Table of Contents
Exactly how much does it cost to build a home these days? Cost of homes vary widely due to location, building materials, land topography, and builder.
Average cost to build a home with the following assumptions: 2-car garage, brick exterior, reasonably flat land, granite counter-tops, 70 sq-ft driveway, and land is already owned.
| Size – Square Footage | Average Cost |
| 1000 | $180-210k |
| 2000 | $350-375k |
| 3000 | $475-525k |
What are the major costs in building a home?
- Land
- Foundation
- Framing
- Roof
- Exterior
- Interior
Land
A lot in Central Arkansas will cost between $20k-60k on average for a 0.25-0.5 acre lot. Prices vary widely and lots and land can go up to 100k+ depending on the neighborhood and size of lot. For more economical prices, look for lots or land in more rural areas, outside of larger cities.
Foundation
Foundation will likely be ~25% of the total cost of the home. There are several types of foundation styles with slab and crawl space foundation being the most common.
Silver Field Construction always recommends slab over crawl space as the slab foundation has better longevity at a lower price. For land that is sloped, many builders will build a combination cinder block and slab foundation to account for the change in elevation.
Framing
Framing accounts for ~30% of the total cost of the home, with “stick” framing being the most common in Arkansas.
Roof
Most common style of roof is shingles, but metal and slate roofs have become more common over the last five years. Metal roofs typically last 20-30 years, shingle roofs 15-30 years, and slate/stone can last up to 200 years. Slate roofs will require additional cost for framing due to the heavy weight of the stone. Shingle roofs are the most economically priced.
Exterior
Common materials for the exterior are siding, brick, or stone. Siding is the least expensive, but shortest longevity. Brick is the most commonly used exterior.
Many homes today are being built with a mixture of materials to improve design, while staying efficient on cost.
Interior
Interior prices will have the largest variance of cost as there are so many options to choose for flooring, wall, ceilings, bathrooms, kitchens, lights, fixtures, and more. Work closely with your builder to find the highest quality, for the best price.
