How much does it cost to build a house in Tennessee?
How much does it cost to build a house in Tennessee?
$180 – $350+ cost per square foot
$360,000 – $700,000 average total cost
Average cost to build a house in Tennessee
The average cost to build a house in Tennessee is $360,000 to $700,000 for a typical 2,000-square-foot home, not including the cost of the land or site prep. Building a house in TN costs $180 to $350+ per square foot, depending on the location, house size and design, and the materials and finishes you select.
| Average Cost | $425,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $140,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $2,000,000 |
| Average Range | $360,000 to $700,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Cost per square foot to build a house in Tennessee
The cost to build a house in Tennessee is $180 to $350+ per square foot on average. However, the price depends greatly on whether you opt for a basic builder-grade home or a custom home with upgraded finishes and fixtures. Costs for high-end custom homes can exceed $500 per square foot.
| Home size (square feet) |
Average cost* |
|---|---|
| 800 | $144,000 – $280,000 |
| 1,000 | $180,000 – $350,000 |
| 1,500 | $270,000 – $525,000 |
| 1,800 | $324,000 – $630,000 |
| 2,000 | $360,000 – $700,000 |
| 2,500 | $450,000 – $875,000 |
| 3,000 | $540,000 – $1,050,000 |
| 3,500 | $630,000 – $1,225,000 |
| 4,000 | $720,000 – $1,400,000 |
*Not including the cost of the land or site prep
Factors that affect the cost to build a house in TN
In addition to the home's size and style, your choice of materials and finishes significantly impacts the total cost. The table below provides a breakdown of average costs for major aspects of new home construction in Tennessee.
| Category | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| General contractor | 10% to 20% of construction costs |
| Getting utilities to the site | $9,000 – $34,500+ |
| Foundation | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| Framing | $30,000 – $70,000 |
| Roof | $6,000 – $40,000 |
| Siding | $10,000 – $40,000 |
| Windows & doors | $16,000 – $50,000 |
| Electrical | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Plumbing | $10,000 – $18,000 |
| HVAC | $7,000 – $16,000 |
| Interior finishes & fixtures | $75,000 – $200,000+ |
| Appliances | $3,100 – $7,700 |
| Building permits | $1,000 – $4,000 |
*Including labor and materials
Buying land
The average cost of land in Tennessee is $5,000 to $12,000 per acre, but costs vary significantly by location. An acre of rural farmland may cost only $4,000, while prices for land near major cities like Nashville or Knoxville can exceed $300,000 per acre.
A land survey costs $400 to $1,800 for new home construction. The survey identifies property boundaries and marks the proposed foundation borders and locations of utility lines.
Preparing the site
Before the builder can start construction on your new home, they must clear the land and prepare the site. Excavation costs $1,500 to $10,000 to level and grade the site before building 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 preparing the land, your builder will also need to run water and power lines to bring 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, the infrastructure for public water and sewer lines may already be in place, but installation and connection fees cost $2,600 to $17,000.
Homes on rural property 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, which can result in higher costs for rural homes set back from the road on large pieces of land.
Foundation
Building a foundation costs $6 to $14 per square foot on average for a concrete slab, which is one of the cheapest and most popular types for new home construction in Tennessee.
Crawl space foundations are also common in Tennessee and make it easier to repair and maintain plumbing and HVAC lines by providing access to them from below. A crawl space foundation costs $15 to $18 per square foot.
Framing & roof
Framing a house costs $30,000 to $70,000, including the roof trusses. Framing makes up a significant chunk of the construction cost and takes 30 to 60+ days, depending on the home's size and layout.
After framing, roof installation costs $6,000 to $20,000 total, depending on the material. Asphalt shingles are a popular roofing choice for new Tennessee homes and fall within this price range. In comparison, a metal roof costs $13,500 to $40,000.
Siding
Your choice of exterior wall finish also impacts the construction cost. House siding costs $10,000 to $40,000+ installed, depending on the material and quality. Vinyl siding is a popular and classic choice priced in the lower half of that range, while premium materials like brick and stone cost more.
Windows & doors
Remember to budget for windows and multiple exterior and interior doors for your new house:
New windows cost $450 to $1,500 per window or $11,250 to $37,500 total for 25 windows, including installation. Window prices depend on the size, style, and material.
A front door costs $500 to $2,500+ for a single door or $1,500 to $6,500+ for a double door.
Other exterior doors for the garage, side, or back of the house cost $300 to $1,000 each.
Interior doors cost $225 to $800+, depending on the style.
Electrical
The average cost to wire a house is $12,000 to $20,000 total for an average home. Expect costs on the high end of that range if your house needs a high-capacity electrical service panel to power more appliances and devices or has a complex layout that requires more wiring than average.
Plumbing & HVAC
Plumbing for new home construction costs $10,000 to $18,000 on average, depending on the home's layout and the pipe material. 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, and other fixtures.
A new HVAC system and ductwork costs $7,000 to $16,000, depending on the home size and the HVAC system size, type, and brand.
Interior finishes & fixtures
Interior finishes include flooring, lighting, cabinets, countertops, painting or wallpaper, and more. Fixtures and finishes make up a large portion of the total construction cost, and prices vary widely depending on the quality. Keep these items in mind when budgeting for your build:
Flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot on average with installation.
Light fixtures cost $70 to $400 each with installation.
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 units.
Countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot installed, depending on the material.
Painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot of wall or ceiling surface.
Appliances
New appliances cost $200 to $2,300 each on average, depending on the brand, model, and features. Prices for high-end ovens, ranges, and refrigerators from brands like Wolf and Subzero often exceed $5,000 each.
A kitchen appliance package that includes a basic refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave costs $2,100 to $5,400.
A washer and dryer set costs $1,000 to $2,300.
Labor costs to build a house in Tennessee
Your builder will typically act as a general contractor to coordinate your entire project, manage the subcontractors, order materials and supplies, and ensure construction stays on schedule. A general contractor charges 10% to 20% of the construction budget and factors that fee into the total estimate for the project.
Your builder will usually hire and manage all the subcontractors needed for the project. 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 Tennessee vs. other states
In comparison to Tennessee, 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.
Compare the average cost to build a new home in these other popular states:
The cost to build a house in North Carolina is $180 to $450 per square foot.
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.
FAQs about building a house in Tennessee
Can you build a house on Greenbelt land in Tennessee?
Only agricultural land, forest land, and open space qualify for Tennessee's Greenbelt designation. If you build a house on Greenbelt land, that portion of the land will be disqualified from Greenbelt status and will not receive the property tax reduction. Greenbelt Law allows property owners to exclude a one-acre home site.
Is it cheaper to buy or build a house in Tennessee?
It is usually cheaper to buy a house than build one in Tennessee, but it depends 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 Tennessee is $396,000.
How long does it take to build a house in Tennessee?
Building a house in Tennessee takes 8 to 14+ months after the design is complete. The total construction time depends on the home size, whether you opt for a builder-grade model or custom home, the condition of the home site, weather conditions, and labor and material availability.
Getting quotes from home builders in Tennessee
Follow these tips to find the best Tennessee home builders near you:
Determine your total budget up front and make a list of your must-have features.
Choose builders who specialize in the house type and design you're looking for.
Read reviews of builders on HomeGuide and Google.
Meet with at least 3 builders to discuss your preferred home size, style, and features.
Ask to see a portfolio of their custom homes or tour their model homes.
Ask each builder for references from previous clients with contact information. Contact the clients yourself to ask about their experience collaborating with the builder.
Verify the builder is licensed and insured in Tennessee.
Request a detailed written contract that specifies the 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:
Are you licensed and insured for new home construction in Tennessee?
How long have you been building homes in Tennessee?
How many homes have you built in the past 5 years?
How many homes do you build per year.
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?
Can you recommend ways to cut costs on my build without compromising the quality?
Will you handle all the permits and inspections? Are those fees included in your bid?
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.