How much does it cost to build a house in Georgia?
How much does it cost to build a house in Georgia?
$150 – $350 average cost per square foot
$300,000 – $700,000 average total cost
Average cost to build a house in Georgia
The cost to build a house in Georgia is $300,000 to $700,000 on average, not including the cost for the land or excavation and site prep. New home construction costs in Georgia range from $150 to $350+ per square foot, depending on the location, house size and style, and your design and material choices.
| Average Cost | $480,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $95,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $1,400,000 |
| Average Range | $300,000 to $700,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost per square foot to build a house in Georgia
The cost to build a house in Georgia is $150 to $270 per square foot for a basic, builder-grade home with standard finishes. Builders typically offer these homes in only a limited number of styles and floor plans.
The cost to build a custom home in Georgia with upgrades like granite countertops and hardwood floors can cost $270 to $350 per square foot and reach as high as $500+ per square foot for a house with high-end fixtures and finishes.
| Home size (square feet) |
Average cost to build* |
|---|---|
| 800 | $120,000 – $280,000 |
| 1,000 | $150,000 – $350,000 |
| 1,500 | $225,000 – $525,000 |
| 1,800 | $270,000 – $630,000 |
| 2,000 | $300,000 – $700,000 |
| 2,500 | $375,000 – $875,000 |
| 3,000 | $450,000 – $1,050,000 |
| 3,500 | $525,000 – $1,225,000 |
| 4,000 | $600,000 – $1,400,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Factors that affect the cost to build a house in GA
Location is a major factor in the cost to build a house in Georgia. Land and construction costs are lower in the state's more rural areas and higher in coastal locations. In addition to the home's location and size, your choice of materials, fixtures, and finishes also impacts the total cost.
The table below provides a breakdown of the average costs for major aspects of new home construction in Georgia.
| Category | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $10,000 – $28,000 |
| Framing | $20,000 – $65,000 |
| Roof | $6,000 – $20,000 |
| Siding | $8,000 – $28,000 |
| Plumbing | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Electrical | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| HVAC | $7,000 – $16,000 |
| Interior finishes & fixtures | $50,000 – $200,000+ |
| Appliances | $3,100 – $7,700 |
| Building permits | $1,500 – $3,500 |
*Including labor and materials
Land
Before you can build your new house, you'll need to purchase a suitable piece of land. While rural farmland in Georgia ranges from $4,000 to $8,000+ per acre, the statewide average cost for land is $24,000 per acre. Prices vary significantly by location, and lots in popular coastal cities can easily exceed $300,000 per acre.
A land survey costs $400 to $1,800 on average for new construction, depending on the lot size. The surveyor will mark property boundaries, utilities, and the proposed foundation borders for your home.
Site preparation
Your land will require preparation before construction on your new home can begin. Excavation costs $1,500 to $10,000 on average to level and grade the site before pouring a foundation. However, costs can quickly reach $20,000+ for land with rough terrain, excessive clay, rocky soil, or large boulders.
Foundation
A concrete slab foundation is the most common type for new homes in Georgia. This foundation type is durable, resistant to pests and moisture, and more energy efficient than a crawl space or basement. A concrete slab foundation costs $5 to $14 per square foot or $10,000 to $28,000 total on average.
Coastal and lakefront homes in Georgia may require a pier foundation instead to raise the home's height enough to protect it from flooding. A pier and beam foundation costs $14,000 to $28,000.
Framing
House framing costs $11 to $30 per square foot, or $20,000 to $65,000 total for a typical house, including framing the roof trusses. The cost to frame a house depends on the size and layout. Homes with open floor plans have fewer interior walls to frame, keeping costs closer to the lower end of the range.
Framing lumber makes up a large portion of the total material cost to build a house.
Roof
New roof installation costs $6,000 to $20,000 total or around $3 to $6 per square foot for popular materials like asphalt shingles, the most common choice in Georgia. Tile, slate, and other premium roofing options cost $7 to $25+ per square foot for materials and installation.
Siding
Siding for a house costs $4 to $13 per square foot or $8,000 to $28,000 total with installation, depending on the material and quality. Vinyl, aluminum, and fiber cement siding are popular choices for Georgia homes. Stucco costs $7 to $17 per square foot and is another common option.
Plumbing & HVAC
Installing new plumbing costs $8,000 to $20,000, depending on the pipe material used. Rough-in plumbing for a new home includes installing pipes, connections, water supply lines, drain 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 new homes in Georgia have a central air conditioning system with a heat pump that can cool and heat the home.
Electrical
The average cost to wire a new house is $4 to $9 per square foot or $8,000 to $20,000 total for an average. Costs fall on the higher end of the range if your house requires a high-capacity electrical service panel or has a complex layout that is more challenging to wire.
Interior finishes & fixtures
Interior finishes include flooring, lighting, cabinets, countertops, painting or wallpaper, and more. This category accounts for a large portion of the total construction cost. Prices for finishes and fixtures vary widely depending on the materials and quality. If you're looking to cut costs, choose basic finishes and materials.
Keep these prices in mind when planning your build:
Flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot on average.
Lighting fixtures cost $70 to $400 each with installation.
Cabinets cost $150 to $500 per linear foot installed, depending on if they're stock or custom units.
New countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot with installation.
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.
Appliances
New appliances cost $200 to $2,300 each, depending on the brand, model, features, and quality. High-end appliances from brands like Sub-Zero and Wolf can cost $5,000+ each.
A basic kitchen appliance package costs $2,100 to $5,400 and includes a fridge, oven/range, dishwasher, and microwave. In comparison, a high-end appliance package featuring the same items costs $5,400 to $13,000+.
A washer and dryer set costs $1,000 to $2,300. Buying the two items separately increases costs by 10% or more.
Labor costs to build a house in Georgia
A general contractor coordinates your entire construction project, organizes the subcontractors, orders materials and supplies, and keeps the project running on schedule. General contractors charge 10% to 20% of the construction budget, and most builders include this fee in the total cost of the build.
The table below lists the hourly 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 specific 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 Georgia vs. other states
In comparison to Georgia, the national average cost to build a house is $150 to $250 per square foot for a builder-grade home with standard features and finishes. The average cost to build a home with upgraded finishes and high-end fixtures is $250 to $400 per square foot.
Compare the cost of building a new home in Georgia to costs in 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 Texas is $180 to $300+ per square foot.
The cost to build a house in California is $200 to $600 per square foot.
FAQs about building a house in Georgia
Is it cheaper to buy or build a house in Georgia?
Depending on the home size, style, and location, it's usually cheaper to buy a house than build one in Georgia. According to the latest real estate market data, the median sale price for single-family homes in Georgia is $304,800.
How long does it take to build a house in Georgia?
Building a house in Georgia takes 6 to 12+ months on average. The total construction time depends on the location and condition of the home site, weather conditions, labor and material availability, and the contractor's experience.
Can you build a house on conservation land in Georgia?
If your land is enrolled in Georgia's Conservation Use Assessment Covenant, you cannot build a house on it or develop it by adding roads during the 10-year covenant period.
The covenant provides lower property tax rates as an incentive for owners to keep the land undeveloped. Breaching the covenant can result in penalties and back taxes.
Can you build a tiny house in Georgia?
Georgia has no statewide laws banning tiny homes, but zoning rules and regulations vary by town. Some counties are more supportive of tiny houses than others, but all counties and towns require that tiny homes adhere to residential building codes.
The average cost to build a tiny house in Georgia is $30,000 to $150,000, depending on if it's a prefab model or a custom build.
Getting estimates from home builders in Georgia
Follow these tips to find the best Georgia home builders near you:
Choose builders who specialize in the house type and style you're looking for.
Read reviews of Georgia builders on HomeGuide and Google.
Meet with at least 3 builders to discuss your preferred home size, design, and features.
Ask each builder for references from previous clients.
Ask to see a portfolio showing their homes.
If possible, tour the builders' model homes.
Verify the builder is licensed and insured in Georgia.
Request a written contract that details the material types and costs, labor costs, schedule, and deadline for your project.
Questions to ask Georgia home builders
Ask the builder these important questions before you sign a contract:
How long have you been building homes in Georgia?
How many homes have you built in the past three years?
Are you licensed and insured in Georgia?
Do you have any model homes available to tour?
Can you provide references and contact information for past clients in this area?
Do you work with specific architects or home designers to create the house plans?
How much input will I have on the material and fixture choices?
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.