How much does it cost to build a house in Colorado?
How much does it cost to build a house in Colorado?
$200 – $300 cost per square foot (basic home)
$300,000 – $750,000 average total cost (basic home)
$300 – $500 cost per square foot (custom home)
$450,000 – $1,500,000 average total cost (custom home)
Average cost to build a house in Colorado
The average cost to build a house in Colorado is $300,000 to $750,000, for a basic builder-grade home or $450,000 to $1,500,000 for a custom home, not including the land or site prep.
Building a house in Colorado costs $200 to $500 per square foot, depending on the location, house size and style, and the materials, finishes, and fixtures you choose.
| House type & quality | Average cost to build* |
|---|---|
| Basic builder-grade home | $300,000 – $750,000 |
| Custom home | $450,000 – $1,500,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost per square foot to build a house in Colorado
The cost to build a house in Colorado is $200 to $300 per square foot for a modular home or a simple builder-grade home with standard finishes. Builders typically offer these homes in only a limited number of styles, finishes, and floor plans, which vary from one builder to the next.
The average cost to build a custom home in Colorado with upgrades like granite or quartz countertops, hardwood floors, and high-end fixtures and finishes is $300 to $500 per square foot, not including the land or site prep.
| Home size (square feet) |
Basic builder-grade home* | Custom home* |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | $160,000 – $240,000 | $240,000 – $400,000 |
| 1,000 | $200,000 – $300,000 | $300,000 – $500,000 |
| 1,500 | $300,000 – $450,000 | $450,000 – $750,000 |
| 1,800 | $360,000 – $540,000 | $540,000 – $900,000 |
| 2,000 | $400,000 – $600,000 | $600,000 – $1,000,000 |
| 2,500 | $500,000 – $750,000 | $750,000 – $1,250,000 |
| 3,000 | $600,000 – $900,000 | $900,000 – $1,500,000 |
| 3,500 | $700,000 – $1,050,000 | $1,050,000 – $1,750,000 |
| 4,000 | $800,000 – $1,200,000 | $1,200,000 – $2,000,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost factors to build a home in Colorado
The size of your home and the quality of finishes, fixtures, and materials have the biggest impact on the total construction cost. The kitchen design and the number of bathrooms also influence the cost. The table below provides a breakdown of average costs for major aspects of new home construction in Colorado.
| Category | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Getting utilities to the site | $9,000 – $34,500+ |
| Foundation | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| Framing | $20,000 – $70,000 |
| Roof | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| Siding | $8,000 – $37,000 |
| 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 | $2,000 – $6,000 |
*Including labor and materials
Buying land
Before you can build a house, you'll need to purchase a lot suitable for construction. The average cost of land in Colorado is $10,000 to $15,000 per acre, but costs vary significantly by location. Asking prices for construction-ready home lots in highly desirable locations can exceed $200,000 per acre.
A land survey costs $400 to $1,800 for a new home site. The surveyor will identify property boundaries and mark the proposed foundation borders and locations of utility lines.
Preparing the site
Before the builder can begin construction, they must prepare the site. Excavation costs $1,500 to $10,000 to grade a mostly-level site before pouring a foundation. Costs can be significantly higher—sometimes exceeding $100,000—if the site requires extensive dirt work, has steep slopes, or requires excavating with a jackhammer or blasting in rocky areas.
Getting utilities to the site
After prepping the land, your builder will also need to get utilities to the home site. The cost to get utilities on vacant land ranges from $9,000 to $34,500+, with prices depending on the location:
For homes in the city or in a subdivision, a public water and sewer infrastructure may already be in place, but you'll pay installation and connection fees of $2,600 to $17,000.
Homes on rural lots without access to public water and sewer systems require a well and a septic system.
Running power to a new house costs $5 to $25 per linear foot.
Foundation
Pouring a concrete slab foundation costs $5 to $14 per square foot or $10,000 to $35,000 total on average. Concrete slab-on-grade foundations are the most common type in Colorado due to their ability to withstand movement caused by the swell-shrink cycle of the region's Bentonite clay soil.
Alternatives to a concrete slab foundation include crawl spaces and basements, but both types come at a higher cost:
A crawl space foundation costs $7 to $18 per square foot.
An unfinished basement foundation costs $25 to $33 per square foot.
Framing
Framing a house costs $11 to $30 per square foot or $20,000 to $70,000 total for a typical house, including the roof trusses. Framing takes 30 to 60+ days, depending on the home's size and layout.
Roofing
Roof installation costs $3 to $6+ per square foot on average or around $6,000 to $18,000 total, depending on the material. Asphalt shingles are a popular roofing choice in Colorado and fall within this price range.
Tile and metal roofs are other popular options due to their fire resistance and longevity. A tile roof costs $7 to $25 per square foot, while a metal roof costs $5 to $16 per square foot.
Siding
Your choice of exterior finishes also impacts the construction cost. New house siding costs $4 to $15 per square foot on average or $8,000 to $37,000 total, depending on the material and quality. Vinyl siding is a popular, affordable option. Other common choices in Colorado include fiber cement, composite, or wood siding.
Electrical
The average cost to wire a house is $4 to $9 per square foot or $8,000 to $22,500 total. Expect costs on the higher end of that range if your house has a complex layout or requires a high-capacity electrical panel to power more appliances and devices.
Solar panels are popular in Colorado, and the state offers a variety of rebates and tax incentives for residential installations. Solar panels cost $2.82 to $4.60 per watt or $11,800 to $19,300 total for a 6-kW system after subtracting the federal tax credit.
Plumbing
New plumbing costs $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the home's layout and the pipe material used. Rough-in plumbing for a new house includes installing pipes, connections, water supply and drain lines, and vents.
Plumbers charge an additional $450 to $1,800 per fixture to install sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and other fixtures.
Heating & cooling
Furnaces are the most common heating method in Colorado. A new furnace and ductwork costs $7,000 to $16,000, depending on the size and brand. Other popular choices include a boiler, a heat pump with ductwork, or a central HVAC system that provides heating and air conditioning.
Interior finishing & fixtures
Interior fixtures and finishes make up a significant portion of the total construction cost, and prices can vary widely depending on the quality. Finishes include cabinets, countertops, flooring, painting or wallpaper, lighting, and more. Keep these items in mind when planning your build:
Cabinets cost $150 to $500 per linear foot or $4,500 to $15,000+ total with installation, depending on if they're stock or custom cabinets.
Countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot installed, depending on the material.
Flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot on average.
Painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot of wall or ceiling surface.
Lighting fixtures cost $70 to $400 each with installation.
Appliances
New appliances cost $200 to $2,300 each on average, depending on the brand, model, and features. Prices for top-of-the-line refrigerators and ranges can reach $5,000 each.
A basic kitchen appliance package with a refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave costs $2,100 to $5,400. A package featuring high-end appliances costs $5,400 to $13,000+.
A washer and dryer set costs $1,000 to $2,300.
Labor costs to build a house in Colorado
Your builder will act as a general contractor to coordinate your entire project, order materials, manage everyone on the job site, and ensure construction stays on schedule.
Your builder will typically hire and manage all the other professionals involved in the project. Most reputable builders have already established relationships with contractors who prefer to work within each field. The table below lists the average hourly rates for many of the pros involved in building a house.
Labor costs to build 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 Colorado vs. other states
Compared to Colorado, the nationwide average cost to build a house is $150 to $250 per square foot for a basic builder-grade home and $250 to $400+ per square foot for a home with upgraded finishes, not including the land or site prep.
For reference, consider the average cost to build a new home in these other popular states:
The cost to build a house in Florida is $150 to $280+ per square foot.
The cost to build a house in California is $200 to $600 per square foot.
The cost to build a house in Texas is $180 to $300+ per square foot.
The cost to build a house in Michigan is $130 to $250+ per square foot.
FAQs about building a house in Colorado
Is it cheaper to buy or build a house in Colorado?
It is usually cheaper to buy a house than build one in Colorado, but it depends greatly on the location and whether you build a basic builder-grade home or a custom home. According to the most current real estate market data, the median sale price for single-family homes in Colorado is $671,400.
How long does it take to build a house in Colorado?
Building a house in Colorado takes 10 to 14+ months after breaking ground, not including the architectural design phase. The total construction time depends on the home size and style, the condition of the home site, weather conditions, and labor and material availability.
Can I build a tiny house in Colorado?
Yes, you can build a tiny house in Colorado. Thanks to a state law passed in 2022, tiny houses are legal in Colorado and can be considered a full-time residence as long as they're built according to International Residential Code (IRC). The average cost to build a tiny house is $45,000 to $150,000.
Getting quotes from home builders in Colorado
Follow these tips to find the best Colorado home builders near you:
Choose builders who specialize in the type of house you want to build.
Read reviews of home builders on HomeGuide and Google.
Meet with at least 3 builders to discuss your preferred home style, size, and features.
Ask to see a portfolio of their custom homes or tour their model homes. Inquire about the final cost per square foot for specific homes they've built.
Ask each builder for references from previous clients. Reputable, trustworthy builders won't hesitate to share references.
Verify the builders are licensed and insured for new home construction in Colorado.
Request a written contract that details the specific materials and associated costs, labor costs, and timeline 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 Colorado?
How many homes have you built in the past 5 years?
Do you have any model homes I can tour?
Can you provide references with contact information for past clients?
Do you work with specific home designers or architects to create the house plans?
How much input will I have on the material and fixture choices?
Are you licensed and insured?
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.