What is The Most Expensive Part of Building a New House (2024)

March 9, 2023
What is The Most Expensive Part of Building a New House (1)

Building a home is expensive and there are many factors to consider when trying to build a home within your means.

The Foundation

Building a foundation is often among the most costly items on this list. Home foundations are built underground and support the structure’s weight. A strong foundation must:

  • Assist in support of the above structure
  • Ensure that groundwater is kept out
  • Provide a barrier against water and soil vapor

Larger homes require a more expensive foundation. Even choosing the right foundation, the climate you choose to build in, or deciding if you want a basem*nt are all details that affect the overall price.

Other Major Expenses

The Lot

A large portion of the cost of your home will be directed towards the land on which it will be built. Land costs include more than simply the cost of the land, such as surveying, inspection, and possible plumbing and electrical hook-ups. While you can save money by choosing lots in less desirable areas, adding roads and driveways can add costs. There are also lots that are in more appealing areas but are less expensive, but they are more likely to cost you when it comes time to lay the foundation. The process of choosing a lot requires a delicate balance, so it’s wise to seek professional guidance.

The Framing

A home’s framing is its skeleton. Because so much material and skilled labor is required, this is an incredibly expensive part of building a home. While framing may not be as expensive as the foundation or lot, it is typically more costly than other items.

Plumbing & HVAC

Major systems, such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical, are another component that can be the most expensive when building a home. It depends on the type of systems you choose and the features you deem are necessary. While you can’t do much about the cost of your electrical system, you can reduce the cost of your plumbing and HVAC systems. An effective building design can reduce plumbing redundancy. Additionally, you can choose the material for your home’s piping. There are also lower-cost HVAC systems that can be used to cool and heat your home.

Windows & Doors

Your choice of windows and doors can impact the cost of your home, depending on the quality and style. Choosing low-quality windows and doors may result in higher heating and cooling costs, as with other items on this list. In the summer, poorly glazed windows can let in heat. If you have poor quality doors, you may lose conditioned air during the summer and let cold in during the winter. No matter what type of entry door you have, bad sealing puts pressure on your heating and cooling system. Efficiency is the most important factor when it comes to your doors.

Interior & Exterior Finishes

The great thing about interior finishes is that you can choose what matters to you most and you have total control over your choices. Spending less on other items can compensate for an expensive and unique kitchen countertop if it’s essential to you. A skilled home designer can help you achieve the perfect balance between budget and aesthetics.

As for the exterior of your house, it may also become costly depending on your decisions. In comparison with other major elements of your home, exterior stone, siding, or other finishes may not be that expensive. On the other hand, there are many ways to increase the cost of the exterior. You may find yourself spending more of your home’s exterior budget on these major items:

  • Decks or patios
  • Pools
  • Decks
  • Porches
  • Gardens

It is possible to reduce costs in a number of ways. By focusing on only the features that matter most to you, you are able to achieve the best results. In the end, that is one of the biggest advantages of constructing a custom home.

Your Custom Home Builder in Oregon

With the help of New Era Homes, we can help achieve your desired home. From start to finish, we have you covered. Read our uncommon standards to find out what premium features all of our homes include and how you can get the most from your home building investment.

What is The Most Expensive Part of Building a New House (2024)

FAQs

What is The Most Expensive Part of Building a New House? ›

The Foundation

What is the biggest expense in building a house? ›

Labor. Labor is one of the most important costs involved in home construction — and also one of the most difficult to measure. The final price tag will vary significantly based on each new home's plans and the amount of work involved.

What is the most expensive part of a home addition? ›

Home addition costs by room type
Room typeAverage cost
Primary bedroom (includes bathroom)$40,000-$150,000
Bedroom$8,600-$21,600
Bathroom$6,200-$15,500
Kitchen$5,000-$125,000
2 more rows
May 3, 2024

What makes building a house more expensive? ›

Key Takeaways. Building a house adds costs for land purchase, the permitting process, and multiple inspections. The farther your plan strays from a standard model, the more costly it will be. Buildable lots in urban areas can be prohibitively expensive.

What is the most expensive material to build a house out of? ›

Cement is a popular construction material because it is the most important ingredient of concrete. Cement is mixed with water and other aggregates to form a paste that dries to form concrete. Cement is one of the most expensive construction materials.

Where is the most expensive place to build a house? ›

San Francisco Named the Most Expensive City
  • Osaka.
  • New York City.
  • Geneva.
  • Zurich.
  • Hong Kong.
  • Boston.
  • Los Angeles.
  • London.
Nov 10, 2022

Which building cost the most? ›

The most expensive building on the planet is the Great Mosque of Mecca, also known as Masjid al-Haram. Its construction began in the 7th century AD and has undergone numerous extensions over the centuries.

Which part of a building is most expensive? ›

A home's framing is its skeleton. Because so much material and skilled labor is required, this is an incredibly expensive part of building a home. While framing may not be as expensive as the foundation or lot, it is typically more costly than other items.

What is the most expensive part of building a building? ›

Foundation – The Bedrock of Construction

When discussing the most expensive part of building a house, it all begins with the foundation. The foundation acts as the bedrock on which the entire structure rests. Depending on the type of foundation chosen, costs can escalate significantly.

What is the cheapest foundation for an addition? ›

Pole Footings.

When the addition is above grade—either because your first floor is high above the ground or because you're building a second floor addition with, say, a screened porch below it—the lowest cost option is to forgo a foundation or slab and use pole footings instead.

Is it more expensive to build up or out on a house? ›

In general, building up tends to be less costly than building out. When you factor in things like digging and pouring a new foundation, building out typically carries a higher price tag (though this isn't always true, and certainly depends on the size of the room and its purpose).

What are the most expensive rooms to build in a house? ›

When looking to remodel specific rooms in a house, it can be helpful to educate oneself on just how expensive certain room remodels can be. The most expensive rooms to remodel in a home are the kitchen, bathroom, and basem*nt or other such entertainment spaces.

Does it make more sense to buy or build a house? ›

In a seller's market, it's reasonable to consider building your own house rather than fighting it out for an existing home. That said, if time is a factor, you may be better off buying an existing house. Another major factor to consider is the cost of building a house versus buying a house.

What is the most expensive foundation for a house? ›

Basem*nt. A basem*nt is the most complex and the most expensive type of foundation. In order to create a basem*nt, around 12 feet of earth is excavated, the hole is sealed, and then concrete footings and walls are poured. Basem*nts can be entirely or partially below ground.

What is the most expensive household expense? ›

Whether you own your own home or pay rent, the cost of housing is likely your biggest monthly expense. In addition to a mortgage or rent payment, costs may include insurance, maintenance and property taxes. Property taxes are generally part of a mortgage payment—so you likely won't need to add them to your budget.

Is $100,000 enough to build a house? ›

The good news for anyone looking to build a house for $100K or less is that there a plethora of designs to choose from. The type of small home combined with cost-cutting preparations make this a viable option.

What is the largest expense in a typical household budget? ›

Average household expenses in the U.S.

The largest expense for most Americans is housing. At $1,050 per month, the cost of having a roof over our heads accounts for 21% of a household's monthly budget. Percentage of income is based on after-tax income.

How much house can I build for 250k? ›

Home Size and Plumbing

To keep the cost at or under $250,000, you're looking at about 2,000 square feet. For the installation of pipelines around your new house, you can expect to pay $12,000 or more.

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