The cost of building a house in Florida is a significant consideration for potential homeowners. On average, it costs $147.50 per square foot to construct a residence in the Sunshine State. For a standard 2000 square foot home, this translates to approximately $295,000, not accounting for additional expenses such as land, permits, and customizations. These costs can vary widely depending on the property type, location, and the level of customization desired. It’s essential for those looking to build in Florida to understand these costs and budget accordingly for their dream home.
Key takeaways
- Average Cost: Building a house in Florida costs an average of $147 per square foot.
- Total Expense: Homeowners can expect to spend around $445,000 in total, including land, permits, and construction.
- Timeframe: The construction process typically takes 9 to 12 months.
- Cost Factors: Costs vary based on property type, square footage, location, and customization.
- Permits: Permit fees depend on home value and construction area, varying across counties.
- Comparison with Buying: It’s usually cheaper and faster to buy an existing home than to build a new one in Florida.
Average cost of building a house in Florida
In Florida, the average cost of building a house is approximately $147.50 per square foot. This means that for an average-sized home, the costs can range significantly based on size, location, and customization. The total cost can vary from $240,000 to $350,000, with an average of $295,000 for standard construction. This does not include additional expenses such as land, permits, and customizations, which can bring the total average cost to around $445,000.
Average cost based on number of bedrooms
| Number of Bedrooms | Average Cost Range to Build a House in Florida |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $90,000 – $200,000 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $110,000 – $270,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $220,000 – $365,000 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $275,000 – $540,000 |
Average cost based on square footage
| Home Size | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| 800 sq. ft. | $117,600 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $147,000 |
| 1,200 sq. ft. | $176,400 |
| 1,400 sq. ft. | $205,800 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $220,000 |
| 1,700 sq. ft. | $249,900 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $294,500 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $367,500 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $441,000 |
| 4,000 sq. ft. | $588,000 |
| 4,500 sq. ft. | $661,500 |
| 5,000 sq. ft. | $735,000 |
Also Read: How Much does it Cost for a Home Inspection
Cost breakdown of building a house in Florida
To give a clearer picture, let’s consider the cost distribution for a 2,500 sq. ft. house in Florida:
Hard costs
- Material Cost: Approximately $147,500, making up about 50% of the overall construction prices.
- Contractor(s) Charges: Generally 10% – 20% of the total construction value.
- Electrical Costs: Ranges between $7,500 – $12,500.
- Roof Installation Costs: Varies from $3,262 – $36,700, depending on the material and size.
- Plumbing Costs: Around $12,000.
- HVAC Installation Costs: Typically $1,500 – $12,500.
Soft costs
- Land Costs: Average price per acre in Florida is around $37,000.
- Florida Home Building Permit Costs: Approximately $5,000.
- Home Interiors: Budget at least $20,000 for a 2,500 sq. ft. home.
- Home Interior Designer Costs: Around $5,400.
Factors that influence the cost of building a house in Florida
Several variables impact the overall expense when constructing a new home in Florida:
- Location – Urban cities like Miami have higher labor and material costs than rural areas and small towns. Beachfront property is very expensive.
- House size – More square footage requires more materials, longer build time, and bigger land parcels, increasing costs.
- Design choices – Lavish floors, tiles, cabinets, smart home tech, and custom features increase budgets. Simple & compact designs are cheaper.
- Energy efficiency – Solar, insulation, HVAC upgrades add expense but deliver utility savings long-term.
- Garage type – Attached garages require more concrete and add significantly to the overall budget.
- Meeting Florida Building Code – Stringent hurricane and flood standards increase material requirements and costs.
- Property type – Multi-family homes cost less per unit to build compared to single-family houses.
- Contractor rates – Paying above-average fees to expedite timelines increases overall spend.
Also Read: Where is the Most Expensive Places to Live in the US
Ways to lower costs when building a home in Florida
For homeowners looking to reduce new construction costs, here are some tips:
- Opt for a simple rectangular footprint without complex rooflines or angles
- Choose a one-story design over multi-level
- Size the home based on needs rather than maxing out the lot
- Select lower-cost siding like vinyl or fiber cement instead of brick or stucco
- Use carpet instead of hardwoods for flooring
- Install shower/tub combos rather than pricier walk-in showers
- Limit custom cabinetry and stick to stock designs
- Choose mid-grade rather than premium countertops and fixtures
- Finish the basement later to save initial costs
- Use energy-efficient windows, insulation, and appliances to reduce utility costs
Prioritizing essential spaces over luxury finishes can help reduce square footage costs significantly.
How long does it take to build a house in Florida?
The typical timeframe to construct a new single-family residence in Florida is 9-12 months. Here are the major phases:
- Planning & Design: 2-3 months
- Permits & Approvals: 2-4 months
- Site Preparation: 1-2 weeks
- Foundation & Framing: 1-2 months
- Roofing, Plumbing, HVAC: 1-2 months
- Interior Finishes: 2-3 months
- Landscaping & Clean Up: 2-4 weeks
The total duration can be shorter or longer depending on factors like permitting, weather delays, home size, and builder availability. Building a custom or luxury home often takes 12-18 months.
Also Read: What is the Cheapest Way to Buy a Foreclosed Home (7 Best Ways)
How to finance building a new house in Florida
Here are some common ways to finance construction of a new home in Florida:
- Construction Loans – Special loans that provide funds in stages and convert to a mortgage after completion. Typically cover 80% of total costs.
- Personal Loans – Unsecured personal loans based on credit score and income. Interest rates are higher.
- Home Equity Loan – Secured debt using existing home equity as collateral if you already own a house.
- Cash Payment – Covering all or a large portion of costs in cash. Requires significant liquidity.
- USDA & VA Loans – Special 100% financing programs for eligible borrowers and veterans.
- Self-Financing – Paying for project in stages as your own cash flow allows. Can increase overall costs and time.
- Private Investors – Seeking funding from investors in exchange for equity stake or interest payments.
Consulting a finance advisor can help identify the optimal financing strategy based on your specific situation and goals.
Building vs buying a house in Florida – which is better?
For most homebuyers in Florida, purchasing an existing property is more practical than building new construction. Reasons why buying a home is often better:
- Faster Move-In: Buying lets you move in as soon as the sale closes, rather than waiting months for construction.
- Predictable Pricing: The asking price is fixed when buying, while building costs can creep up.
- More Selection: The resale market offers abundant choices and immediate availability.
- Established Neighborhood: No waiting for an area to be fully built out when buying.
- Less Hassle: Avoid delays and headaches dealing with permits, inspections, contractors.
However, building a custom home allows you to maximize features, layout, lot, and location. While pricier upfront, new construction may make sense if you plan to stay long-term.
How to Find and Choose Builders and Contractors in Florida
When constructing a new home in Florida, one of the most important decisions is selecting your builder and contractors. Here are some tips:
- Get recommendations from friends, neighbors, realtors, and online reviews. Look for experienced pros with strong reputations.
- Verify licenses and insurance. Make sure all contractors are properly licensed in Florida and carry liability insurance.
- Interview multiple companies and get bids. Compare experience, pricing, and responsiveness.
- Check references and examples of past work. Reach out to former clients to ask about their satisfaction.
- Review the contract carefully. Understand timelines, payment schedules, warranties, and contingency plans.
- Choose a local builder familiar with Florida building codes and inspectors. This can smooth the permitting process.
- Establish open communication. Make sure the builder or contractor is responsive and transparent.
- Taking the time to carefully vet and select your home building team can prevent headaches and ensure a successful construction process.
Conclusion
The typical cost to build a new single-family home in Florida is around $148 per square foot, with total expenses approaching $445,000. Exact pricing depends on location, size, design and property variables. Financing options are available, though building from scratch takes 9-12 months on average. Starting with a budget and realistic timeline can help make home construction in Florida a success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Whether it’s cheaper to build or buy a house in Florida depends on several factors including the current real estate market, location, and personal preferences. On average, building a house in Florida costs about $295,000, potentially rising to $445,000 with land and other expenses.
Yes, you can build your own house in Florida if you have land in your preferred area. However, you need to budget for time, cost, and obtain necessary permits. Permit costs vary based on the home value or construction area and differ across counties.
The most efficient shape for a house is generally a simple square or rectangular footprint. This maximizes usable living space relative to the exterior walls. It’s also the easiest layout for builders to work with. Avoid complex shapes like octagons or overly elongated footprints.
Adding a second floor to a single-story home typically costs $60-$100 per square foot. So a 500 sq ft addition would run about $30,000-$50,000. Staircases also add to the expense.
Yes, you can act as your own general contractor to save costs. However, this requires extensive time and effort to coordinate all trades and handle permitting/inspections yourself. First-time builders should lean on a general contractor.
