How much does it cost to build a house in Florida?
How much does it cost to build a house in Florida?
$150 – $280 average cost per square foot
$270,000 – $560,000 average total cost
Average cost to build a house in Florida
The cost to build a house in Florida is $270,000 to $560,000 on average, not including the cost for the land and site prep. New home construction costs in Florida range from $150 to $280+ per square foot, depending on the location, house size and style, and your design and material choices.
| Average Cost | $415,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $120,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $2,000,000 |
| Average Range | $270,000 to $560,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost per square foot to build a house in Florida
The cost to build a house in Florida is $150 to $280 per square foot for a basic, builder-grade home with standard finishes. Builders typically offer these homes in a limited number of styles and floor plans.
The cost to build a custom home in Florida with upgrades like granite countertops and hardwood floors is $280+ per square foot and can reach $400 per square foot for a house with high-end fixtures and finishes.
| Home size (square feet) |
Average cost to build* |
|---|---|
| 800 | $120,000 – $224,000 |
| 1,000 | $150,000 – $280,000 |
| 1,500 | $225,000 – $420,000 |
| 1,800 | $270,000 – $504,000 |
| 2,000 | $300,000 – $560,000 |
| 2,500 | $375,000 – $700,000 |
| 3,000 | $450,000 – $840,000 |
| 3,500 | $525,000 – $980,000 |
| 4,000 | $600,000 – $1,120,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Factors that affect home building costs in Florida
Location is a huge factor in the cost to build a house in Florida. Land and construction costs are lower in the state's more rural areas and highest in beachfront locations or major cities like Miami and Tampa.
In addition to the home's location and size, your choice of materials, fixtures, and finishes also impacts the cost. The table below provides a breakdown of the average costs for major aspects of new home construction in Florida.
| Category | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $10,000 – $28,000 |
| Framing | $22,000 – $60,000 |
| Roof | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| Siding | $8,000 – $26,000 |
| Electrical | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Plumbing | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| HVAC | $7,000 – $16,000 |
| Interior finishes & fixtures | $50,000 – $200,000+ |
| Appliances | $3,100 – $7,700 |
| Building permits | $1,500 – $5,000 |
*Including labor and materials
Buying land in Florida
Before you can build your new house, you'll need to purchase a piece of land. The average cost of land in Florida is $30,000 to $50,000+ per acre, depending on the location. Home lots in Florida's major cities often cost much more, and prices for oceanfront lots can easily exceed $500,000 per acre.
A land survey costs $400 to $1,800 on average for new construction. The surveyor will mark property boundaries, utilities, and the proposed foundation borders.
Site prep
Before construction on your new home can begin, the site will require preparation. Excavation costs $1,500 to $10,000 on average to level and grade the site before pouring a foundation. Costs may be higher to grade the site for proper drainage if you're building in one of Florida's low-lying or swampy areas.
Foundation
Most homes in Florida have a monolithic concrete slab foundation with no crawl space or basement. This foundation type requires the least excavation work and minimizes moisture problems. A concrete slab foundation costs $5 to $14 per square foot or $10,000 to $28,000 total on average.
Coastal and lakefront homes may require a pier foundation instead to raise the home's height and protect it from flooding. A pier and beam foundation costs $14,000 to $28,000.
Framing & roof
The cost to frame a house is $11 to $30 per square foot, or $22,000 to $60,000 total for a typical 2000-square-foot house, including the roof trusses. Framing takes 30 to 60+ days, depending on the home's size, design, and layout.
After framing, new roof installation costs $6,000 to $18,000 total or around $3 to $6 per square foot, depending on the material. Asphalt shingles, a popular choice in Florida, fall within this price range and last 15 to 30 years. Tile and other premium roof materials cost $7 to $25+ per square foot with installation.
Siding
Siding for a house costs $4 to $13 per square foot or $8,000 to $26,000 total with installation, depending on the material and quality. Vinyl and aluminum siding are affordable options that fall within that range. Stucco costs $7 to $17 per square foot and is another popular choice for Florida homes.
Electrical
The average cost to wire a new house is $4 to $9 per square foot or $8,000 to $18,000 total for a 2,000-square-foot home. Costs fall on the higher end of the range if your house has a complex layout or requires a high-capacity electrical service panel.
Plumbing & HVAC
Installing new plumbing costs $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the pipe material used. Rough-in plumbing for a new home includes installing pipes, connections, drain lines, water supply lines, and vents. Plumbers also charge $450 to $1,800 per fixture to install sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and other fixtures.
A new HVAC system with ductwork costs $7,000 to $16,000, depending on the system type, size, and brand. Most Florida homes have a central air conditioning system with a heat pump that can cool and heat the home.
Interior finishing & fixtures
Interior finishes include cabinets, countertops, flooring, painting or wallpaper, lighting, and more. This category accounts for a large portion of the total construction cost. Prices for finishes and fixtures can vary widely depending on the quality. Keep these costs in mind when planning your budget:
Cabinets cost $150 to $500 per linear foot or $4,500 to $15,000+ total, depending on if they are stock or custom units.
New countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot with installation, depending on the material.
Flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot on average or $8,000 to $30,000 total.
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot or about $8,000 to $30,000 total for a 2,000 square-foot-house, depending on the layout.
Painters charge $1 to $3 per square foot of wall or ceiling surface.
Lighting fixtures cost $70 to $400 each, including installation.
Appliances
Appliances for a new home cost $200 to $2,300 each, depending on the brand, model, and features. Prices can reach $5,000 each for high-end ovens, ranges, and refrigerators.
A basic kitchen appliance package costs $2,100 to $5,400 and includes a fridge, range, dishwasher, and microwave.
A washer and dryer set costs $1,000 to $2,300.
Labor costs to build a house in Florida
A general contractor coordinates your entire home construction project, orders materials and supplies, hires the subcontractors, and keeps the project running on schedule. General contractors charge 10% to 20% of the construction budget. Most home builders include this fee in the total cost of the build.
The table below lists the labor rates for many of the professionals involved in building a house. However, your builder will likely handle hiring and managing these subcontractors. Most builders already have relationships with pros they prefer to work with.
| Professional | Labor cost per hour |
|---|---|
| Excavating contractors | $100 – $300 |
| Plumbers | $75 – $150 |
| Electricians | $50 – $130 |
| Roofers | $30 – $100 |
| Carpenters & framing contractors | $30 – $100 |
| Siding contractors | $40 – $80 |
| Drywall contractors | $40 – $100 |
| Painters | $20 – $70 |
| Flooring installers | $20 – $70 |
| HVAC installers | $75 – $150 |
| Landscapers | $25 – $50 |
Cost to build a house in Florida vs. other states
In comparison to Florida, the nationwide average cost to build a house is $150 to $250 per square foot for a basic builder-grade home, not including the cost of the land. The national average cost for a custom home with upgraded finishes is $250 to $400 per square foot.
Compare these new home construction costs in other popular states:
The cost to build a house in California is $200 to $600 per square foot.
The cost to build a house in Texas is $140 to $300+ per square foot.
The cost to build a house in Michigan is $130 to $220 per square foot.
FAQs about building a house in Florida
Is it cheaper to buy or build a house in Florida?
Depending on the home size, style, and location, it is usually cheaper to buy a house than build one in Florida. According to the latest real estate market data, the median sale price for single-family homes in Florida is $423,500.
How long does it take to build a house in Florida?
Building a house in Florida takes 4 to 12+ months, depending on the home size, style, and whether you go with an existing model home or a custom design. The total construction time depends on the condition of the home site, labor and material availability, weather conditions, and the contractor's experience.
What is the minimum square footage for a house in Florida?
The minimum house size allowed in Florida varies by city and county. The city of St. Petersburg allows homes as small as 375 square feet, while Dixie and Pasco counties have minimum home size requirements of 450 square feet. The average cost to build a tiny house in Florida is $45,000 to $150,000.
In Florida, every house must have at least one habitable room that is 120 square feet or larger.
Getting estimates from home builders in Florida
Follow these tips to find the best Florida home builders near you:
Choose home builders who specialize in the type of house you're looking for.
Read reviews of builders on HomeGuide and Google.
Meet with at least 3 builders to discuss your preferred home size and features.
Ask each builder for references from previous clients.
Ask to see a portfolio showing their custom homes. If possible, tour the builders' model homes.
Verify the builder is licensed and insured in Florida.
Request a written contract that details the material types and costs, labor costs, schedule, and deadline for your project.
Questions to ask house builders
Ask the builder these important questions before signing a contract:
How long have you been building homes in Florida?
How many homes have you built in the past three years?
Are you licensed and insured in Florida?
Do you have any model homes available to tour?
Do you work with specific architects or home designers to create the house plans?
Can you provide references and contact information for past clients?
How much input will I have on the material and fixture choices?
Can you recommend ways to cut costs without compromising the quality?
Will you handle all the permits and inspections?
What warranties do you offer on the materials and workmanship?
What financing methods do you offer?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.