Building a new home is an exciting endeavour that allows you to fully customise your living space. However, constructing a house also requires careful planning and budgeting. In 2024, the average cost to build a house in Wisconsin is $210 per square foot. For a 2,000 square foot home, you can expect to spend around $425,000. With additional factors like property type, finishes, and location, total costs typically range from $310,000 to $600,000. In the USA building a new house costs an average of $150 per square foot. From start to finish, building a home in Wisconsin typically takes 9-12 months.
Key Takeaways
- Average cost per square foot is $210-$300
- 2,000 sq ft home budget is $420,000-$550,000
- Total spend depends on size, finishes, property, regulations
- Labour, materials, permits add to base build price
- 9 to 12 months typical new home construction timeline
Average Cost of Building a House in Wisconsin
On average, it costs approximately $210 per square foot to build a new single family house in Wisconsin. This makes the average 2,000 square foot Wisconsin home cost around $425,000 to construct. Additional soft costs like land, permits and professional fees can add $150,000 or more.
Average Cost to Build a House in Wisconsin by Square Footage
| Square Footage | Average Cost ranges |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $105,000 – $150,000 |
| 1000 sq ft | $210,000 – $300,000 |
| 1500 sq ft | $315,000 – $450,000 |
| 2000 sq ft | $420,000 – $600,000 |
| 2500 sq ft | $525,000 – $750,000 |
| 3000 sq ft | $630,000 – $900,000 |
| 3500 sq ft | $735,000 – $1,050,000 |
| 4000 sq ft | $840,000 – $1,200,000 |
| 4500 sq ft | $945,000 – $1,350,000 |
| 5000 sq ft | $1,050,000 – $1,500,000 |
Number of Bedrooms Average Cost to Build
Here is a table showing the average cost to build a house in Wisconsin by number of bedrooms:
| Number of Bedrooms | Average Cost to Build |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $250,000 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $325,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $375,000 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $450,000 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $550,000 |
For each additional bedroom, expect to add between $50,000-$75,000 to the total construction costs. This accounts for larger house size as well as expenses directly tied to bedrooms like flooring, closets, lighting, as well as a proportionate share of other house systems.
A single bedroom home would average around $250,000 to build. On the higher end, a large 5 bedroom house would run around $550,000 on average. This table assumes an approximately 2,000 – 3,500 square foot home size while varying the number of bedrooms.
Average Cost to Build a House in Wisconsin by Cities
| City | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Madison | $233/sq ft |
| Milwaukee | $205/sq ft |
| Green Bay | $198/sq ft |
| Appleton | $193/sq ft |
| Oshkosh | $188/sq ft |
Construction expenses can vary slightly by region, with higher costs generally found in larger, more populous cities. Rural areas tend to have lower build costs.
Also read: Cost to Build a House in Pennsylvania
House Construction Expenses Across States in US
| State | Average Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 Hampshire | $299,900 |
| New Jersey | $376,900 |
| New Mexico | $290,940 |
| New York | $360,180 |
| North Carolina | $301,500 |
| North Dakota | $212,500 |
| Ohio | $222,480 |
| Oregon | $340,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $302,200 |
Comprehensive Cost Breakdown for Home Construction
When budgeting for a new home build, it helps to understand how construction expenses break down:
- Land Acquisition: 10-15%
- Soft Costs: 15-20%
- Labour: 25-30%
- Materials: 35-40%
Land acquisition includes securing the property through purchase as well as initial grading, excavation, and utility installation. It makes up 10-15% of the total expense.
Soft costs account for 15-20% of spending. These include architectural plans, permits, legal fees, finance charges, taxes, insurance, and inspection costs. For a $400,000 home, you would allocate $60,000 to $80,000 for soft costs.
Construction labor also claims a significant share at 25-30% of the total budget. From framers to electricians, painters, and landscapers, skilled tradespeople contribute their time and expertise. With labor shortages, these costs are likely to rise moving forward.
Finally, building materials like lumber, drywall, shingles, concrete, and other structural elements comprise the largest share at 35-40% for most construction projects. As global supply chain disruptions continue affecting material availability and pricing, this portion remains somewhat volatile.
Also read: Cost to Build a House in Washington State
Factors That Impact Total Cost
Several key factors influence the overall expense to build a house in Wisconsin:
- House size – Costs scale up with added sq footage
- Number of floors/basement – 2 story houses cost more
- Number of bedrooms/bathrooms – More rooms adds expense
- Materials used – Luxuries like stone cost more than vinyl siding
- Additional structures – Garages, decks etc increase price
- Lot terrain – Difficult lots cost more to prepare
- Custom features – Price rises with more upgrades
- Contractor used – Prices range significantly
How Long Does it Take to Build a House in Wisconsin?
It typically takes between 9-12 months to fully construct a new, custom Wisconsin home. The building schedule is highly dependent on factors like:
- House size – Larger homes take longer
- Season/weather – Winter slowdowns likely
- Contractor workload – Wait if builder is busy
- Customizations – More complex homes take longer
- Permitting issues – Delays if problems arise
Best Ways to Save on Home Construction
To lower the total cost, consider:
- Optimise size/layout – Right-size rooms to live comfortably
- Choose standard finishes – Avoid expensive custom upgrades
- Use competitive bidding – Get multiple bids to find best pricing
- Have flexibility with schedule – Save if less time-sensitive project
- Ask about current promotions – Check for any seasonal deals
- Consider energy efficiencies – High-performance equipment costs more upfront but allows energy savings for years
Also read: Cost to Build a House in Colorado: Complete Guide
Types of New Construction Homes
The most common types of new construction homes in Wisconsin are:
- Single Family Homes: Detached stand-alone residences for single families. Most common type built.
- Townhomes: Attached units that share common walls. More affordable option.
- Luxury/Custom Homes: Larger or more customized single family residences. Higher end finishes and features.
A Guide to Construction Funding Options in Wisconsin
Most people need to utilize financing to fund building a custom home. Here are some top options for construction loans in Wisconsin:
- Bank Construction Loans – Typically cover 50-80% of project costs
- USDA Rural Loans – Help eligible rural and suburban borrowers
- VA Loans – For qualifying veterans and service members
- 203k Rehab Loans – Finance purchase and rehab/construction simultaneously
- Home Equity Loans – Use equity from current home
- Friends/Family Loans – Borrow from personal connections
- Credit Cards – High-interest option, best for small projects
Can I Build My Own House in Wisconsin?
Yes, you can build your own house in Wisconsin. However, undertaking a DIY build requires expertise in construction and is generally more time-consuming and challenging than hiring a general contractor. You’ll need to have skills in areas like framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and roofing or be willing to hire subcontractors. You’ll also have to manage all required permits and inspections.
Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy a House in Wisconsin?
In most cases, it is cheaper to buy an existing house in Wisconsin than building new. An equivalent 2,000 sq ft house would cost approximately $424,000 to build compared to the median sale price for existing homes of $300,300. However, building does allow you to customise and get exactly what you want.
Building vs. Buying a House: Key Differences
When building a new home, you can customize everything to your exact preferences, including the floor plan, layout, finishes, materials, and included features like a garage or deck. However, constructing a home takes significantly more time, often 9 months to a year before you can move in. And costs are set upfront, requiring accurate budgeting.
Alternatively, buying an existing resale home allows you to move in right away in most cases. And there is no need to go through the lengthy design and construction process. However, buying means you will have to compromise and make do with the existing home’s size, layout, style, and condition. While repairs can be made slowly over time, you inherit any existing problems a resale home has.
Benefits of Building a House
- Customise everything to personal tastes
- Incorporate modern efficiencies and technology
- Create the optimal layout to match lifestyle
- Configure house specifically to the lot/property
- Experience pride and joy of the construction process
- Correct issues proactively vs. inherit problems
Helpful Tips for Building in Wisconsin
- Start planning early, at least 6-12 months out
- Leave a minimum 10-15% contingency in the budget
- Expect a total process around 9-12 months
- Make financing arrangements before starting
- Document all agreements thoroughly in writing
- Prepare the lot properly – don’t shortcut prep work
- Follow the approved plans and specs closely
- Stay actively involved throughout construction
Conclusion
In conclusion, constructing a new home in Wisconsin costs an average of $210 per square foot. For a 2,000 square foot house, total expenses often fall between $310,000 and $600,000 based on the land purchased, level of customization, property location, and various other factors. The full process takes approximately 9-12 months from initial land acquisition through final move-in ready status. With realistic budgeting and scheduling, building your dream home offers an opportunity to craft your ideal living space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
An average 2,000 square foot house costs around $425,000 to construct or $210 per square foot. With land and other expenses, the total budget is about $575,000.
Building a custom home allows you to get exactly what you want, albeit at a 10-15% premium versus buying existing. Determine if customization is worth the extra cost for you.
Use competitive bidding, standard finishes, optimised floor plans and flexibility with timing/scheduling to drive down square footage pricing.
Only if you have extensive construction expertise. Mistakes made acting as your own GC can far outweigh any savings.
Plan on around $530,000 for construction. Add $100k+ for land, fees etc so have $650k total to build a typical 2,500 sq foot 2-story.
