goodcalcs
Property & Home Costs · United States

Construction Cost Calculator

Updated on 7 Nov 2026 · Checked by Aotob

Building 1,800 sq ft at a mid-range finish would cost about $480,180.

That’s $267 per sq ft, including a 10% contingency.

In square feet

A typical mid-range rate per sq ft; use a local quote if you have one

Finish

Sales tax or VAT if your quote is before tax; 0 if it includes it

Land, site work, utility connections

Estimated build cost

$480,180

Per sq ft$267
Building work$369,000
Architect, engineer, permits$44,280
Contingency$36,900

Build costs vary a lot by region and design: get a quantity surveyor or several builders to price your plans. Add the land, site work and connections in the last box.

Show the working

1,800 sq ft × 205 × 1 = 369,000
+ fees 44,280 + contingency 36,900 + tax 0 + 30,000 = 480,180

What people ask next

Basic, mid-range and high-end

FinishPer sq ftTotal
Basic192345,126
Mid-range267480,180
High-end417750,288

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to build a house?

In the US most new homes cost about $150 to $300 a square foot to build, before land. In the UK self-builds are often £2,000 to £3,000 a square metre, and in Australia A$2,000 to A$4,000.

What fees are on top?

Architect and engineer fees of 8% to 15%, permits and inspections, surveys, and utility connections, which can be tens of thousands on a rural plot.

How do I pay for a build?

A construction or self-build mortgage releases money in stages as the build progresses.

Updated 7 Nov 2026Source: Typical rates, checked November 2026; replace them with your quotesChecked by AotobAn estimate from typical rates; your quotes will differ.Report an issue