How Much Does It Cost to Build a Victorian-Style House?

Average Cost to Build a Victorian House

Victorian House Build Material Prices

Set aside around 50% of your total budget for materials. Because of the intricacy of this style of architecture, material costs are higher than a standard box-build modern home. The final amount spent depends on how many Victorian elements you incorporate into your design, the quality of the materials and where you source them. Below are some of the key materials you should budget for.

*indicates Victorian-style design elements’ mean costs typically run higher than the average new build’s

Victorian House Build Cost Breakdowns

General contractor rates are typically 10% to 25% of the total project cost; savvy home builders hire a general contractor to oversee the project. They manage and pay laborers and subcontractors, source materials and support permit applications, among other tasks.

Victorian-style builds are often custom designs with intricate details, and pros require a high level of skill and more hours of labor. Consequently, installation and build costs are typically higher than a typical new build home.

Examples of Victorian-style build elements that require more skill and time include shingle siding rather than lap siding, interior cornice, turret or tower construction and decorative trims.

From planning to interior finishings, there are costs associated with each phase of the construction project. Even if you hire a local general contractor, it’s helpful to understand what each part of the project is likely to cost, so you can better analyze and understand the written agreement they provide you.

House Plan and Designer Fees

Budget for between $2,000 and $8,000. Purchasing a pre-made blueprint is cost-effective, but you may want to customize it or opt to have an architect make a fully bespoke plan. Below are some indicative fees you could incur in the planning phase. For Victorian-style homes, prices may be on the higher end because of the intricate design details.

• Architect costs: $125–$250 per hour

• Structural engineer costs: $100–$200 per hour

• Draftsperson costs: $50–$130 per hour

• Interior designer rates: $50–$200 per hour

• Landscape architect costs: $70–$150 per hour

Pre-Construction Costs

Even before construction begins, costs mount up. Some of the key pre-construction elements to consider include:

• Land purchase: The average housing land costs range from $50,000 to $100,000, but prices vary widely, depending on the size of the space and its location.

• Prepping land: If you don't purchase land on a housing development, you may have to pay to clear it for construction. Land excavation and grading coststypically run between $1,500 and $5,000. If there’s an existing building on the site, the cost to demolish a house falls between $3,000 and $25,000. Thisdepends on the size, location and whether any toxins, such as asbestos, are present.

• Building permits: You could spend between $1,200 and $2,000 on building permit costs for your construction project. Costs and requirements vary depending on the local authority regulations.

Foundation Costs

The cost to install the foundation for a new house runs between $18,000 and $30,000 (including excavating). One advantage of a Victorian-style home is that they’re usually two-story buildings, and these cost less to build the foundation than a bungalow with more floor space.

Framing Costs

Framing costs for the average 2,000-square foot single-story home run between $14,000 and $32,000, with an additional $4,000 to $16,000 for sheathing and wrap. Given most Victorian-style homes aren’t bungalows, it’s worth noting that the second story of a two-story home generally runs about $3 per square foot more than the first floor.

Major Systems Costs

You’ll need to factor in around $30,000 to $75,000 for the materials and installation of the major systems like plumbing, electrics and HVAC.

Exterior Finishing Costs

Budget at least $50,000 to $60,000 for exterior finishing work, but how much you spend on materials and installation depends on the design’s quality and intricacy. For example, many Victorian-style houses feature mansard roofs. These steep roofs have two slopes on every side and the cost to install them is higher than average. The cost to paint the house exterior and install large bay windows are other examples of how exterior finishing costs may be higher than average.

Interior Finishing Costs

The average cost for interior finishing is between $50,000 and $175,000. Victorian-style houses with a high level of ornate detail are more likely to be on the higher side of these estimates. Fireplaces in many rooms, chandelier lighting and hardwood flooring are some expenses you might not have in a simpler home style.

Victorian House Build Cost Factors

How much you spend on building a Victorian-style house can vary dramatically. Below are some of the key factors which affect your budget.

Size

An average U.S. house is just over 2,000 square feet. However, Victorian-style house plans vary in size. The size you opt for depends on the lot size, your family size and the space’s design.

Location

Desirable locations in or near major cities inevitably cost more. The price for the land, contractors and even materials can be more than in rural areas.

Type of Victorian Style

There are various sub-styles of Victorian home architecture. They all have their own distinct design elements that make them identifiable, but these intricacies add to your overall budget.

The famed Queen Anne style, for example, features heavy ornamentation, rounded towers and huge windows. Gothic Revival style homes often feature pointed, decorative windows, pinnacles and shaped parapets.

Quality of Finish

You don’t have to opt for the most expensive materials to achieve a high-end, durable finish. For example, vinyl shingle siding is considerably less expensive than the wood equivalent, but you can still achieve an elegant finish with this material.

Complexity of Design

If you want to go all-out Victorian in your design, this could add more to your costs than if you choose to add just certain elements to your home design. Some popular Victorian design elements that will likely add to your construction costs include:

• Towers and turrets

• Decorative trims

• Impressive staircases

• Fireplaces in multiple rooms

• Wraparound porches

• Exterior house painting

• Elaborate cornices

Cost to Build a Victorian House Yourself

You can save 30% to 50% on total project costs by taking on the entire build yourself. Choosing to act as a general contractor could save you 10% to 20% on the total project costs, but you need to invest a lot of time researching materials, contractors, permits, and building codes. Ultimately, you need a high level of construction and management skills.

DIY vs. Hiring Professionals

Unless you have extensive skills and experience, taking on an entire house build yourself is not a good idea—regardless of how much money you think you can save. Navigating the permit process, relevant building codes and the complexities of a major constructional project like this is challenging. DIYers often go massively over budget and timelines and may even need to hire pros to remedy costly mistakes.

For Victorian-style houses with intricate woodwork, windows and other ornate finishings, it’s even more of a challenge for someone without skills in these areas.

Taking on some of the interior or exterior finishing work rather than structural elements offers an opportunity to cut costs without it being too difficult. This might include things like painting, flooring or tiling.

FAQs

How do I find the right general contractor for a Victorian-style house build?

Hiring the right general contractor keeps you on time, on budget, and the quality of the work will be high. Shortlist a few contractors to get quotes from. They should have appropriate licenses, insurances, and experience—always follow up on references, too.

Once you’ve made a decision, read the written contract carefully before signing. It should clearly outline the contractor's responsibilities, the scope of the project and costs and timelines.

Although any reputable general contractor can support the project, looking for those with experience in adding Victorian-style features offers additional peace of mind.

Is building a Victorian-style home rather than purchasing an old Victorian-era property better?

Generally, purchasing a Victorian-era property costs less than building a new one of a similar size in the same location. You also get the original features and character that come with this type of historic property. However, building a new home means you can customize the design and layout. You’ll also avoid potentially costly maintenance that can arise in older properties from things like dampness, defective masonry, poor insulation and plumbing and electrical problems.