Building Cost Per Sq Ft Calculator

New home construction costs range from $100-$400+ per square foot depending on quality, location, and materials. The national average is about $150/sq ft. Budget builds run $100-130/sq ft, while luxury homes can exceed $400/sq ft.

Building cost per sq ft typically excludes land purchase, site preparation, permits, architectural fees, landscaping, driveway, and utility connections. These can add 20-40% to the total project cost.

Building up (adding a second story) is generally 10-20% cheaper per square foot than building out, because you avoid foundation and roofing costs for the additional space. However, second-story additions require structural reinforcement of the existing first floor.