Cost per sq ft for new home construction (standard / mid-range): $150-$250/sf
Construction Cost Guide
Per-square-foot construction costs and cost breakdown by trade for new builds and renovations.
How Much Does New Construction Cost Per Square Foot in 2026?
New residential construction costs $150–$400+ per square foot in 2026, varying by location, finish level, and home complexity.
- Budget/spec homes: $150–$200/sq ft (builder-grade finishes, simple floor plans)
- Mid-range custom: $200–$300/sq ft (upgraded finishes, moderate complexity)
- High-end custom: $300–$500+/sq ft (premium materials, complex architecture)
- National average (2026): ~$210/sq ft for single-family residential
These are hard costs only. Add 15–25% for soft costs (permits, engineering, architecture, inspections, financing).
Key Takeaways
- Budget homes: $150–$200/sq ft
- Mid-range custom: $200–$300/sq ft
- Add 15–25% for soft costs (permits, design, fees)
Construction Cost Breakdown by Trade
Foundation and framing account for 25–35% of total construction cost, making them the largest single expense categories.
- Site work & foundation: 10–15% of total
- Framing (lumber + labor): 15–20% of total
- Roofing: 5–8%
- Plumbing: 7–10%
- Electrical: 6–9%
- HVAC: 6–9%
- Insulation + drywall: 5–8%
- Finishes (flooring, paint, trim, cabinets): 20–30%
Key Takeaways
- Foundation + framing = 25–35% of total
- Finishes = 20–30% (most variable category)
- MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) = 20–28%
Factors That Increase Construction Costs
Site conditions, design complexity, and material selections are the three biggest cost escalators beyond basic square footage pricing.
- Sloped lots: Add 10–30% for grading, retaining walls, and complex foundations
- Multi-story: 2-story saves 10–15% per sq ft vs. ranch (less roof, less foundation)
- Complex rooflines: Each hip, valley, and dormer adds $2,000–$8,000
- Remote location: Add 5–15% for material delivery and labor travel time
Key Takeaways
- Sloped lots add 10–30% to foundation costs
- 2-story saves 10–15%/sq ft vs. ranch layout
- Each complex roof element adds $2,000–$8,000
How to Use This Calculator
Select your project type
Choose between new home construction, home addition, or commercial build-out. Each type uses different cost-per-square-foot ranges based on industry data.
Choose a quality level
Select economy (builder grade), standard (mid-range), or premium (custom) finishes. Quality level has the largest impact on total cost per square foot.
Enter the square footage
Input the total square footage of your project. For additions, enter only the new area being built. For commercial, enter the build-out footprint.
Review the cost breakdown
See low, mid, and high estimates along with a percentage breakdown for materials, labor, permits, overhead, and contingency.
Construction Cost Formulas
Total Cost = Square Footage × Cost Per SF
Materials = Total Cost × 40-50%
Labor = Total Cost × 30-40%
Permits = Total Cost × 5-8%
Overhead = Total Cost × 5-10%
Contingency = Total Cost × 10-15%Where:
- Square Footage
- = Total area of the construction project in square feet
- Cost Per SF
- = Varies by project type and quality level ($100-$700/sf)
- Contingency
- = Reserve for unexpected costs — 10-15% for new builds, 15-20% for renovations
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a house per square foot?
In 2026, new home construction costs range from $100-$150/sf for economy builds, $150-$250/sf for standard homes, and $250-$500+/sf for premium custom homes. These figures include materials, labor, and builder margin but typically exclude land, site work, and landscaping. Costs vary significantly by region, with urban areas 20-40% higher than rural.
What percentage of construction cost is labor vs materials?
Typical cost breakdown: Materials: 40-50%, Labor: 30-40%, Permits and fees: 5-8%, Overhead and profit: 5-10%, Contingency: 10-15%. Labor-heavy projects like custom work shift toward 40-45% labor. Material-heavy projects like metal buildings shift toward 50-55% materials.
How much does a home addition cost?
Home additions typically cost $150-$600 per square foot depending on scope and quality. A basic room addition runs $150-$300/sf, while additions requiring new plumbing (bathrooms, kitchens) or structural work cost $250-$400/sf. Second-story additions are the most expensive at $300-$600/sf due to structural reinforcement needs.
How much contingency should I budget for construction?
Budget 10-15% contingency for new construction and 15-20% for renovations. Renovation projects have higher contingency because opening walls often reveals hidden issues like water damage, outdated wiring, or structural deficiencies. Contingency protects against change orders, material price increases, and unexpected site conditions.
What factors affect construction cost the most?
The biggest cost drivers are: location (labor rates vary 30-50% by region), quality of finishes (can double the cost), project complexity (custom designs cost more than standard plans), site conditions (slopes, poor soil, limited access), and current material prices (lumber, steel, and concrete fluctuate 10-30% year over year).
What is included in construction cost per square foot?
Cost per square foot typically includes foundation, framing, roofing, exterior finishes, insulation, drywall, interior finishes, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and builder overhead/profit. It usually excludes land purchase, site clearing/grading, landscaping, driveways, permits (sometimes), architectural fees, and furniture or appliances.
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