When building a new home using traditional methods, you first need to pay a surveyor to set the property lines, test for things like moisture and gas leaks and study the topography. He or she will also determine things like the slope of your backyard and where to place footings so they don’t sink more than six inches below the property line. Finally, your builder may have to persuade local zoning officials that your home offers adequate setbacks from the street and surrounding homes. This conversation alone can take several weeks.
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The cost involved in building a house in 1990
Year | Average Cost of a House | Cost per Square Foot to Build |
|---|---|---|
1970 | $37,500 | $35.00 per square foot |
1980 | $59,900 | $28.31 per square foot |
1985 | $91,200 | $36.31 per square foot |
1996 | $170,500 | $120.00 per square foot |
2023 (Current Average) | $272,000 | $139.00 per square foot |
Average Cost Per Square Foot To Build A House
Builders in some markets charge more per square foot than others do. For example, builders in Colorado charge an average of $165 per square foot while those in New York charge just $98 per square foot. The following table shows how much it costs to build a house in various parts of the country:
State Average Cost Per Square Foot
Colorado $165
Connecticut $172
Florida $140
Georgia $146
Hawaii $159
Illinois $145
Maryland $196
The cost of building a house depends on the size and location of the property. The cost also varies depending on whether you are building a house from scratch or enlarging an existing one.
The initial costs of construction include land purchase and development charges, site preparation, excavation, foundation and framing.
Building materials have a significant impact on the overall cost of construction. Homeowners can reduce costs by purchasing less expensive materials such as wood instead of steel and concrete.
Other factors that affect the cost of building include:
Size of the home: The larger the home, the higher its price tag will be.
Number of bedrooms: More bedrooms mean more expenses during construction because they require more space and other amenities within the home such as bathrooms, closets and storage areas.