The cost of building a home in Georgia is about $137 per square foot, making the average cost to build a 2,000-square-foot home about $273,860. Construction time for a house in this region is usually 9 to 12 months. This duration can be affected by various factors, including the complexity of the project, weather conditions, availability of materials and labor, and the overall efficiency of the construction process.
Key Takeaways
- Expect to pay an average cost of $137 per square foot to build a single family house in Georgia in 2024.
- Most homes fall in the range of $100 to $150 per square foot. High end custom homes often exceed $200 per square foot.
- Budget about 50% of costs for materials, 10-20% for labor, and the rest for permits, design fees, financing, and contractor overhead.
- House size is the biggest cost factor; larger homes cost more to build.
- Prioritize necessities over luxury finishes to save money.
Average Cost Per Square Foot to Build in Georgia
The average cost per square foot to build a house in Georgia is approximately $137. This means a 2,000 square foot home will cost around $273,860 to build on average in Georgia. For a larger home, such as one measuring 3,000 square feet, the construction cost would be about $410,790. This figure is a general estimate and can vary based on several factors, including the specific location within the state, the type of materials used, the complexity of the house design, and the current market conditions for labour and materials.Â
Here is a table showing the average cost per square foot to build homes of different sizes in Georgia:
| Home Size | Total Cost Range |
| 500 sq. ft. | $65,000 – $75,000 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $130,000 – $150,000 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $200,000 – $240,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $265,000 – $300,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $340,000 – $375,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $408,000 – $450,000 |
| 3,500 sq. ft. | $476,000 – $525,000 |
| 4,000 sq. ft. | $544,000 – $600,000 |
| 4,500 sq. ft. | $612,000 – $675,000 |
| 5,000 sq. ft. | $680,000 – $750,000 |
Also Read: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Florida
Average Price to Build a House in Georgia by Number of Bedrooms
Here’s a summary of the average prices to build a house in Georgia by the number of bedrooms:
1-Bedroom House
- Modular: $80,000 – $210,000
- Stick-Built: $120,000 – $375,000
2-Bedroom House
- Modular: $100,000 – $280,000
- Stick-Built: $150,000 – $500,000
3-Bedroom House
- Modular: $200,000 – $378,000
- Stick-Built: $300,000 – $675,000
4-Bedroom House
- Modular: $250,000 – $560,000
- Stick-Built: $375,000 – $1,000,000
These costs vary based on the construction method (modular vs. stick-built) and the size and style of the house.
Also Read: How Much does it Cost for a Home Inspection
Georgia Home Construction Cost
Now that we’ve covered the major factors, let’s take a detailed look at the typical costs associated with building a new 2,000 square foot house in Georgia:
Hard Costs
- Material Cost: Approximately 50% of the overall construction price, averaging around $50 per square foot.
- Flooring: $1 – $15 per sq. ft.
- Drywall: $10 – $25 per sheet.
- Siding: $2 – $28 per sq. ft.
- Lumber: $25,000 – $65,000.
- Contractor(s) Charges: 10% – 20% of the total construction value.
- Hourly rates for various professionals like electricians, plumbers, etc., vary.
- Electrical Costs: $7,500 – $12,500.
- Roof Installation Costs: $2,900 – $33,300, depending on the material and size.
- Plumbing Costs: Around $12,000.
- HVAC Installation Costs: $1,500 – $12,500.
Soft Costs
- Land Costs: Average $33,000 per acre.
- Land Purchase Cost: Average price per acre in Georgia is around $30,000.
- Preparation Cost: $1,500 – $3,000.
- Georgia 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.
Total Cost: Approximately $273,000
As you can see, the bulk of expenditures goes to the core structural elements like the foundation, framing, roofing, and mechanical systems. Finishes like cabinets, countertops, and flooring also represent a noticeable share. This breakdown should help you budget for a new home build in Georgia.
Also Read: Where is the Most Expensive Places to Live in the US
Average Costs for Other Common Additions
Beyond the core house structure, additional upgrades and enhancements impact the budget:
- Deck construction: $25 per square foot
- Patio installation: $7 – $15 per square foot
- Garage addition: $35 per square foot
- Outdoor kitchen: $4,000 – $20,000
- Pool installation: $30,000 – $60,000
- Home theater: $5,000 – $30,000
- Guest house: $100 – $200 per square foot
Key Factors That Determine Building Costs in Georgia
Several important considerations impact the overall expense of constructing a new home in Georgia:
Size of the House
The size of the home in square footage is the biggest driver of total costs. Larger homes require more materials, labor, site work, and finishing details. As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay $100 – $150 per square foot for basic construction of a single family home in Georgia. High end luxury homes exceed $200 per square foot.
Quality of Materials
Opting for higher end finishes like granite countertops, hardwood floors, and top-of-the-line appliances can significantly increase costs. Budget materials keep prices lower. The quality of materials accounts for about 50% of total building expenses.
Labor Costs
Skilled construction labor dictates 10-20% of the home’s value. Competitive bids from licensed, professional home builders will influence pricing. Simple design plans also help reduce labor hours and cost.
Property Location
Construction expenses can fluctuate based on the home’s location in Georgia. Building in a remote rural area generally proves more affordable than a development in a metro suburb. Land costs also vary: you may pay $20,000 for a lot in a rural county or over $100,000 in a high demand area like Atlanta.
Customizations and Add-Ons
Adding extras like a pool, home theatre, or guest house adds significant cost. Sticking to the essentials keeps the price lower. Many customizations add more than their initial price tag; for example, a pool may require extra land grading, utilities, and maintenance expenses.
Garage Size
Most new Georgia homes include an attached garage, but the number of bays impacts the budget. A 2-car garage adds less than a spacious 3- or 4-car garage.
Permits, Warranties, Financing
Don’t overlook “soft costs” like permits, insurance, warranties, and financing fees. These add an extra 5-10% onto the total.
Factors That Increase Building Costs
Certain features and amenities can drive Georgia home construction costs higher:
- Custom or luxury home design
- Larger home size (3,000+ square feet)
- High end finishes like quartz counters, premium flooring
- Green building materials and sustainability features
- Smart home technology, security, and AV systems
- Additional garages or outbuildings
- Swimming pools, outdoor kitchens
- Irregular topography requiring extra grading
A good rule of thumb is to add 10-25% to the base price for any luxuries or special features.
Factors That Decrease Building Costs
You may be able to reduce costs with:
- Smaller home size under 2,000 square feet
- Flexible floorplan without many corners or angles
- Choosing affordable finishes like laminate counters
- Energy efficient building envelope
- Minimal landscaping
- Owning your own lot to avoid land purchase costs
- Acting as your own general contractor if experienced
Carefully review plans and material selections with your builder to find potential savings.
Financing Options for Building a House in Georgia
You don’t necessarily need to pay 100% of your new home’s construction costs upfront. Various financing options exist to fund a house build, including:
Construction Loans
Also called builder loans, construction loans cover building costs as they are incurred over the home construction timeline. The two main types are:
- Construction-to-Permanent Loan: Single closing loan that converts to a traditional mortgage once building completes.
- Construction-Only Loan: Short term financing during the build phase which must be paid off as soon as the home is finished.
Typical terms are 6-12 months at variable interest rates. The builder submits payment draws as progress milestones are met.
Personal Loans
Banks and online lenders offer personal installment loans that can be used for home construction. These unsecured loans typically range from $1,000 – $100,000 with 1 – 7 year repayment terms. Useful for financing smaller home projects.
Home Equity Loans
Existing homeowners can tap into their home’s equity via home equity loans or lines of credit. These can provide lump sums at fixed or variable rates to be repaid over 5-30 years. Best for those with considerable equity built up.
Owner-Builder Construction
If you have the skills, acting as your own GC cuts costs significantly. Paying subcontractors directly avoids paying a general contractor’s overhead and profit markup.
The Bottom Line
Building a house in Georgia costs around $136.93 per square foot on average, but can range from $100 to over $150 per square foot depending on the size, location, design and finishes. For a 2,000 square foot home, expect to spend around $273,860. Reduce costs by simplifying the design, shopping around for the best pricing, and using budget materials. With proper planning and savvy budgeting, you can make your dream home a reality.
FAQs
The average cost is between $100-$150 per square foot. So a 2,000 sq ft home would be $265,000 – $300,000. High end finishes cost more.
Land prices range vastly based on location from $10,000 an acre in rural areas to over $200,000 per acre in cities like Atlanta. Plan at least $30,000 minimum.
The number of bedrooms/bathrooms, materials used, additional features like a garage, and geographic region most affect Georgia custom build cost. Hiring a general contractor vs being an owner-builder also increases expense.
Yes, an owner-builder can save 20-30% in Georgia since you aren’t paying a general contracting fee. But you take on more personal legal risk and scheduling challenges.
Around 6-12 months on average depending on home size, weather delays, supply availability and contractor workload for both production & custom home builds.
Expect permitting costs of $1,000-$5,000. Also budget $5,000+ for site preparation work like clearing land, erosion controls, and utility connections.
Foundation costs typically range from $15-$25 per square foot in Georgia. A 2,000 sq ft home would need $30,000-$50,000 for the foundation slab, materials and labor.
Drywall installation alone runs $2-$3 per square foot for materials and labor. For a 2,000 sq ft house with hang, tape, mud and texture, budget $4,000-$6,000.
In that budget range you can build a nice quality 1,500 – 2,200 square foot home with 3-4 bedrooms in most of Georgia with mid-tier finishes.
