In South Carolina, building a new home typically costs $100 to $200 per square foot, with an average of $150 per square foot. A 2,000-square-foot home would therefore run $260,000 to $390,000, with a state average of $301,840. Actual costs vary based on location, property, labor, materials and other factors. Completion period is 9 to 12 months.
Key Takeaways
- Average cost per sq ft is $150 in South Carolina
- The cost typically ranges from $100 to $200 per square foot.
- Total cost for 2,000 sq ft home is $260,000-$390,000
- State average to build new custom home is $301,840
- Prices vary by city/county based on labor, materials, etc
- Key cost factors: location, property, materials, finishes
- More customization increases overall budget
- Allow 9-12 months to complete new home construction
The Average Cost Building a Home in South Carolina
According to Forbes, the average cost to build a new home in South Carolina is about $150.92 per square foot. This means a 2,000 square foot home would cost $301,840. Overall total cost ranges from $250,000 to $400,000 depending on your location, property features, labor rate, materials used and other variables that affect the final price.
Average Cost Based On Square Footage in Rhode Island
| Square Footage | Average Cost Ranges |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $75,000 – $100,000 |
| 1000 sq ft | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| 1500 sq ft | $225,000 – $300,000 |
| 2000 sq ft | $300,000 – $400,000 |
| 2500 sq ft | $375,000 – $500,000 |
| 3000 sq ft | $450,000 – $600,000 |
| 3500 sq ft | $525,000 – $700,000 |
| 4000 sq ft | $600,000 – $800,000 |
| 4500 sq ft | $675,000 – $900,000 |
| 5000 sq ft | $750,000 – $1,000,000 |
Average Cost to Build a House in South Carolina by City
| City | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $150 |
| Charleston | $160 |
| Spartanburg | $165 |
| Greenville | $170 |
| Myrtle Beach | $180 |
Estimated Cost to Build a Home in South Carolina by Number of Bedrooms
| Number of Bedrooms | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $250,000 |
| 2 | $300,000 |
| 3 | $350,000 |
| 4 | $400,000 |
| 5 | $450,000 |
Estimated Cost to Build a Home in South Carolina by Number of Stories
| Number of Stories | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $270,000 |
| 2 | $330,000 |
| 3 | $390,000 |
| 4 | $450,000 |
| 5 | $510,000 |
Estimated Cost to Build a Home in South Carolina by Style
| Style | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Craftsman Bungalow | $300,000 – $350,000 |
| Ranch | $320,000 – $370,000 |
| Two-Story Colonial | $340,000 – $400,000 |
| Modern Farmhouse | $350,000 – $420,000 |
| Mid-Century Modern | $380,000 – $450,000 |
| Mediterranean | $400,000 – $470,000 |
| Coastal Cottage | $420,000 – $490,000 |
| Charleston Single | $450,000 – $520,000 |
| Luxury Modern | $480,000 – $550,000 + |
The Average Cost to Build a House Across The US State
| STATE | AVERAGE COST |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $301,840 |
| Rhode Island | $338,180 |
| North Dakota | $212,500 |
| New York | $360,180 |
| New Mexico | $290,940 |
| New Hampshire | $299,900 |
| Nevada | $334,140 |
| Nebraska | $210,900 |
| Montana | $298,960 |
| Missouri | $226,760 |
| Mississippi | $255,320 |
| Maryland | $294,160 |
| Maine | $282,140 |
| Kentucky | $280,580 |
| Kansas | $207,120 |
| Indiana | $219,300 |
| 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 |
| Washington | $343,100 |
| Connecticut | $345,440 |
| Florida | $263,640 |
| Georgia | $273,860 |
| North Carolina | $301,500 |
| Ohio | $222,480 |
Also read: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in South Dakota
Cost Breakdown of Building a House in South Carolina
Land Cost
The cost of purchasing land for new home construction varies widely across South Carolina. In some rural areas, lots can sell for as little as $10,000 while land prices in resort areas regularly top $200,000. Location, views, terrain, infrastructure and other factors all impact raw land costs. Plan to budget 10-25% of total construction expenses toward a lot depending on the market.
Construction Materials
Building materials typically account for 50-60% of the total budget based on $100-$200 per square foot construction rates in South Carolina. Key materials like lumber, concrete, windows, roofing, siding, drywall and flooring comprise the bulk alongside finish materials for kitchens, baths etc. Choosing mid-range options over luxury grades cuts this portion substantially.
Labor Expenses
Labor makes up roughly 25-35% of total building costs. Securing qualified contractors and crews amidst recent shortages has driven up hourly wages. Expect to pay prevailing rates to keep projects on schedule. Breaking costs down by trade package fosters accountability.
Permitting Fees
A long roster of required permits, inspections, surveys and utility hookup charges tally around 5%+ of the total expense. Key items include land surveys, environmental testing, architectural approvals, contractor licensing, inspections at multiple phases and more. These bureaucratic costs add up fast.
Additional Costs
Architectural Design Fees
- Complete architectural drawings
- Structural engineering
- CAD drafting
- Consultations/revisions *$15,000 to $30,000+
Project Management Fees
- Oversight of all contractors
- Scheduling
- Budget tracking
- Typically 10-20% of construction costs
Construction Loan Fees
- Origination ~ 1% of loan value
- Application fees ~ $500+
- Points to buy down interest rates
Appliance Packages
- Pre-configured bundles
- Brands: Whirlpool, GE, Bosch
- $5,000 to $15,000
Floor Coverings
- Hardwood, tile, carpet, vinyl
- Installation costs $5/sq.ft. to $15/sq.ft.
Landscaping
- Materials, labor & design
- Grading, drainage, planting
- Irrigation, patio, fencing *$15,000+
Contingency Funds
- Unforeseen overages
- 10% buffer typical
Also read: Cost to Build a House in Montana: Complete Percept
Factors That Influence Cost To Build in South Carolina
- Location – Prices fluctuate across different cities and towns based on local labor rates, material costs, permit fees, and property values. Coastal areas are generally more expensive.
- Property attributes – Lot accessibility, terrain, drainage, vegetation, etc. impact preparation work needed.
- House size – Square footage directly correlates to overall budget. Larger homes cost more to build.
- Layout complexity – Simple floor plans and shapes pare down building expenses versus intricate designs.
- Materials used – Upscale finishes mean a premium price tag versus standard or budget-friendly options.
- Labor shortages – Lack of skilled trades drives up hourly wages and delays projects.
- Contractor rates – Compare service fees across providers as overhead & profit margins vary.
- Permitting costs – All required approvals, licenses, inspections and utility connections add up.
- Unforeseen delays – Seasonal weather, permitting lags, material shortages all extend timelines.
Ways to Reduce Costs
While sticking to fundamentals in square footage and features is the main way to control expenses, there are also some potential areas to trim costs without sacrificing quality:
- Buy an existing older home and renovate vs. custom construction
- Act as project manager yourself to avoid markups
- Shop material prices from various building suppliers
- Compare fees across multiple general contractors
- Buy quantity packages/inventory closeouts for materials
- Use competitive public bids for each trade package
- Enlist sweat equity from family/friends for basic tasks
- Install landscaping features yourself later on
Timeline for Building a House
industry metrics point to an average 9 to 12 months for completion of a custom built single-family residence. Smaller homes can sometimes wrap in 6 to 9 months while larger estates often take 14 months or longer. Factors affecting the schedule include permitting timeframes in your area, seasonal weather impacts, size/complexity of the home and contractor workload.
Here’s a typical progression:
- Initial planning and budgeting – 1 to 3 months
- Design finalization and permitting – 2 to 6 months
- Site work and foundation – 1 to 2 months
- Framing/roofing – 1 to 2 months
- Exterior finishes – 1 to 2 months
- Interior work – 2 to 4 months
- Inspections/utilities/landscaping – 1 to 2 months
If building on land outside municipal boundaries, budget extra time for well and septic installation which can prolong the finish date, especially if environmental testing is required.
Also read: Cost to Build a House in Nebraska: Total Calculation
Financing Your South Carolina Home Build
Here are key points on financing options when building a home in South Carolina:
Construction Loans
- Only fund building phase
- Convert to permanent mortgage
Interest-Only Loans
- Pay interest payments only during build
- Principal payments later
One-Time Close Loans
- Single loan for construction & term
- Streamlined process
Land Loans
- Finance land purchase separately
- Add construction loan later
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
- Use existing home equity
- Revolving credit line
401K/Retirement Fund Loans
- Use self-directed IRA funds
- Must repay quickly
Home Builder Incentives
- Negotiate discounts/bonuses
- Time limited promotions
Out-of-pocket Funds
- Significant down payment required
- Does not require financing
Benefits of Building Your Own Home in South Carolina
Here are key benefits of building your own home in South Carolina:
- Cost Savings – DIY project management avoids markups
- Customization – Personalize designs & finishes
- Quality Control – Oversee and inspect work directly
- Flexible Schedule – Stage work around life priorities
- Sweat Equity – Invest your own labor
- Site Selection – Choose ideal location & property
- Future Resale – Built-to-suit homes hold value
- Equity & Appreciation – Grow investments over time
- Pride of Ownership – Enjoy fruits of your labor
- Creative Control – Make all decisions from start to finish
While self-directed home building requires significant commitments of time, energy and oversight, the payoffs of customization, quality assurance and cost management can make it a savvy route for many South Carolina homeowners. Careful planning and realistic expectations are essential.
Building vs. Buying a House: Key Differences
Building a custom home allows you to personalize the design details to suit your priorities, lifestyle needs and aesthetic tastes. You select the building site, floorplans, features, finishes and more. This route also provides quality control during construction that is reassuring for many homeowners. However, the extended timelines ranging from 9-12 months require patience. Construction loans with higher rates and eventual refinancing also makes for complex financing.
Buying an existing home is often the more rapid option taking 1-2 months to close and move in. Extended house hunts can be frustrating though as finding an ideal layout with all desired features is challenging. Quality and condition of homes on the market run the gamut so thorough inspections are critical. Most buyers taking this route must accept some compromise versus getting everything they want. But more immediate occupancy and potentially minimizing financing steps appeals to many South Carolina homebuyers.
Weighing your top priorities for location, style, budget, and timeline helps determine if building from the ground up or purchasing a home already on the market is the optimal move.
Is Building a House in South Carolina Right for You?
If you value customizing designs to suit unique needs, building from scratch in South Carolina allows creative control. If overseeing extensive project coordination doesn’t fit your capacity, buying an existing home eliminates some demands. Weigh priorities like budget, timeline, quality oversight, site selection, and financing terms. Building brings rewards through personalization but requires embracing the process. Determining your must-haves and deal-breakers provides clarity.
Is It Cheaper to Build a House in South Carolina
Yes, building a new home in South Carolina can prove less expensive in the long run compared to purchasing a resale home. With new construction, buyers control finishing selections to keep costs in check. Land acquisition, plans, materials, and labor are known upfront. Once amortised over years, personalised design and quality materials bring value. Calculations must include all buying costs like inspections on resales. With strategic decisions, new builds come out cost-effective over decades of ownership.
Bottom Line
Building a new single-family house in South Carolina runs from $100 to $200 per square foot on average with the current statewide mean at $150 per square foot. Applying those rates, a 2,000 square foot home would cost around $200,000 to $400,000 to construct. Statewide statistics show an average total budget of $301,840 for newly built residences. The timeline spans 9 to 12 months typically. Numerous variables like location, property attributes, builder fees and architectural features influence actual costs. Understanding the construction costs unique to your area and priorities makes it possible to budget accurately and set expectations for a building project in South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The average cost is about $150 per square foot. So for a 2,000 square foot home, expect to pay between $260,000 and $390,000. The state average for building a custom single family residence without land is $301,840. Including land, this could potentially reach $451,840 when factoring in land costs, excavation, permits and other costs.
Using the average cost estimate of $150 per square foot, a 1,500 square foot home in South Carolina would cost around $225,000 to build (1,500 sq ft x $150 = $225,000). However, total expenses could range between $150,000 to $300,000 depending on specific factors.
With the typical rate of $150 per square foot, constructing a 2,000 square foot house in South Carolina averages around $300,000 (2,000 sq ft x $150 = $300,000). But the final amount may fall anywhere from $200,000 to $400,000.
For a large 3,000 square foot residence, the median projected building cost is about $450,000 based on the $150 per square foot benchmark (3,000 sq ft x $150 = $450,000). However, for a home this size, it’s reasonable to expect total charges from $300,000 up to $600,000.
Yes, you can legally build your own home in South Carolina as an owner-builder. However, you still need to get proper permits and inspections to ensure compliance with building codes.
It typically takes between 9 to 12 months to fully construct a new, custom single family home in South Carolina. Larger or more complex homes may take longer.
Some of the cheapest construction options include small square footage, simple floor plans, manufactured homes, or buying land outside city centers. Using basic finishes also reduces costs. Getting quotes from several contractors helps find the best pricing too.
