How much does new home construction cost?
New Home Construction costs $330,000 to $880,000 for a typical project, averaging about $605,000. Installed pricing usually runs $150.00 to $400.00 per square foot, and scope, materials, access and local labor rates explain nearly all of the variation.
National average
$605,000
Typical low
$330,000
Typical high
$880,000
Per square foot
$150 – $400
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Estimated project cost
$409,797 – $561,818
Most homeowners pay around $485,807
Compare quality / material level
Cost by material
Installed pricing per square foot.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Production builder | $171 – $234 |
| Semi-custom | $234 – $308 |
| Custom build | $308 – $399 |
| Luxury custom | $399 – $550 |
New Home Construction cost by project size
Typical installed pricing before local adjustments.
| Project size | Budget | Average | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 square foots | $165,000 | $302,500 | $440,000 |
| 2200 square foots | $330,000 | $605,000 | $880,000 |
| 3300 square foots | $495,000 | $907,500 | $1,320,000 |
| 4400 square foots | $660,000 | $1,210,000 | $1,760,000 |
New Home Construction cost by material or quality level
| Option | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Production builder | $170.50 – $233.75 / square foot | Lowest upfront cost, shortest lifespan |
| Semi-custom | $233.75 – $308.00 / square foot | Best overall value for most homes |
| Custom build | $308.00 – $398.75 / square foot | Longer warranty and better finish |
| Luxury custom | $398.75 – $550.00 / square foot | Top-tier materials and custom detailing |
Where the money goes
A typical project budget, broken down by line item.
- Labor0.45% · $2,723
- Materials0.38% · $2,299
- Permits & inspections0.05% · $303
- Overhead & profit0.12% · $726
Cost by region
Labor markets move the number more than any other single factor.
Northeast
$379,500 – $1,012,000
+15% vs. national average
West
$389,400 – $1,038,400
+18% vs. national average
Midwest
$316,800 – $844,800
-4% vs. national average
South
$310,200 – $827,200
-6% vs. national average
Common add-ons
Line items that show up on most quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Lot preparation and utilities
Septic or well
Landscaping and driveway
Design and engineering
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Hire a pro
$330,000 – $880,000
Do it yourself
$148,500 – $484,000
DIY saves labor but not materials, permits or rework. Only take it on if the job does not require a licensed trade or inspection.
Ways to save
Practical levers that lower the bill without cutting quality.
- Lock material allowances in writing to prevent change-order creep.
- Build a simple rectangular footprint — complex rooflines add 10–20%.
- Collect three written bids on an identical scope — spreads of 20–40% are normal.
- Book in the off-season and stay flexible on the start date to save 5–15%.
- Bundle nearby work into one mobilization so you only pay setup and travel once.
- Ask what the contractor would change to cut 10% without hurting durability.
Questions to ask your contractor
- 01Are you licensed and insured in my city, and can I see the certificate?
- 02Is this a fixed-price bid or an estimate that can change?
- 03What exactly is excluded from the quote?
- 04Who pulls the permit and who schedules inspections?
- 05What is the written workmanship warranty and how long does it last?
- 06What is the payment schedule, and how much is due up front?
- 07How long will the work take, and what could delay it?
Frequently asked questions
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Get free quotes from certified prosNew Home Construction cost by city
Local labor rates, permits and climate change the number. Pick your city for prices near you.
New Home Construction cost in Los Angeles, CA
$409,200 – $1,091,200
New Home Construction cost in San Diego, CA
$389,400 – $1,038,400
New Home Construction cost in San Jose, CA
$455,400 – $1,214,400
New Home Construction cost in San Francisco, CA
$478,500 – $1,276,000
New Home Construction cost in Oakland, CA
$435,600 – $1,161,600
New Home Construction cost in Sacramento, CA
$356,400 – $950,400
New Home Construction cost in Fresno, CA
$323,400 – $862,400
New Home Construction cost in Long Beach, CA
$402,600 – $1,073,600
New Home Construction cost in Anaheim, CA
$396,000 – $1,056,000
New Home Construction cost in Santa Ana, CA
$392,700 – $1,047,200
New Home Construction cost in Irvine, CA
$415,800 – $1,108,800
New Home Construction cost in Riverside, CA
$349,800 – $932,800
New Home Construction cost in San Bernardino, CA
$339,900 – $906,400
New Home Construction cost in Bakersfield, CA
$320,100 – $853,600
New Home Construction cost in Stockton, CA
$336,600 – $897,600
New Home Construction cost in Modesto, CA
$330,000 – $880,000
New Home Construction cost in Chula Vista, CA
$379,500 – $1,012,000
New Home Construction cost in Fremont, CA
$445,500 – $1,188,000
New Home Construction cost in Pasadena, CA
$422,400 – $1,126,400
New Home Construction cost in Glendale, CA
$412,500 – $1,100,000
New Home Construction cost in Santa Clarita, CA
$382,800 – $1,020,800
New Home Construction cost in Torrance, CA
$405,900 – $1,082,400
New Home Construction cost in Oxnard, CA
$376,200 – $1,003,200
New Home Construction cost in San Mateo, CA
$462,000 – $1,232,000