How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in New York?

Average Cost to Build a House in New York

Material Prices to Build a House in New York

How much is it to build a house in New York? That depends on the materials needed to construct a new home in New York state. Take a look at the table below to see average cost ranges for items like lumber for your house frame, roofing, and drywall.

Installation Cost to Build a House in New York

Building a home is a significant undertaking involving hiring more than one contractor to get the job done. Hiring a local construction management company can ease some stress by managing the project, but you'll still need to hire other specialists like electricians, plumbers, and other professionals. 

Some pros will charge by the square foot, others may charge by the hour, and some may charge by a percentage of the construction cost. The method they charge by is up to the pro, but here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

• Project manager cost: 10%–15% of the total project cost

• House framer cost: $7–$16 per sq. ft.

• Electrician cost: $50–$100 per hour

• Plumber cost: $45–$200 per hour

• Roofer cost: $5,000–$10,000

• Driveway paving cost: $5–$7 per sq. ft.

• HVAC installation cost: $500–$2,500

• Landscaping cost: $3,000–$15,000

Construction Manager

For homes under $1 million, construction managers charge an average of 10% to 15% of the project cost. Project construction managers, or general contractors, usually charge a percentage rather than an hourly rate. Construction managers are a crucial part of any home-building project, as they help clients plan for the entire project, hire subcontractors, and more.

Framing

In New York state, framing averages $1,900 to $6,780. Depending on the price of lumber, the cost could run higher or lower. The frame is the skeleton of the home and is constructed from wood. It goes up after the foundation and before the walls, wiring, or plumbing is installed.

Foundation

Laying the foundation for a home in New York costs around $8,650 to $18,430, with an average cost of $13,420. The final cost of the foundation will depend on the type and the exact geographic location. Since New York City is in the world's top five most expensive cities, prices are higher in the city than in other parts of the state.

Electrical

Expect to pay around $180 per hour to rough-in electrical for a new home in New York. New homes require rough-in electrical work, where electric wires are installed but not connected until other parts of the build are complete. Most rough-ins take three to seven business days but may take longer, depending on the size of the home.

Plumbing

Rough-in plumbing costs for a new home in New York run from $7,000 to $15,000. The cost will vary depending on the number of bathrooms, the square footage of the house, and any other water or sewage running pipes.

Roofing

The average cost to install a roof in New York is $8,190, though you may pay anywhere from $800 to $45,000. Prices vary based on the materials and specific geographic location.

Driveway

The average cost to build a concrete driveway in New York is $4,240. Driveways are becoming more and more customized, with options from concrete to asphalt to grass. Heated driveways are now an option, which might come in handy in a place with high snowfall like upstate New York.

HVAC

A new HVAC unit runs anywhere from $5,000 to $13,000, depending on the size of the home. For homes in climates that experience very low temperatures in the winter and hot weather in the summer, heating and central air conditioning will keep everyone comfortable year-round.

Landscaping

The average landscaping installation project cost in New York is $1,370 to $5,300 and varies greatly by the municipal area. Don’t forget the outside of your home when budgeting your building costs.

Cost to Build a House in New York by House Type

New York categorizes its single-family homes into six different classes. The average building cost per square foot for the different classes includes the following:

• Class 1 (luxury): $430 per sq. ft.

• Class 2 (semi-luxury): $260 per sq. ft.

• Class 3 (best standard): $170 per sq. ft.

• Class 4 (good standard): $120 per sq. ft.

• Class 5 (average standard): $100 per sq. ft.

• Class 6 (minimum standard): $79 per sq. ft.

Cost to Build a House in New York by House Style

The style of homes you'll find in New York varies by city. In New York City, for example, townhomes and brownstones are the most common type of homes. In upstate New York, Colonials, ranches, and Craftsman homes are popular.

Brownstone

The average cost to build a brownstone home in New York is $350 to $500 per square foot. Brownstones are vertical-style buildings, usually consisting of three to four floors. They're ubiquitous in New York City because they allow ample square footage without requiring a lot of land.

Cape

Expect to pay around $105 to $200 per square foot for a Cape-style home. They're usually single-story, with steeply sloped roofs and a symmetrical design. Their roofs can withstand heavy rain and snow, and there's usually a large central chimney.

Colonial

Colonial homes run anywhere from $110 to $210 per square foot. They're popular throughout the state of New York and have a formal design concept, usually coming in two to three stories with a centered front door and symmetrical design.

Ranch

Depending on the style of the ranch, expect to pay anywhere from $90 to $150 per square foot. Ranch-style homes in New York are usually one-story or split-level designs. Since they're only one story, they're more commonly seen outside New York City.

Cost to Build a House in New York by Square Foot

A house in New York state typically costs between $100 and $300 per square foot to build. This range increases dramatically when we look at the cost for a home in New York City, which averages $300 to $500 per square foot, with some luxury homes going up to $1,000 per square foot.

Below is a breakdown of the cost per square foot based on an average New York home size:

Cost to Build a House in New York by Location

Since prices in New York City vary greatly from prices in the rest of the state, it’s common to see large price differentials. A home in Albany, for instance, would cost far less than a home in Queens, even if they’re the same style and size.

Based on an average 1,700-square-foot home, the prices to construct a new house in New York are as follows:

Cost Factors for Building a House in New York

Beyond construction costs, there are several factors you’ll need to consider when building a home in New York.

Land

The price for an acre of land in New York City is approximately $5.2 million, while the price for an acre of land in Albany can be as low as $35,000. In New York City, where land is at a premium, land costs will be higher—sometimes exponentially higher—than in other areas of the state.

Permits

Different permits are required for different areas of the home-building process, and you can expect to pay around $1,900 for them. When building a home, don’t forget to factor in the price of permitting.

Interior Finishings

Once you have completed the outside of your home, you'll want to ensure it has the perfect interior touches.

Common interior finishings for New York include:

• Custom cabinet cost: $2,690–10,500

• Countertop installation cost: $1,800–$4,000

• Interior door installation cost: $800–$2,500

• Drywall installation cost: $970–$2,930

• Flooring installation cost: $1,090–$3,500

• Interior painting cost: $750–$2,000

• Appliance cost: $3,000–$15,000

• Lighting fixture installation cost: $220–$1,140 per fixture

• Fireplace installation cost: $1,470–$5,000

Exterior Finishings

Exterior finishings, such as window installation, painting, and patio expenses, should also be budgeted:

• Window installation cost: $2,250–$7,300

• House exterior painting cost: $1,700–$5,700

• Patio installation cost: $1,620–$5,800

DIY vs. Hiring a New York Home Builder

Building a home is a big undertaking, and it’s best left to a custom home builder near you in New York. There are ways you can save, such as putting in your own landscaping or managing the project, as long as you’re comfortable with the project. Doing your own construction management could save you 5% to 15% of the total cost, but you’ll have to hire subcontractors on your own.