Cost to Build a House in Massachusetts: Complete Guide for 2024

The average cost to build a house in Massachusetts is $175.41 per square foot. This means a 2,000 square foot home will cost approximately $350,820. However, many factors influence the final price tag, so costs typically range anywhere from $500,000 on the low end to $750,000 or more on the high end. A new home construction in Massachusetts can take up to 9 to 12 months.

Key Takeaways

• The average cost per square foot to build a house in Massachusetts is $170-$200
• A 2,000 square foot home costs around $350,000-$400,000 to build
• Total costs range from $500,000 to $750,000+ when factoring additional expenses
• Key factors impacting cost include location, property type, materials, labour, permitting, etc.
• The full home building process takes 9-12 months on average

The Average Home Building Expenses in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts the average cost to build a home is about $176 per square foot. So building a 2,000 square foot home would typically require an overall budget of around $350,820. However, there is a wide range of total costs, typically ranging from $500,000 to $750,000+ for a single family residence. Determining the exact price depends on a variety of spatial factors, property considerations, material and labour costs, overall home size, and design complexity, among other variables.

Total Cost To Build a House in Massachusetts

Beyond just construction costs, most Massachusetts homeowners spend $500,000 to $750,000+ to complete a full build. This accounts for:

• Land acquisition – $100,000 to $300,000+
• Surveys, permits, fees – $15,000 to $30,000
• Architectural design – $20,000 to $50,000+
• Contingency reserve – 10%+ of build cost
• Contractor payments – 10% to 25% of build cost
• Landscaping, driveway, extras – $15,000+

So while the physical structure may ring in around $350,000, the total project cost is often double.

Also read: Cost to Build a House in Minnesota

Cost to Build a House in Minnesota by Square Footage

Square Footage	Average Cost Ranges
500 sq ft	$87,500 – $100,000
1000 sq ft	$175,000 – $200,000
1500 sq ft	$262,500 – $300,000
2000 sq ft	$350,000 – $400,000
2500 sq ft	$437,500 – $500,000
3000 sq ft	$525,000 – $600,000
3500 sq ft	$612,500 – $700,000
4000 sq ft	$700,000 – $800,000
4500 sq ft	$787,500 – $900,000
5000 sq ft	$875,000 – $1,000,000

Cost to Build a Home in Massachusetts by Number of Bedrooms

• One Bedroom
  • Modular: $100,000 – $360,000
  • Stick-Built: $200,000 – $720,000
• Two Bedrooms
  • Modular: $150,000 – $540,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,080,000
• Three Bedrooms
  • Modular: $200,000 – $900,000
  • Stick-Built: $400,000 – $1,800,000
• Four Bedrooms
  • Modular: $300,000 – $1,200,000
  • Stick-Built: $600,000 – $2,400,000

Average Cost of Building a House in MA by Number of Stories

• One Story
  • Modular: $100,000 – $450,000
  • Stick-Built: $200,000 – $900,000
• Two Stories
  • Modular: $150,000 – $810,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,620,000
• Three Stories
  • Modular: $300,000 – $1,200,000
  • Stick-Built: $600,000 – $2,400,000

Building a House in Massachusetts Cost by Style

• Tiny House
  • Modular: $15,000 – $30,000
  • Stick-Built: $30,000 – $90,000
• Bungalow
  • Modular: $100,000 – $450,000
  • Stick-Built: $200,000 – $900,000
• Ranch
  • Modular: $150,000 – $600,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,200,000
• Gambrel
  • Modular: $150,000 – $600,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,200,000
• Cape Cod
  • Modular: $150,000 – $600,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,200,000
• Split-Level
  • Modular: $150,000 – $600,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,200,000
• Contemporary
  • Modular: $150,000 – $1,050,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,200,000
• Beach House
  • Modular: $150,000 – $1,050,000
  • Stick-Built: $300,000 – $1,200,000
• Victorian
  • Modular: $200,000 – $1,050,000
  • Stick-Built: $400,000 – $2,100,000
• Colonial
  • Modular: $200,000 – $1,050,000
  • Stick-Built: $400,000 – $2,100,000

Cost to Build a House in Minnesota by Cities

• Medway: Average Cost $180 per Sq. Ft
• Boston: Average Cost $160 per Sq. Ft

Also read: Cost to Build a House in Wisconsin

House Construction Expenses Across States in US

State	Average Amount
Massachusetts	$350,820
Minnesota	$236,980
Pennsylvania	$270,000
Wisconsin	$424,000
Oklahoma	$260,000
Washington	$343,100
Alabama	$267,620
Colorado	$299,300
Alaska	$421,080
Arizona	$295,580
Arkansas	$251,800
California	$405,440
Connecticut	$345,440
Delaware	$327,060
Florida	$263,640
Georgia	$273,860
Hawaii	$412,840
Idaho	$315,520
Illinois	$265,440
Montana	$298,960
Nebraska	$210,900
Nevada	$334,140
New Jersey	$376,900
New York	$360,180
North Carolina	$301,500
North Dakota	$212,500
Ohio	$222,480

Breakdown of New Home Construction Costs

Here is a closer look at how the total amount is derived when budgeting for a new house build project:

• Lot/Land Acquisition Costs – This includes the purchase price for the land, surveys, site engineering, site clearing, inspections, and closing fees. This can range from 10-30% of the total budget.
• Material Expenses – The largest chunk of most build projects covers structural materials, exterior finishes, interior finishes, windows/doors, roofing, and other physical components. This covers 35-50% or more of the overall budget.
• Labor & Equipment – All contractor and subcontractor fees to physically construct the home make up another major portion, encompassing framing, plumbing, electrical, flooring, drywall, painting, and specialty trades. Generally 20-30%.
• Soft Costs – Permitting/fees (5-15%), design & architecture (5-15%), finance costs & insurance (2-5%), overhead & profit margin (5-15%), and contingencies (5-10%) get grouped together under soft costs. On average, they total 25-30% of the final house cost.
• Additional Expenses – Appliances, landscaping, furnishings, low voltage systems, security equipment and any post-construction additions should be budgeted separately from the home building costs.

Also read: Cost to Build a House in Pennsylvania

Key Factors That Influence Cost

There are several key factors that can impact the overall cost to build a new house in Massachusetts:

• Location – Property values and land costs vary greatly depending on the city, town, or neighbourhood. Building in metro Boston or nearby suburbs generally costs more.
• House Size – The square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, height, and layout complexity impact materials and labour needed. Larger and multilevel homes cost more.
• Materials & Finishes – High-end materials like stone, tile, hardwood, and premium fixtures drive up costs quickly. Luxury home features also add expenses.
• Permits & Fees – Local permit costs, impact fees, utility connection fees, and other charges can tally up. These vary by municipality.
• Labor & Contractors – Construction labour shortages in recent years have led to higher hourly rates. Using premium builders and subcontractors increases costs as well.
• Customization – Personalized designs, architectural details, incorporated green technology, and other custom features contribute added building expenses.

Total Timeline to Build

Starting to finish, constructing a customised single-family home takes 9-12 months with a general contractor. Delays can extend timelines:

• Land purchase: 1-6 months or more
• Design phase: 1-3 months
• Permitting: 1-6 months depending on location
• Site prep and foundations: 1-2 months
• Framing and roofing: 2-3 months
• Exterior and interior finishes: 3-5 months
• Mechanical systems: 1-2 months
• Inspections, landscaping, and move-in: 1-2 months

So while the physical build may take 6-9 months, include prep work and you’re looking at close to a year before moving in.

Ways to Reduce Costs

To lower total spend, consider these tips:

• Opt for basic finishes, simpler floor plan, and smaller home size
• Research contractors thoroughly and pit bids against each other
• Use modular construction for faster timeline and cost control
• Become a GC yourself to avoid markup, if experienced
• Apply for rebates and programs from MassSave
• Install energy efficient HVAC systems to realise utility savings
• Select lower-cost areas of state for land purchase

Key Construction Funding Options in Massachusetts

• Conventional Loans
• FHA/VA/USDA Loans
• Renovation Loans
• 401(k)/IRA Loans
• Home Equity Line
• Personal/Business Loans
• Hard Money Loans
• Family Loans
• Crowdfunding
• Cash Payment

Benefits of Building Your Own Home

• Custom Design – You can create the exact floor plan and features that fit your family’s needs and lifestyle.
• High-Quality Materials – Choose the premium finishes and components you desire within your budget.
• Cost Savings – Building may be cheaper than buying an equivalent house on the market in some areas.
• Equity & Value – You invest directly into the property potentially yielding higher long-term appreciation.
• Flexibility – Decisions around layout, style, components can be modified more easily mid-construction.
• Energy Efficiency – Incorporate latest insulation, windows, heating/cooling technology to minimise energy costs.
• Personalization – Tailor every detail from the ground up to your personal tastes.
• Pride of Ownership – Enjoy a strong sense of fulfilment and accomplishment in your custom-built dream home.

Building vs. Buying a House: What is The Differences

The main difference between building a home and buying a home that’s already built comes down to customization versus convenience. When you build, you can personalise the layout, materials, style and features to perfectly match your family and lifestyle. However buying an existing home allows you to move in right away without the lengthy construction process.

Building takes significantly more time and planning, often 12 months or longer before you can move in. You work with architects to tailor design specifications, secure construction financing, manage contractors and subcontractors, and make countless decisions during the building phase. You take on more risk if costs exceed budgets. Ultimately by building you end up with a customised house that reflects your needs and personality. Buying a resale home provides more instant gratification so you can settle quicker, though tradeoffs come in the form of inheriting someone else’s layout, materials and design aesthetic that likely requires future renovations to personalise.

Conclusion

Building a new custom home in Massachusetts costs around $176 per square foot, with many variables causing total expenses ranging $500,000 to $750,000. Exact budgets depend on details like house size, property type, materials selected, location, contractor rates, and additional personalizations or upgrades.

Construction typically takes 9-12 months from securing financing through final move-in. Homeowners realise benefits like full customization, latest construction techniques/efficiencies, multi-generational design, and favourable resale value that offset the higher initial investment compared to buying an existing house.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)