The cost of building a house differs from state to state, and from the type of foundation, exterior and interior finishing of the home. The overall costs also depend on the size and extent of construction being undertaken.Many people think it is cheaper to build than buy. This, however, is rarely the case. Building a home requires a lot more down payment in cash money because building materials are costly and there can be unexpected expenses.
How much would it cost to build a 800 sq ft house, how long does it take to build a 800 sq ft house, how much would it cost to build a 900 square foot house? This is one of the most common questions asked by people who are getting prepared to build their dream homes. The following are some interesting statistics about a standard sized new home, preferred color schemes, and the average time taken for a home build:
đź“Ź How Long It Takes
- From signing a contract to finishing construction, the average U.S. home takes about 207 business days—just under 10 months for a custom home.
- Typical build time tends to be around 7–12 months, depending on permits, weather, materials, and decision speed .
- Reddit builders note the fastest builds—full‑crew, perfect conditions—can happen in 60 days, but even then, pre‑permit work can take 6+ months overall.
🔑 Summary for 800 sq ft: Expect 6 to 10 months from groundbreaking to move‑in if everything goes smoothly.
đź’° How Much It Costs
- National average for new homes: $60–$110/ft²; an 800 ft² home runs $48,000–$88,000 .
- HomeAdvisor reports 2025 average: $60–$110/ft², placing your 800 ft² build in that same $48K–$88K range.
- For higher‑end builds (e.g. concrete shell), costs can rise to $110–$250/ft²—$88K to $200K total.
đź“Ś Typical cost range:
- Budget/basic: around $50/ft² → $40K
- Mid‑range: around $80/ft² → $64K
- High-end/custom: up to $125/ft² → $100K
🧱 Key Cost Factors
- Materials & finishes: ~60% of total cost
- Labor: 30–60% of cost
- Permits & designs: might add a few thousand dollars
- Foundation: $5–$37/ft² – an 800 ft² slab could cost ~$4,000–$30,000
⚙️ Typical Build Schedule
- Pre‑build (permits, site prep): 1–4 months
- Construction: 4–8 months (foundation, framing, finishes)
- Final phase (inspections, punch list): 1–2 months
âś… Quick Estimate Table
| Task Phase | Estimated Time | Cost Range (800 ft²) |
|---|---|---|
| Permits & design | 1–4 months | $3,000–$5,000+ |
| Foundation | 1–2 months | $4,000–$30,000 |
| Build structure | 3–6 months | — |
| Finishes & utilities | 2–4 months | — |
| Total time | 6–10 months | — |
| Building cost | — | $48K–$100K |
đź’ˇ Pro Builder Tips
- Prepare early for permits—they’re often the longest delay.
- Keep decisions (materials, finishes) ready—delays stall crews.
- Choose local quality trades—labor drives price.
- Consider slab foundations for speed/cost efficiency.
A cost estimate for your dream house
To determine the cost of building a home, you need to know how many square feet it will be. The easiest way to do this is to hire an architect or designer to draw up plans of your proposed house and give you a rough estimate. If you already have the blueprint, then you can use the following table to get a rough idea of your costs:
How much would it cost to build a 900 square foot house
| Item | Details |
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Cost of Construction |
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Factors Influencing Costs |
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Construction Timeline |
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Challenges of Building |
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How Much Does It Cost To Build A House?
The average cost of building a house in the United States is $90,000. However, this does not include land or permits. If you already own the land where you want to build your home, then your total cost could be as little as $40,000. In some areas of California and other states with high labor costs, it could be $200,000 or more!
The length of time it takes to build a new home varies greatly depending on what state you live in and whether or not you are doing it yourself or hiring professional builders to do it for you. In general, it takes 3-5 months for contractors to complete their portion of construction after they have obtained all permits needed by local authorities and before they can start building your new home
The cost of building a house depends on a number of factors, including the size, style and location. However, a good rule of thumb is that you can expect to pay between $100 and $300 per square foot. For example, if you want to build a 2,000 square foot home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in a remote location, it will likely cost between $200 and $600 per square foot.
How long does it take to build a house?
It takes approximately 6 months to 1 year to build your house depending on how much work you want done by professionals or contractors. You can build your own home if you have the time and patience for it!
It depends on where you live and the size of the lot.
In a small town in the middle of nowhere, it’s going to be less expensive than in a big city with lots of building codes and regulations.
And if you’re building your own home, it’s going to cost less than if you hire a contractor.
Here’s an example:
If you have a 1/4 acre lot with good access, it will cost about $200 per square foot to build a 900 sq ft house using standard materials (not including land or foundation). This includes all labor costs, materials, permits and inspections.
đź“Ś Bottom Line
Expect around 6 to 10 months and $50,000 to $90,000+ to build an 800 sq ft home, depending on materials, finishes, and your local market.