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

Installation Cost to Build a House in New York

Building a home is a large undertaking, and it involves hiring more than one contractor to get the job done. Hiring a nearby 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, while 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 square foot

• Electrician cost: $50–$100 per hour

• Plumber cost: $45–$200 per hour

• Roofers cost: $5,000–$10,000

• Driveway paving cost: $5–$7 per square foot

• 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 $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 top five most expensive cities in the world, prices are higher in the city than in other parts of the state.

Electrical

Expect to pay around $175 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 around $8,190, though you may pay anywhere from $800 to $45,000. Prices vary based on materials and specific geographic location.

Driveway

The average cost to build a concrete driveway in New York is around $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 Type

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

• Class 1 (luxury): $432 per square foot

• Class 2 (semi-luxury): $263 per square foot

• Class 3 (best standard): $168 per square foot

• Class 4 (good standard): $124 per square foot

• Class 5 (average standard): $100 per square foot

• Class 6 (minimum standard): $79 per square foot

Cost to Build a House in New York by Style

The style of homes you'll find in New York vary 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 around $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 for 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. They usually come in two to three stories and have 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-styles homes in New York are usually one-story or split-level designs. Since they're only one story, they're more commonly seen outside of New York City.

Cost to Build a House in New York by Square Footage

The average New York home is around 1,765 square feet, and the average cost per square foot to construct a home in New York is about $165 per square foot.

Cost to Build a House in New York Near You

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.

The average prices per square foot in New York cities are:

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 $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 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 make sure 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: $1,465–$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 Home Builder

Building a home is a big undertaking, and it’s best left to a custom home builder near you. 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.

FAQs

How much does an architect cost?

To draw up plans and get the project moving, you’ll want to hire an architect near you. The initial cost to draw up preliminary plans averages about $9,500. However, if the architect needs to be more involved throughout the process, they’ll usually charge 8% to 15% of the total project cost. If you hire an architect to oversee the project, they’ll usually cancel out the need for a construction manager.

Should you build or buy a home in New York?

In New York City, it’s much less expensive to buy an existing home than to find land to build on due to the large population in the city. As a rule, it’s less expensive to buy than to build. In most areas of New York state, you can save around $125,000 by buying an existing home instead of building a new home.

What’s the price difference between building a custom home versus a manufactured home?

Contrary to popular belief, manufactured homes aren't mobile homes. They're homes built in a factory and transported to a site, where a custom home is made from the ground up on-site. Manufactured homes tend to cost less than custom homes because you're not customizing the options. You could save up to $150,000 by choosing a modular home over a custom home, keeping in mind that you're limited in options for floor plans, fixtures, and other touches.