, it’s time purchase the land and break ground. These are the construction and labor cost estimates based on a 2,400 square foot ranch home.

Site Work – Estimated Cost: $16,000 – This covers everything from site inspections to permits to the “impact fee” you need to pay to the government.
Foundation – Estimated Cost: $26,000 – Before starting on your home, you need excavators to break ground and then use lumber and concrete to build a reliable foundation. The price goes up if the foundation needs to support a basement, too, as it will require digging much deeper into the earth.
Framing – Estimated Cost: $41,000 – Constructing the framework of your home is an important job, one that costs a lot because of the lumber involved. It also entails “sheathing”, which is when wooden layers are added to cover the framework. If your plan involves using other materials, like steel, you can expect a higher price tag.
Exterior Finishes – Estimated Cost: $48,000 – It takes a lot of material to cover your new home’s perimeter. This material is especially important, too, because it’s what stands between you and the elements. This is also when all of your doors and windows are added, another necessary step that can be extremely costly.
Major Systems Installations – Estimated Cost: $46,000 – A modern home needs an HVAC system, electrical, and plumbing. Simply installing these systems – not the actual fixtures – requires skilled labor and long hours.
Interior Finishes – Estimated Cost: $68,000 – This is when all of your fixtures and features get added. Hardwood floors, faucets, countertops, cabinets, fireplaces, etc. There’s a lot that falls under this category, which is why you can easily spend close to $70,000 making your new house feel like a home.

Again, this is only a rough estimate of how much it costs to build a house. Also, keep in mind that it’s an estimate at the lower end of the spectrum. It wouldn’t be hard to spend significantly more.

Making the Plans for Your New Home

Most people enjoy occasionally fantasizing about what they would include in their dream home if they could build one from scratch.

Of course, if you’re planning on building a new house, you actually get to go through the process of putting a completely unique plat, floor plan or building plan together.

Except, even if you choose every last fixture yourself, you still need a professional to actually create the detailed plans. Their expertise is essential for ensuring that the builder can execute those all-important plans correctly.

Like the other costs on this list, the price of hiring a draftsman or architect depends on what you have in mind for your home. Most architects charge between $100 and $130 an hour. For a 1-2 bedroom house, expect to pay $400 to $1,500. For 4-5 bedrooms, you’ll spend anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000.

Buying the Land or Lot for Your Home

If you’re building your home in a pre-planned community, you might be able to purchase your lot directly from the contractor who will simply include the cost with the rest of their fees. Otherwise, you’ll buy the lot separately and then hire a contractor to build your home.

Either way, the cost for the actual lot is substantial, though it differs greatly from one neighborhood to another. The USDA estimated that the average cost for an acre of land is $4,720 but of course, it's more expensive in urban areas, coastal cities or other more expensive regions.

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that simply purchasing a lot usually isn’t enough to begin building a new home.

Usually, this entails clearing the lot of vegetation, large rocks, and any other natural barriers that would stand in the way of building a house. They may also need to grade the land, stake the area where the home will be built, connect the lot to the electrical grid, and much more.

Just like the actual lots themselves, this type of initial work comes with a price that can be difficult to predict. Typically, clearing an empty lot will cost somewhere between $1,850 to $4,500, but again, it varies based on the size of the lot and also the grade and vegetation.

The Perfect House May Already Be Out There

Or you could consider what’s already available.

If your heart is set on a new home, don’t worry. There are usually plenty of brand-new homes on the market that don’t cost nearly as much as building one from scratch.

Even better, if you buy a new build through SimpleShowing, you’ll enjoy the benefits of our Buyer Refund program, which will give you up to $15,000 back at closing.