How Much Does It Cost to Build a New Home?
What actually drives the number, and why a real estimate beats a range off the internet.
The total cost depends on four things: square footage, design complexity, materials and finishes, and site conditions. Any builder who gives you a firm number before knowing all four is guessing, and you'll find out which direction they guessed later.
The four cost drivers
1. Square footage
The most obvious driver, and the one people over-weight. A larger home costs more in total but often less per square foot, because the expensive rooms don't multiply. See why price per square foot misleads.
2. Design complexity
Rooflines, corners, ceiling changes, window quantity, and structural spans all cost money before a single finish is chosen. A simple rectangle with a straightforward roof is dramatically cheaper to build than the same square footage with five gables.
3. Materials and finishes
This is the widest swing of the four. The same floor plan can vary enormously depending on cabinetry, countertops, flooring, tile, trim, plumbing and lighting. See how allowances work.
4. Site conditions and utilities
Excavation, grading, drainage, driveway length, and whether you're connecting to public sewer and water or installing a well and septic system can move a budget substantially. Two identical homes on two different lots are not the same price.
How we price it
We produce a detailed estimate during the design phase, before construction begins, built from your actual plan and specification rather than a market average. That's the number you make decisions from.
What to add to the build number
- The lot, if you don't already own it
- A 10-15% contingency. See budgeting for unexpected costs
- Soft costs like permits, surveys and loan fees. See soft costs explained
- Items commonly excluded from a build contract. See what's not included
For a number specific to your plan and your lot, talk to our team.