Building a home involves a lot of work and planning. TheNAHBhas broken down the most expensive components of a home to give you a better idea of where your money is actually going.
Keep reading to see the national average cost of different finishes, components and fixtures when building a home, according to the NAHB report.
Quick note:Some fees listed below may be imposed on property developers instead of homeowners. Always consult your home builder for a clear understanding of which costs and fees you will be responsible for when building your home.
1. Site work.
In total, the national total average cost of site work is$29,193.Site work includes all of the tasks required to get your land ready to build on. For example, building permit fees are required before breaking ground — these average $8,292.
Other potential fees include:
- Impact fee(imposed on property developers): $5,208
- Water and sewer inspection fees:$5,800
- Architecture and engineering costs: $4,724
2. Excavation and foundation.
Excavating dirt, building a foundation, pouring concrete and putting up retaining walls give your home a solid base. Together with backfilling and other fees, these total$43,086, on average, in the U.S. This cost makes up 11% of the average home building costs.
3. House framing.
The national average total framing costs comes out to$80,280. Building your home's structural interior includes the following fees:
- $60,831 for framing
- $11,479 for trusses
- $5,383 for sheathing
- $1,168 for metal and steel reinforcements
- $1,419 for other expenses
4. Exterior finishes.
Exterior finishes cost a national average of $46,108and break down like this:
- $19,746 in exterior wall finishes
- $11,496 in roofing
- $13,158 on windows and doors
- $1,709 in other miscellaneous expenses
5. Plumbing (except fixtures).
Plumbing is a major expense in home building, with a national average cost of$22,706.That doesn't include fixtures, either.
Costs may go up if you choose more expensive materials. As an example,copper piping is generally more expensivethan chlorinated polyvinyl chloride piping (CPVC).
6. Electrical.
Electrical systems are slightly more expensive at$23,892,on average, in the U.S. This figure also doesn't include fixtures.
Of course, the cost will vary depending on whether or not you want a lot of outlets, phone jacks and switches.
7. HVAC.
On average, an HVAC system costs$21,845when building a home. You have a lot of options to consider when choosing appliances for heating and cooling. For example, you'll need to decide between ductless vs. ducted, smart thermostats vs. standard thermostats or even forced air vs. boiler heat.
8. Insulation and drywall.
Insulation helps you maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. It helps keep heat in during the winter and hot air out during the summer. The national average cost of insulation in a new home construction is$6,530.
Drywall gives you a blank canvas for painting or decorating, and costs an average of$13,184.
9. Interior trim, doors and mirrors.
The average cost to include interior trim, doors and mirrors comes out to$12,727.
When it comes to trim, you have many options — pine, hardwood (which istypically the most expensive), medium-density fiberboard and more. Talk to your builder to see your options and the price points.
10. Painting.
After you've put up the walls, doors and trim, you'll likely want to paint them to make your new home welcoming. When building a new home, the average cost of painting its interior is$8,793.
However, if you choose premium paint or unique finishes, this cost might fluctuate. Again, consult your builder to get a better understanding of pricing.
11. Lighting.
Installing lighting costs$4,502for the average home. Lighting improves your home's ambiance and helps you see at night. Work with your builder to decide which type of ceiling lights, accent lights or chandeliers you want to install in your home.
12. Cabinets and countertops.
Cabinets and countertops account for$17,775of the average construction cost. This number varies depending on the material you choose. For example, granite countertops are more expensive than traditional laminate ones.
13. Appliances.
In total, the average cost of appliances is$6,263when building a new home.
Appliances include things like your refrigerator, dishwasher and washer and dryer. These are often installed when the home is built because they're usually put in a space specifically designed for them.
14. Flooring.
Though the average cost of flooring is$13,019in a new home, there are many variables to consider.
Carpet is soft, but it can also be difficult to clean. Real hardwood floors, on the other hand,can be more expensivebut can be easier to wipe up spills. However, you may need to refinish your hardwood floors down the line. You can also choose laminate, vinyl, linoleum, natural stone and more — all of which have different price points as well.
15.Landscaping.
Landscaping can include things like planting grass, establishing a garden or mulching around your house. It's essential to give your home curb appeal.
In total, landscaping costs an average of$9,123, but this can go up or down depending on how many outdoor touches you want and the types of features you choose (trees, lighting, edging, etc.).
16. Fireplace.
Not all homes have fireplaces, so this cost may not apply to you. But if you do want to include a fireplace in your home, note that the average cost is$1,608.
Gas fireplaces are common today, as you can get a fire going with the press of a button. However, traditional wood-burning fireplaces have a charming aesthetic.
17.Plumbing fixtures.
While your contractor installs your flooring, they'll also likely install your plumbing fixtures. Usually, the flooring has to be cut around things like your toilet and bathtub or shower for a seamless look. All these plumbing fixtures cost$5,166for the average home.
18. Decks, patios and porches.
Decks, patios and porches can be a great extension of your home and give you a comfortable outdoor oasis for entertaining or relaxing. These types of structures add an extra$2,178,on average, to the cost of building a home.
19. Driveway.
A driveway gives you a safe place to park your car off the street. A driveway will run around$8,775when constructing a home.
A basic driveway will often cost less than a more sophisticated driveway or one with heating. Adding more features like intricately laid blocks or gates may also increase the cost.
20. Cleaning up.
After all that work, chances are you'll have a lot of debris around. Cleaning fees add up to$2,280on average.
Note:In addition to the fees mentioned above, theNAHB reportalso includes unidentified "other" fees that contribute to the total home construction cost.
