In Idaho, building a new home costs about $157 per square foot on average. So constructing a 2,000 square foot house would run around $314,000. Total expenses range from $300,000 to $500,000 depending on location, property attributes, materials, labor and other variables. Completing construction typically takes 9 to 12 months across the state.
Key Takeaways
- The average cost to build a house in Idaho is $157 per square foot
- Cost per square foot approximately ranges from $120 to $500
- A 2,000 square foot home will cost around $314,000 to build
- Total costs typically range from $300,000 to $500,000
- It takes 9-12 months to complete new home construction in Idaho
- Key factors impacting cost include location, property type, materials, labor, permits, contractor fees, and finishes
The Average Home Building Expenses in Idaho
The average cost to build a house in Idaho is $157.76 per square foot. Constructing a 2,000 square foot home would therefore cost around $315,520. With additional expenses factored in, expect to spend $350,000 to $500,000 in total to build a new house. Costs vary based on location, property type, labour and materials. Home prices in Idaho have increased, with the median sale price up 3.4% year-over-year to $460,500.
Also read: How Much does it Cost to Build a House in Hawaii
Average Cost Based On Square Footage in Idaho
Square Footage | Average Cost Ranges |
---|---|
500 sq ft | $78,500 – $200,000 |
1000 sq ft | $157,000 – $400,000 |
1500 sq ft | $235,500 – $600,000 |
2000 sq ft | $314,000 – $800,000 |
2500 sq ft | $392,500 – $1,000,000 |
3000 sq ft | $471,000 – $1,200,000 |
3500 sq ft | $549,500 – $1,400,000 |
4000 sq ft | $628,000 – $1,600,000 |
4500 sq ft | $706,500 – $1,800,000 |
5000 sq ft | $785,000 – $2,000,000 |
Average Cost to Build a House in Idaho by Cities
City | Average Building Costs per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Moscow | $110 – $140 |
Boise | $165 – $220 |
Meridian | $140 – $200 |
Nampa | $130 – $190 |
Idaho Falls | $111 – $167 |
Twin Falls | $112 – $168 |
Pocatello | $111 – $167 |
House Building Cost Across States in USA
State | Average Amount |
---|---|
Idaho | $315,520 |
Hawaii | $412,840 |
Delaware | $327,060 |
California | $405,440 |
Arkansas | $251,800 |
Arizona | $295,580 |
Alaska | $421,080 |
Alabama | $267,620 |
Illinois | $265,440 |
Utah | $288,560 |
Massachusetts | $350,820 |
Minnesota | $236,980 |
Pennsylvania | $270,000 |
Wisconsin | $424,000 |
Oklahoma | $260,000 |
Washington | $343,100 |
Colorado | $299,300 |
Connecticut | $345,440 |
Florida | $263,640 |
Georgia | $273,860 |
Montana | $298,960 |
New Jersey | $376,900 |
New York | $360,180 |
North Carolina | $301,500 |
North Dakota | $212,500 |
Ohio | $222,480 |
Typical Budget to Build a New Home in Idaho
- Land purchase / closing costs – Budget $50,000 to $100,000+ for a suitable property lot in the desired location. Closing fees are typically 1-2% of purchase price.
- Permits & development fees – Allow ~$5,000 for local jurisdiction building permits, plan check fees, utility hookup charges, municipal site improvements, and more. Can vary based on property specifics.
- Site work & foundation – Around $35,000 for clearing, excavating, trenching, pouring concrete, backfill, grading, and all other lot preparation work.
- Framing materials & labour – Approximately $55,000 to frame the home’s walls, floors, roof structure with lumber packages and skilled carpentry crew.
- Exterior finishes – Budget ~$65,000 for roofing, windows, exterior doors, siding, decks, garage, front porches, and external finish trims.
- Interior build – The most substantial expense at nearly $95,000 for insulation, drywall, paint, cabinets, fixtures, flooring, trim, labour, and completing all living areas.
- HVAC & plumbing – Important mechanical systems, ventilation, appliances and kitchen/bath fixtures will cost ~$22,000+.
- Electrical & low voltage – Lighting, switches, outlets and wiring plus any home technology items will run around $15,000.
- Other costs – Final cleaning, punch list, warranty, closings fees, and miscellaneous expenses will likely total ~$5,000.
Total budget to construct a typical 2,000 square foot Idaho house = $315,000 to $500,000
Prices can rise significantly for premium finishes, multi-level designs, larger home sizes, and customization. Careful planning and researching accurate costs for your local area are essential.
Also read: How Much does it Cost to Build a House in Delaware
Step-by-Step Process to Build a House in Idaho
- Purchase property or lot
- Develop plans and secure permits
- Clear lot and prepare site
- Pour concrete foundation and footings
- Frame and erect house structure
- Install and finish roofing, windows, doors, siding
- Build out interior rooms with insulation, walls, fixtures
- Final cleanup, inspections, small fixes and move-in ready certification
The key high-level building phases include:
- Pre-construction planning, budgeting, permitting
- Site preparation – demolition, grading, utilities
- Foundation & framing – structural shell
- Exterior envelope – weatherproofing
- Interior finishes – trims, floors, fixtures
- Mechanical systems – electrical, plumbing, HVAC
- Final steps – passing inspections, owner orientations
Proper sequencing of these construction steps is crucial so previous work is protected as the build progresses. Close coordination with contractors and inspectors is also imperative throughout the building process.
Timeframe to Build a House in Idaho
If you’ve purchased property or secured financing, here’s an overview of the full timeframe it takes to complete new home construction in Idaho:
- Finalise house plans & get permits (1 month) – Complete blueprint plans, submit for permitting, await approvals before breaking ground.
- Site prep work (1-2 weeks) – Clear lot, excavate for foundation, trench utility lines, pour basements & footings.
- Foundation & framing (1-2 months) – Build weight-bearing foundation, begin framing exterior walls, interior partitions, and roof assembly. Most vital structural work.
- Exterior finishes (1 month) – Roofing, windows, doors, siding, trim, decks– weatherproof home exterior while framing interior.
- Interior build-out (3-4 months) – Rough in mechanical systems (plumbing & electrical), insulation, drywall, paint, cabinets, fixtures, finishes, and flooring. Longest single phase typically.
- Final steps (1-2 months) – Cleaning, punch list, final inspections, builder walkthroughs, closing docs, and move-in ready.
Altogether, expect new home construction in Idaho to take approximately 9-12 months. Production builder assembly line techniques can often truncate this, while custom projects may require even longer.
Also read: How Much does it Cost to Build a House in Wisconsin
Factors That Impact the Cost to Build a House in Idaho
- Location – Urban vs. rural areas, surrounding home values
- Property type – Raw land, infill lot, teardown rebuild
- House size – Square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms
- Layout and design – Simple vs. complex shapes and angles
- Number of stories – Single vs. multi-level
- Materials used – Grades, finishes, and types of products selected
- Energy efficiency upgrades – Insulation, windows, HVAC systems
- Labour rates – Local construction crews and subcontractor pricing
- Customizations – Unique architectural details, visibility upgrades
- Permits and fees – Development, municipal, utility charges
- Site considerations – Sewer vs. septic, grading, landscaping, etc.
- Contractor efficiency – Production vs. custom builders, change orders
Saving on Costs Through the Build Process
- Use efficient floor plans that minimise complex framing shapes
- Build on flat land requiring less grading and foundations work
- Install roof trusses vs. stick framing for quicker erection
- Use standardised material sizes to reduce custom cuts/waste
- Partner with an experienced local production builder familiar with normative regional pricing
- Research prices thoroughly yourself if acting as own general contractor
- Use open flow kitchens with single runs for plumbing and electrical
- Install carpet and vinyl instead of premium hardwoods and stone
- Buy appliances, sinks, faucets and fixtures on sale or off the shelf vs custom
- Eliminate unnecessary decorative touches and overbuilding rooms
House Building Financing Options
- Construction Loans: A construction loan covers building costs in instalments as specific project milestones are met. Typically provided up to 9 months with variable rates. Require approximately 20% down payment. Interest payments due during the build.
- Bridge Loans: A short-term temporary loan used to purchase land or secure financing between closing on an existing home sale and new home construction. Usually 12 months or less term at higher interest rate. Useful when timing between transactions don’t align perfectly.
- 203k Rehab Mortgage: FHA insured loan covering purchase and renovation costs for distressed homes. Allows buying and rebuilding a rundown house. Require only 3.5% down payment. Limited to 1-4 unit residential buildings. Low credit score options available.
- Cash Savings: Self-financing a new custom build often results in better pricing control and timing flexibility. Many Idaho builders offer discounts from 5-20% for cash deals avoiding bank loan costs and delays. Money can come from a home equity line if available.
- Owner Financing: Some builders or land developers may directly hold a mortgage for qualified buyers if bank loan terms are unfavourable. This allows periodic payment plans tied directly to the property itself.
Benefits of Building Your Own Home in Idaho
- Customise designs, layouts, features to your lifestyle
- Construct equity and wealth with potential appreciation
- Use premium materials and finishes you select
- Incorporate energy efficient standards for sustainability
- Add smart home technology integrations
- Craft dream kitchens and bathrooms to your taste
- Designate spaces for hobbies, leisure activities
- Create generous storage as needed
- Configure for multigenerational households
- Add separate guest or rental units if desired
Building vs. Buying a House: Key Differences
Constructing a new custom residence enables you to dictate every facet of design from overall aesthetics down to the tiniest interior fittings. If a recently built production home fails to offer the exact floorplan innovations or highly-specified finishes your family requires, building from scratch is preferred. Despite typically higher base pricing, personalising a home through components like open concept entertaining venues, chef’s kitchens, spa bathrooms, optimised storage, integrated smart controls, electric vehicle charging, and beyond allows creating an ideally-tailored abode.
Alternatively, purchasing an existing or spec home provides move-in readiness, established neighbourhoods, and landscaping maturity at lower risk. Though less control over layouts and materials, resale homes present value opportunities to secure coveted locations or modernised amenities without long construction timelines. Whether modernising interiors over time or selecting a new community with preferred society dynamics, buying can achieve similar customization through strategic renovations or furnishings to call any dwelling your own. Weighing costs against customization flexibility helps determine the optimal new home procuring method.
Conclusion
Building a new home in Idaho allows you to customise the perfect sanctuary for your family’s needs and lifestyle aspirations. With costs averaging $158 per square foot, expect to spend $316,000 to $450,000 constructing a typical 2,000 square foot residence over an 8 to 12 month schedule. Carefully weighing key factors like design, finishes, property details, and financing will enable realising your dream Idaho living environment while controlling budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It costs approximately $157.76 per square foot to build a house in Idaho. So to construct a 2,000 square foot home would be around $315,520. Overall costs $465,520.
A 2,000 square foot house will cost roughly $315,520 to build in Idaho factoring materials, labor, permitting and other construction fees.
A 3,000 square foot custom home will average around $450,000-$500,000+ to build in Idaho. Larger square footage and features increase costs.
The full construction timeline is typically 9-12 months in Idaho from securing permits to finishing all inspections for occupancy.
Popular locations include Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Ketchum, Sun Valley, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls and Coeur d’Alene which offer great amenities.
Construction costs average $175-$225 per square foot in the Coeur d’Alene area, making it one of Idaho’s more premium real estate markets.
Building is usually more expensive upfront but allows full customization. Buying provides more value if it meets needs without excessive remodeling. Compare all costs carefully.