Home - Garden
How Much Does It Cost To Build
A House
From Scratch?
By ABBY HAAS
Total Costs
While the total costs of building your own home can range from $80,000 to $1,000,000, the average cost to build a home in the U.S. is about $289,874. However, as with any project, the price can vary depending on your location, the type of home you want to build, and the various factors needed for each home.
Plot Of Land
Depending on where you decide to build your house, the cost of land can range from $3,000 to over $150,000. Finished land will be more expensive than unfinished land as it already has water lines, sewers, and electricity, and if you need to empty the land, it can be up to $2,000 per acre if it’s heavily forested.
Permits & Regulations
It’s important to follow the regulations set by your new home’s area and to obtain the correct building permits for things like the basement, electrical, HVA, and plumbing. Each permit has an associated cost, with electrical and plumbing being anywhere from $10 to $500 and basement permits costing up to $2,000.
Labor Costs
Even if you are planning to build the house yourself, you will still need a contractor who oversees the overall construction. They will charge 10 to 20% of the construction cost and hire specialized subcontractors, which will be an additional cost.
Foundation
Foundation is the first step of building your house, and, depending on the type you want, it can have a hefty price tag. The most popular foundations are concrete slab foundations that can cost between $5,200 to $13,000, and basement foundations that range from $30,000 to $70,000.