If you’re buying a new spec home from a builder or developer, you may be able to choose some of the details like flooring, appliances, and paint color. The earlier you secure a contract in the process, the more customization you may have. With tract homes, where the developer divides a large tract of land into lots, you will likely have even less say in the homes’ features. Ultimately, to get a home built completely to your standards, you’ll need a fully customized home where you have complete control. With this route, you have to consider many details that can affect the cost, including the design, the materials, and much more.
The Cost of a New Home
With so many factors that go into building a home, including labor and location, the total cost can vary widely. But you should consider several common expenses. In 2019, the average construction cost of a typical single-family home was $296,652, or about $114 per square foot, accounting for roughly 61% of the total sales price, according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders. Within the construction cost, the major expenses are the labor and materials. Ben Neely, owner/president of Riverbend Homes, a boutique custom home builder in the Texas Hill Country area, calls these costs the “sticks and bricks.” He cites a home’s foundation, frame, and roof among the major cost-drivers. Interior finishes, like flooring and drywall, also account for a significant expense in new-home construction. Common home construction costs can be broken down into these major categories (listed here along with their average percentage of total cost):
Interior finishes (25.4% of total cost): drywall, flooring, painting, cabinets, countertops, appliances, plumbing fixtures, insulationFraming (17.4%): framing, trusses, sheathingMajor system rough-ins (14.7%): plumbing, HVAC, electricalExterior finishes (14.1%): roofing, windows, doors, exterior wallsFoundations (11.8%): excavation, foundation, concrete, retaining wall, backfillFinal steps (6.8%): landscaping, outdoor structures, driveway, cleanupSite work (6.2%): permits, architect and engineer fees, water and sewer fees, impact feesMiscellaneous (3.8%): pool, fencing
Keep in mind that these estimates are based on national averages and that your location plays a key role in exact costs. “Hire an experienced general contractor to help guide you through the process,” Neely told The Balance in an email. “There are many moving parts to building a house, and you really need someone with experience managing the process and to help build a budget for your project.”
The Biggest New Home Costs
Let’s take a closer look at these common expenses and other major factors that can affect the total cost of a custom home. That way, you can prepare a budget for each phase of building, from buying land to adding the final coat of paint.
Square Footage
The larger your home, the more expensive it will be to build. Just how much more expensive depends on several factors, including the specific materials and customized features. “Generally speaking, you can expect to build a house anywhere from $120 per square foot to $400 per foot,” Bill Samuel, owner of Blue Ladder Development near Chicago told The Balance in a 2021 email. Geographic location also plays a big role in the cost per square foot. High-end homes in more expensive markets like San Francisco or New York, for example, can cost more than $400 or $500 per square foot. Typically, a general contractor will charge an upfront fee of 10% to 20% of the total project cost. So, if the cost to build your new home was $450,000, a general contractor would probably charge between $45,000 to $90,000. Other professionals you’ll typically need to hire and their average rates include:
Electrician: $50 to $100 per hourPlumber: $45 to $200 per hourRoofer: $5,000 to $10,000Landscape architect: $70 to $150 per hourExterior painter: $1,800 to $4,400Architect: 5% to 20% of total project costStructural engineer: $100 to $200 per hour
Materials
The cost to build a house can fluctuate based on the price of materials. Here are some rough estimates:
Lumber: $25,000 to $65,000 Concrete: $1,000 to $10,000Roofing material: $1,000 to $3,000Drywall: $15 per sheetInsulation: Up to $1 per square footSiding: $2 to $15 per square footFlooring: $1 to $5 per square footLighting Fixtures: $2,000 to $12,000Cabinets (with installation): Up to $30,000Paint/painting: $4,000 to $11,000Appliances: $3,000 to $15,000
Optional items include:
Deck: $16,800 to $22,400Fencing: $1,500 to $3,000Inground pool: $28,000 to $55,000Finished basement: $18,395 on average
Location and Land
In addition to the home itself, the lot or land that you purchase can also have a big impact on the overall cost. Lot costs vary widely, anywhere from about $3,000 to $150,000 per lot. Ultimately, the cost depends on an array of factors, including size, location, and whether or not the lot is finished. (The median lot size for a new single-family detached home sold in 2019 was 8,177 square feet, which is 0.188 of an acre.) You may have additional land-associated costs if you need to clear the land, excavate, or run lines to utilities.
Ways to Save on New Home Construction
When you’re building a fully custom home, some key decisions you make can keep the costs down. Here are some strategies to consider: Buy a flat piece of land. “If you have a heavily sloped lot that requires a lot of excavation work, your budget will quickly explode,” says Samuel. Likewise, digging down to add a basement will add to the cost of your foundation. Use a finished lot if possible. If you’re building on an unfinished lot that doesn’t have access to city grids, waterlines, and sewers, this can increase your price by tens of thousands. Work with your contractor to go over material options and prices. Making wise choices with materials can save you money. For example, choosing a composite shingle roof instead of a metal roof can save you “a large chunk of money,” Neely said. Compare the price of building a two-story home versus a one-story. With a smaller footprint of a two-story home, you won’t need as much land. However, construction costs are often higher for building up versus building out. Crunch the numbers for your options. Keep it simple. Complex or luxury architecture and design features can drive your costs higher. Odd-shaped rooms that do not fit standard-sized appliances also add to total costs. Use your DIY chops. If you have the skills to hang your own cabinets, lay flooring, paint, or do the landscaping, then you could save a significant amount of money by doing that labor yourself. Then, consult with a general contractor in your area to get a better understanding of the specific costs of making your dream custom home a reality. An industry professional can also recommend specific ways to cut costs or improve the quality of your building plans. “A good rule of thumb is to anticipate about one month of construction for every 350 square foot of living area,” said Ben Neely, owner/president of Riverbend Homes. “So a 3,500-square-foot home should take about 10 months to complete.”
