Estimating cost to build a house

Calculating total cost to build a house in 2020

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Purchasing landArea and lot size impact the cost of a land to build a new house tremendously. Even in the same city land has different value. In certain neighborhoods 35’ x 125’ lot can be purchased for less than $5,000 while in the other part of a city same size lot can be sold for over $250,000. Waterfront or amazing nature view will raise the value of property as well.

Plan, design, permitsSimple drawings for building one story 3 bedroom 2 bathrooms 1,900 ft2house can be purchased online for $700 - $900. Autocad version with option to modify design normally starts from $2,200 - $2,800. Architect might charge $95 - $130 per hour to design custom home. Total fee for ready to obtain permits technical drawings of a future 3,100 ft2 5 bedroom 3 bathroom house exclusively prepared according to homeowner’s preferences will cost $8,000 - $9,500 or even more.

Land excavationExcavating land on hills or rocky terrain is quite expensive site preparation. Depending on type of excavator, one hour of operating machinery cost $120 - $250 including operator salary and cost of fuel. Typically a contractor will charge $1,500 - $2,000 for digging tranches using backhoe loader for drainage system and foundation while building 1,700 ft2 two story house on flat surface.

FoundationContractor estimate the cost based on foundation type and amount of concrete necessary to pour. One cubic yard of concrete cost approximately $70 - $80. Adding labor expenses and cost of additional materials including reinforcement bars and anchor bolts total cost of 20’ x 45’ basement with 8’ thick walls will be close to $12,000 - $16,000.

FramingHouse design and size will affect the cost of framing at a first place. Labor expenses normally range from $5 to $8 per square foot. In total wood framing for 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom 2,200 ft2 house with simple gable roof cost approximately $19,000 - $23,000 including labor and materials.

RoofCost of roofing materials vary greatly. Total expenses for installation of 45 squares asphalt shingles on medium pitched roof will range from $8,000 - $10,000 including roofer fees and cost of materials. Wood shakes normally 30% – 50% more expensive. Gross expenditures to install 35 square of synthetic slate cost $35,000 - $41,000. Prices for concrete roof tiles start from $1,400 per square.

Doors & WindowsOne 36” x 80” steel front door, one 72” x 80” sliding patio door and 12 different dimensions vinyl windows for standard 1,750 bungalow cost about $3,700 or $4,300 with installation. Custom ordered mahogany doors and aluminum clad wood windows have significantly higher price and total cost of exterior doors and windows for a 2,600 ft2 new construction home can easily exceed $9,000.

Finishing home exteriorPutting 150’ x 10” vinyl panels as an exterior finishing material is the most affordable solution. Fiber cement siding cost $2.5 - $4.5 per square foot or expect to pay $4,200 - $7,100 for 1,600 ft2 two story house including labor and materials. Finishing exterior with stone or building brick house will result in significant cost increase. Masonry work with all materials can be estimated between $45,000 and $65,000 for constructing contemporary 2,600 ft2 two story house.

Other exterior workInstallation of gutters, downspouts as well as building additional structures such as porches or decks will lead to construction costs increase. Basic 6’ x 8’ pressure treated pine porch with simple stairs will cost $3,000 - $3,500 on the lowest end. Welding steel railing or covering porch with stylish roof might double the cost.

Rough-in plumbingOn average, a licensed plumber will charge $21,000 – $28,000 to complete plumbing work in 2,600 ft2 house with 2 ½ bathrooms. Quote includes cost of PVC drain pipes, copper water pipes, all necessary additional supplies and labor expenses. Plumber will install bathtub(s), toilets, water heater and connect dishwasher and fridge to water supply lines.

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Rough-in electricalCost of electrical work including all materials for rough-in and electrician fee to wire 1,950 ft2 house, install 150 Amp – 200 Amp load center, all light fixtures and connect appliances vary from $17,000 to $22,000. Take into account that all fixtures should be purchased separately.

HVACHeating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a new two story 2,100 ft2 house cost $9,500 - $12,000 including 3-Ton 13 SEEP energy-efficient AC unit, 80,000 BTU gas furnace, ducks, vents, additional supplies and labor. With increasing heating/cooling space the cost will raise as well.

InsulationCost to insulate exterior walls and ceiling of two story 2,100 square feet house with R-30 fiberglass insulation range from $1,200 to $1,500. Blow-in cellulose normally more expensive. Sprayed foam insulation cost about 5 – 6 times more compare to regular fiberglass in rolls.

DrywallAccounting $8.50 – $10.00 price per 48 in x 96 in x 5/8 per gypsum board and $7 - $8 per one bag of joint compound gross expenses to install, tape, sand and prime interior walls and ceiling of 2,800 two story house will be estimated between $11,300 and $13,600.

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FlooringThere are different types of flooring materials can be used while building a new home. Laminate flooring among cheapest options. Solid or engineered hardwood runs from about $9 to $16 installed depending of wood species, type of finish and installation method. Natural stone tile can easily cost $16 - $20 per square foot for labor and materials.

Finish carpentryInstallation of 11 prehung door, 4 bifolds, finishing windows, trim work, kitchen cabinets and wood vanities installation in 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms house cost $5,500 - $6,900 for labor. All woodworking expenses with materials and semicustom kitchen cabinets might go up to $17,000 - $18,000 if no customization involved.

Tile workContractor might charge anywhere between $3,400 and $5,000 to install 650 ft2 porcelain tile in two bathrooms and hallway. Creating certain tile design on walls and floor will easily double the price.

PaintingQuotes for painting simple 1,900 ft2 new construction houses can be as low as $8,500 including cost of water based paint and painter fees to complete the project. High quality complex work always estimated at higher rates.

Appliances and fixturesDecent quality refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave oven, washer and dryer can be purchased for $7,200 - $9,000. Light fixtures as well as faucets, garbage disposal, bathtub, mirrors and toilet will add another $5,000 - $8,000 to the total home building expenses.

CustomizationCustom work and expensive materials will impact the cost to build a house greatly. For example, type of kitchens cabinets and countertop will define how cheap or how expensive kitchen will be. Difference in cost between stock cabinets with prefabricate laminate counter and custom made cabinets in combination with stylish concrete countertop might exceed 1,000%. Same rule applies to bathrooms or any other room around the house. Cheapest bathtub cost slightly over $200 while prices for walk-in whirlpool tubs start from $3,600.

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Average costs to build new house

There is no averages can be define because all depend on difficulty of work and types of materials used. On the lowest end two story three bedroom, two bathroom 1,900 ft² house can be build for approximately $210,000 or $110 per square foot. Same dimensions custom designed home with complex arches, tray ceilings, fireplaces plus premium quality materials and fixtures can easily cost over $600,000 to build not counting additional investments in the purchasing land.

Additional considerations

Building a new house is a complex step-by-step process and there are hundreds other extra expenses you should always count on from installation of door locks to post construction cleaning and landscaping. Building a new house by self normally cheaper compare to hiring a general contractor or builder, but before thinking about savings always evaluate your ability to manage the construction project successfully.

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