How much does it cost to build a house in Texas?
How much does it cost to build a house in Texas?
$140 – $220 cost per square foot (basic home)
$250 – $300+ cost per square foot (custom home)
$280,000 – $900,000 average total cost (not including land)
Average cost to build a house in Texas
The cost to build a house in Texas is $280,000 to $900,000 on average, not including the cost of the land or site development. New home construction costs range from $140 to $300+ per square foot, depending on the home size and style, quality of the material and finishes, builder, and location.
| House type & quality | Average cost to build* |
|---|---|
| Basic builder-grade home | $280,000 – $440,000 |
| Custom home | $625,000 – $900,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost per square foot to build a house in Texas
The cost to build a house in Texas is $140 to $220 per square foot on average for a basic home with standard builder-grade finishes. Costs range from $250 to $300+ per square foot for a custom-built home with upgrades like granite countertops, hardwood floors, or high-end finishes.
| Home size (square feet) |
Basic builder-grade home with standard finishes* | Custom home with upgraded finishes* |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | $112,000 – $176,000 | $200,000 – $240,000 |
| 1,000 | $140,000 – $220,000 | $250,000 – $300,000 |
| 1,500 | $210,000 – $330,000 | $375,000 – $450,000 |
| 1,800 | $252,000 – $396,000 | $450,000 – $540,000 |
| 2,000 | $280,000 – $440,000 | $500,000 – $600,000 |
| 2,500 | $350,000 – $550,000 | $625,000 – $750,000 |
| 3,000 | $420,000 – $660,000 | $750,000 – $900,000 |
| 3,500 | $490,000 – $770,000 | $875,000 – $1,050,000 |
| 4,000 | $560,000 – $880,000 | $1,000,000 – $1,200,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost factors to build a home in Texas
Your home's size, layout, and your choice of materials and finishes have the biggest impact on the cost. The table below provides a breakdown of the average total costs for major aspects of home construction in Texas.
| Category | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $10,000 – $28,000 |
| Framing | $19,800 – $75,000 |
| Roof | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| Siding | $8,000 – $32,500 |
| Electrical | $8,000 – $22,500 |
| 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 – $6,000 |
*Including labor and materials.
Buying land in Texas
The cost of land in Texas depends on the location and whether you buy a finished lot in a subdivision or raw land. Rural land costs $4,600 to $12,000 per acre on average. Half-acre finished lots range from $20,000 to $1+ million. Prices are typically highest in Houston, Austin, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
A land survey costs $400 to $1,800 and includes marking property boundaries, utilities, and the proposed foundation border.
Site prep
Your land will require preparation before construction begins. Excavation costs $1,500 to $10,000 on average to level and grade a new home site for a foundation. However, costs can quickly exceed $30,000 in areas with extensive bedrock close to the surface.
Foundation
Most new homes in Texas have a concrete slab foundation with no crawl space or basement. This foundation type is strong, durable, and minimizes rot and moisture problems. A concrete slab foundation costs $5 to $14 per square foot or $12,000 to $28,000 total on average.
Many older homes in Texas have pier and beam foundations. This foundation type is less common in new construction but may work best for homes on sloped lots or areas with expansive soil. A pier and beam foundation costs $14,000 to $28,000.
Framing
The cost of framing a house is $11 to $30 per square foot for labor and materials, or $19,800 to $75,000 total for a typical house, including framing the roof. Framing takes 30 to 60+ days, depending on the home's size, layout, and design complexity.
Roof
Roof installation costs $3 to $6 per square foot on average, depending on the material. Asphalt shingle roofs fall within this price range and last 15 to 30 years. Premium roofing materials like slate or tile cost $7 to $25+ per square foot with installation.
Siding
New house siding costs $4 to $13+ per square foot or $8,000 to $32,500 total installed, depending on the material, style, and quality. Vinyl siding is a popular, affordable choice. Brick and stone siding cost the most but provide a high-end look.
Electrical
The cost to wire a new house is $4 to $9 per square foot or $8,000 to $22,500 total on average, including labor and materials. Costs fall on the high end of the range for homes with more complex layouts or those that require a more powerful electrical service panel.
Plumbing & HVAC
New construction rough-in plumbing costs $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the pipe material and the home's layout. Rough-in plumbing involves installing the pipes, water supply lines, drain lines, connections, and vents. Plumbers also charge $450 to $1,800 per fixture to install bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and other fixtures.
A new HVAC system costs $7,000 to $16,000, including the ductwork. Prices depend on the home size and the system size, type, and brand.
Interior finishing & fixtures
Interior finishes and fixtures include the flooring, lighting, cabinets, countertops, painting, and more. This category makes up a large portion of the total cost to build a home, and prices can vary significantly depending on the materials and quality you select.
Flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot with installation.
Lighting fixtures cost $70 to $400 each with installation.
Cabinets cost $150 to $500 per linear foot or $4,500 to $15,000+ total installed.
Countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot with installation, depending on the material.
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.
Interior painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot of wall or ceiling surface.
Appliances
New appliances cost $200 to $2,300 each for basic models with standard features, depending on the brand. Prices for high-end refrigerators and ranges can reach $5,000 each.
A kitchen appliance package—including a basic fridge, range, dishwasher, and microwave—costs $2,100 to $5,400.
A washer and dryer set cost $1,000 to $2,300+.
Labor costs to build a house in Texas
Your builder will assign a general contractor to coordinate the project, order materials and supplies, manage the subcontractors, and ensure the project meets all details. A general contractor charges 10% to 20% of the total construction budget. Most home builders include this fee in the total cost of the build.
Your builder will typically hire and manage all the subcontractors needed to construct your home. Most reputable builders have already established relationships with pros they prefer to work with. The table below lists the average hourly rates for many of the professionals involved in building a house.
| 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 Texas vs. other states
In comparison to Texas, the nationwide average cost to build a house is $150 to $250 per square foot for a basic builder-grade home with standard finishes or $250 to $400 per square foot for a custom home with upgraded finishes, not including the cost of the land.
Compare the cost of new home construction in Texas to these other states:
The cost to build a house in Florida is $150 to $280+ per square foot.
The cost to build a house in Michigan is $130 to $220+ per square foot.
The cost to build a house in California is $200 to $600 per square foot.
FAQs about building a house in Texas
Is it cheaper to buy or build a house in Texas?
It is generally cheaper to buy a house than build one in Texas. However, it depends on the home size, quality, and location. Building a small, modular home may cost less than buying an existing home.
According to current real estate market data, the median sale price for single-family homes in Texas is $330,000, with more than half the homes selling for between $250,000 and $400,000.
How long does it take to build a house in Texas?
Building a house in Texas takes 4 to 8 months on average, not including the architectural design phase or site prep. The total construction time depends on the location, soil type, site topography, the contractor's experience, and labor and material availability.
Can you build a house with a basement in Texas?
In many areas in Texas, you can't build a house with a basement because the water table is too close to the surface. Some locations also have unstable clay soil, which makes adding a basement expensive due to the extra reinforcement needed. In other areas, bedrock near the surface makes digging a basement too costly.
Getting estimates from home builders in Texas
Follow these tips to find the best home builders near you:
Search for builders who specialize in the type of home you want to build.
Read reviews for Texas home builders on HomeGuide and Google.
Meet with at least 3 builders to discuss your desired home size, design, and features.
Ask for references from previous clients with contact information. Contact the references to ask about their experience collaborating with the builder.
Tour the builder's model homes or ask to view a portfolio of their custom homes.
Confirm the builder is licensed, bonded, and insured in Texas.
Ask about financing options and closing cost incentives.
Get a written contract detailing the materials, labor, costs, timeline, warranties, and payment terms for your project.
Questions to ask house builders
Ask these important questions before signing a contract with a builder for your new Texas home:
How long have you been building homes in Texas?
How many homes do you build per year?
Do you have a portfolio showing your custom home builds?
Are there any model homes I can tour?
Are you licensed and insured in Texas?
Can you provide references from past clients?
Do you have architects or home designers on staff who will create my house plans?
How much input will I have on the design and material choices?
Can you suggest ways to reduce costs without compromising my home's quality?
Will you handle all the permits and inspections?
What warranties do you provide?
What financing options do you offer?
Do you offer any closing cost incentives?