Cost to Build a House Calculator
Estimate the cost to build a new house based on square footage, number of stories, quality level, foundation type, and exterior material — construction cost only, excluding land.
Project Details
Total heated/cooled living space across all floors
Estimated Cost
Low
$142,995
Average
$230,932
High
$324,324
Cost Breakdown
Materials
| Item | Qty | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site Preparation & Grading | 2000 sq ft | $4,000 | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| Concrete Slab Foundation | 2000 sq ft | $10,000 | $14,000 | $16,000 |
| Framing (lumber + trusses) | 2000 sq ft | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| Vinyl Siding | 1610 sq ft | $4,830 | $8,050 | $12,880 |
| Roofing (shingles + underlayment) | 2000 sq ft | $10,000 | $16,000 | $24,000 |
| Interior Finishes (drywall, paint, trim, flooring, fixtures) | 2000 sq ft | $40,000 | $70,000 | $100,000 |
| Subtotal | $88,830 | $146,050 | $208,880 |
Labor & Fees
| Item | Qty | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical + Plumbing + HVAC (MEP) | 2000 sq ft | $50,000 | $76,000 | $100,000 |
| Permits, Engineering & Fees | 1 job | $4,165 | $8,882 | $15,444 |
| Subtotal | $54,165 | $84,882 | $115,444 |
Notes
- • Estimate based on 2000 sq ft, 1-story mid quality home with slab foundation and vinyl siding.
- • Prices vary significantly by region, contractor, and market conditions. Use this as a planning estimate and compare at least three written quotes.
- • This estimate covers construction cost only. Land purchase, site clearing, utility hookups, and landscaping are not included.
- • Permits, engineering, and site conditions can significantly change the total cost.
About the Build Cost Calculator
Building a new home is one of the largest investments most people will make. Our calculator estimates construction costs only — excluding land — broken down by major phases: site preparation, foundation, framing, exterior, roofing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, and interior finishes. Adjust the quality level, foundation type, and exterior material to see how each choice affects your bottom line.
How We Calculate Build Cost
We calculate costs for each construction phase using typical ranges per square foot. The stories multiplier adjusts per-sqft costs for shared components (2-story homes save ~10% per sqft by sharing foundation and roof). The quality multiplier scales material and finish costs: budget (0.7x), mid-range (1.0x), high-end (1.4x), or luxury (2.0x). Permits and fees are estimated at 3-5% of the construction subtotal.
Factors That Affect Build Cost
Key factors affecting new construction cost: total square footage, number of stories, quality level of materials and finishes, foundation type (slab is cheapest, basement most expensive), exterior material, local labor rates, soil conditions, permit requirements, and current material prices. Regional differences can swing costs 30-50% — building in a high-cost metro costs significantly more than a rural area.
Planning a larger project? You may also want to estimate costs for home addition cost, foundation repair cost, or soffit & fascia cost.
Sources
- • HomeAdvisor cost guides
- • Fixr.com cost guides
- • contractor survey benchmarks
Costs are based on current industry ranges and vary by location and market conditions.