Cost to Build a House Calculator

The average cost to build a house in the US ranges from $150–$250 per square foot for standard construction, or $300,000–$500,000 total for a typical 2,000 sq ft home. Economy builds start around $100/sq ft, while luxury custom homes can exceed $400–$600/sq ft. Total cost depends on size, build quality, region, and site conditions.

Building a new house typically costs 10–20% more than buying an existing home of similar size, but you get a brand-new home with modern energy efficiency, no deferred maintenance, and exactly the layout you want. In hot housing markets with limited inventory, building may actually be competitive with buying. Factor in land cost, which is separate from construction cost.

A typical single-family home takes 7–12 months to build from breaking ground to move-in. Simple economy builds can be completed in 5–7 months, while large custom homes may take 12–18 months or more. Permitting adds 1–3 months before construction begins. Weather delays, material shortages, and labor availability can extend timelines.

The most affordable approaches include: choosing a simple rectangular floor plan (complex shapes cost more), building a 2-story home (shares foundation and roof costs), using economy-grade finishes with plans to upgrade later, selecting a region with lower labor costs (South or Midwest), and acting as your own general contractor if experienced. Prefab and modular homes can also save 10–20% over traditional stick-built construction.

Common hidden costs include: land purchase and closing costs, site preparation and grading ($5,000–$20,000), utility connections ($5,000–$30,000), permit and impact fees ($5,000–$15,000), landscaping ($5,000–$25,000), driveway and walkways ($3,000–$10,000), temporary housing during construction, loan interest during building, and change orders (budget 10–15% contingency for unexpected costs).

Two-story homes cost less per square foot because they share the most expensive components — the foundation and roof — across twice the living space. A 2,000 sq ft two-story home has a 1,000 sq ft foundation, while a 2,000 sq ft ranch needs a full 2,000 sq ft foundation. This typically saves 8–12% on the overall cost per square foot compared to a single-story home of the same size.

Building costs vary significantly by US region. The South is the most affordable at roughly 10% below the national average, followed by the Midwest at 5% below average. The Northeast runs about 10% above average due to higher labor costs and stricter building codes. The West is the most expensive at 15% above average, driven by high labor costs and land prices, especially in California and the Pacific Northwest.

Cost per square foot typically includes all construction costs: foundation (10%), framing (18%), roofing (8%), electrical (8%), plumbing (10%), HVAC (8%), interior finishes (25%), and exterior finishes (13%). It does NOT include land purchase, site work, permits, landscaping, driveway, utility connections, or furnishing. These additional items can add 20–40% on top of the base construction cost.