How much does it cost to build a house in New Jersey?
How much does it cost to build a house in New Jersey?
$200 – $350 average cost per square foot (basic home)
$350 – $600 average cost per square foot (custom home)
$360,000 – $1,200,000 average total cost
Average cost to build a house in New Jersey
The average cost to build a house in New Jersey is $360,000 to $1,200,000, not including the cost of the land, excavation, or other site prep. New home construction costs in NJ range from $200 to $600 per square foot, depending on the home size, style, layout, material quality and finishes, and location.
| Average Cost | $700,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $160,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $2,400,000 |
| Average Range | $360,000 to $1,200,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost per square foot to build a house in New Jersey
The cost to build a house in New Jersey ranges from $200 to $350 per square foot for a builder-grade home with basic finishes. Builder-grade homes typically come in only a limited number of styles and floor plans—varying from one builder to the next—and are sometimes only available in specific developments or subdivisions.
Costs increase from $350 to $600 per square foot for a custom home with high-quality fixtures and finishes.
| Home size (square feet) |
Basic builder-grade home* | Custom home* |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | $160,000 – $280,000 | $280,000 – $480,000 |
| 1,000 | $200,000 – $350,000 | $350,000 – $600,000 |
| 1,500 | $300,000 – $525,000 | $525,000 – $900,000 |
| 1,800 | $360,000 – $630,000 | $630,000 – $1,080,000 |
| 2,000 | $400,000 – $700,000 | $700,000 – $1,200,000 |
| 2,500 | $500,000 – $875,000 | $875,000 – $1,500,000 |
| 3,000 | $600,000 – $1,050,000 | $1,050,000 – $1,800,000 |
| 3,500 | $700,000 – $1,225,000 | $1,225,000 – $2,100,000 |
| 4,000 | $800,000 – $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 – $2,400,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
What affects the cost to build a house in NJ?
Materials make up about 50% to 60% of the total cost to build a house in New Jersey, while labor makes up the rest. The home's size, layout, and materials and finishes you select have the biggest impact on the total cost.
The table below covers the average costs for major aspects of new home construction in NJ.
| Category | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $10,000 – $40,000 |
| Framing | $23,000 – $78,000 |
| Roof | $9,000 – $25,000 |
| Siding | $8,000 – $35,000 |
| Electrical | $9,000 – $24,000 |
| Plumbing | $8,500 – $22,000 |
| HVAC | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Interior finishes & fixtures | $50,000 – $250,000+ |
| Appliances | $3,100 – $7,700 |
| Building permits | $2,000 – $6,000 |
*Including labor and materials
When budgeting for your build, plan for an extra 15% to cover overruns and unexpected costs.
Buying land
Before construction can begin, you'll need to purchase a lot suitable for building. The cost of land in New Jersey starts at around $9,000 per acre in rural areas, but prices can reach $100,000 to $350,000 per acre in highly desirable locations.
A new construction land survey costs $400 to $1,800 on average and includes marking property boundaries, utilities, and foundations.
Site prep
Your land will need to be prepared before builders can install the foundation. The cost of excavation ranges from $1,500 to $10,000 on average to level and grade a new home site. However, costs can quickly reach $20,000 or more for land with rough terrain, excessive clay, rocky soil, or large boulders.
Foundation
New foundation installation costs $6 to $50 per square foot or $12,000 to $100,000 total on average, depending on if it's a concrete slab, crawl space, or basement.
Many new homes in New Jersey are built on a slab-on-grade foundation, one of the most affordable types. However, if you're planning to build in a coastal location, consider an elevated foundation on piles, piers, or posts to reduce the risk of flooding.
Framing
The cost to frame a house ranges from $11 to $30 per square foot for labor and materials, or $22,000 to $78,000 total for a typical New Jersey house, including the roof trusses. Framing makes up a large chunk of the total construction cost and takes 30 to 60+ days, depending on your home's size and layout.
Roof
Roof installation costs $3 to $6 per square foot on average, depending on the material. Asphalt shingles are the most common choice in New Jersey due to their affordability and durability. Tile and metal roofs are also popular choices but come at a higher cost of $7 to $25+ per square foot installed.
Siding
New house siding costs $4 to $13 per square foot or $8,000 to $35,000 total with installation, depending on the material. Popular siding choices for New Jersey homes include:
Fiber cement siding
Vinyl siding
Aluminum siding
Cedar wood siding
Electrical
Wiring a new house costs $4 to $9 per square foot or $9,000 to $24,000 total on average. Expect to pay on the higher end of that range if your house features a complex layout or you need a more powerful electrical service panel to handle all the systems, appliances, and devices.
Choose an electric panel with a higher capacity if you plan to install an electric vehicle (EV) charging station in your garage.
Plumbing
Rough-in plumbing costs $8,500 to $22,000, depending on the home's layout and the pipe material used. Rough-in plumbing includes installing pipes, connections, water supply lines, drain lines, and vents. Plumbers charge an extra $450 to $1,800 per fixture to install sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers.
HVAC
More than 93% of homes in New Jersey have air conditioning, with around 80% having central air instead of relying on window AC units. Installing central air conditioning and ductwork costs $8,000 to $20,000, depending on the home's size and the HVAC system type, size, and brand.
Interior finishing & fixtures
The total cost for interior finishes and fixtures can range from $50,000 to $250,000+, depending on the materials and quality. This category makes up a large chunk of the total building cost and includes cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, painting, and more.
Keep these items in mind when budgeting for your new home:
Kitchen cabinets cost$150 to $500 per linear foot with installation.
Countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot installed.
New flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot installed.
Lighting fixtures cost $70 to $400 each with installation.
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.
Interior painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot of ceiling or wall surface.
Appliances
Appliance prices range from $200 to $2,300 each, depending on the brand, model, and features. High-end refrigerators, ovens, and ranges from top-of-the-line brands often cost $5,000+ each.
A kitchen appliance package featuring a basic refrigerator, oven/range, dishwasher, and microwave costs $2,100 to $5,400.
A new washer and dryer set costs $1,000 to $2,300.
Labor costs to build a house in New Jersey
General contractors charge 10% to 20% of the total home construction budget. Your general contractor will coordinate the entire project, manage the subcontractors, order materials and supplies, obtain permits, and keep your build running on schedule.
Labor costs make up about 40% to 50% of the construction budget. The table below lists the labor rates for many of the professionals and subcontractors involved in building a house. Your general contractor will hire and manage these professionals for you.
| 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 New Jersey vs. other states
Compared to New Jersey, the nationwide average cost to build a house is $150 to $250 per square foot for a basic builder-grade home or $250 to $400 per square foot for a custom home, not including the cost of the land.
Prices for new home construction in New Jersey are comparable to those in California, with the cost to build a house in California also ranging from $200 to $600 per square foot.
Compare the cost of building a home in New Jersey to costs 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 Michigan is $130 to $280+ per square foot.
The cost to build a house in Texas is $180 to $300+ per square foot.
FAQs about building a house in New Jersey
Is it cheaper to buy or build a house in New Jersey?
Whether it is cheaper to buy a house than build one in New Jersey depends on the home size, style, and location. According to the most recent real estate market data from the New Jersey Realtors® organization, the median sale price for single-family homes is $505,000, a 14.3% increase over the previous year.
How long does it take to build a house in New Jersey?
Building a house in New Jersey takes 8 to 16 months after completing the architectural design, clearing the land, and prepping the site. The total construction time depends on the home size and design, the builder's capacity, and the weather.
Can you build a tiny house in New Jersey?
Yes, you can build a tiny house in New Jersey. The state adheres to the standards outlined in the International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix Q Tiny Houses. However, regulations vary from one city to the next, and some cities impose additional restrictions on tiny homes.
A tiny house costs $150 to $250 per square foot for a prefab model or $250 to $450 per square foot to build a custom tiny home. Prices depend on the materials, fixtures, finishes, and if the home is on wheels or a foundation.
What is the minimum square footage for a house in New Jersey?
New Jersey building codes require every house to have at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant and 100 additional square feet for each additional occupant, with a minimum size of 60 square feet for each room used for sleeping purposes. Some cities require rooms used for sleeping to be at least 75 to 80 square feet.
Getting estimates from home builders in New Jersey
Follow these tips to find the reputable, experienced New Jersey home builders near you:
Look for builders who specialize in the house type and style you'd like to build.
Read reviews of New Jersey home builders on HomeGuide and Google.
Meet with at least 3 builders to discuss your preferred home size and features.
Ask the builders for references from previous clients with contact information.
If possible, tour each builder's model homes or ask to see a portfolio showing their custom homes.
Confirm the builder you choose is licensed and insured in New Jersey.
Get a detailed contract outlining the specific materials, labor, costs, and deadlines for your project.
Questions to ask house builders
Ask these important questions to help you select the best builder for your new home:
How long have you been building homes in New Jersey?
How many homes do you build per year?
Can you provide references from past clients?
Do you have any model homes nearby that I can tour?
Are you licensed and insured in New Jersey?
Do you have home designers or architects on staff who will create the house plans?
How much input will I have on the material and design selections?
Will you handle all the permits and inspections?
What warranties do you offer?
Do you offer any financing options or work with specific lenders?
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.