Cost per square foot for a new build

1/25/2016 at 5:08:16 PM

This is a very interesting question. Prices per Sqft are all dependant on:

- what you are building. Low End, Medium or High end.

- Than is depends what city and what province your in the $200 sqft in Surrey BC wont work for North Van or for the Maritimes.

Best of luck in your search.

Daryl Berden

1/25/2016 at 5:39:14 PM

190 sq ft contractor supply, customer supply is 12.00 sq ft.

1/25/2016 at 6:06:09 PM

$200 per square foot average.

1/25/2016 at 6:32:32 PM

Hi Mark,

Could be anywhere from $280000 to $380000. The upper figure is with exceptional finishes.

Continental Homes

1/26/2016 at 8:34:53 AM

Hello Mark,

$150-$250 per sq ft.

Price depends on interior and exterior finishes.

Regards,

Yuri

1/26/2016 at 9:27:59 AM

As a number of posts have mentioned.

It depends on what your idea of a high end finish is. I have found it varies greatly client by client over the years.

But I would say 200.00 to 240.00 per square foot for high end.

That is top of the line construction. And high end finishings.

Hope that helps.

James Fram

1/29/2016 at 10:10:45 AM

Hi Mark,

This has got to be one of the most asked questions in residential construction and why not? You need to have some frame of reference to start with and see if it is even feasible.

The only real way to determine square foot costing is to figure it out after the build. I know that does not help very much.

On average, you should probably start with the $200 - $250 / square foot to see if your project is "doable" for you.

The cost per square foot can be affected drastically by the design of the house. For example, does your design have a simple gable roof or are there hips and valleys and dormers? If you are building a custom home, are you really interested in building to minimum code requirements? Will it be a concrete block, poured concrete, or Insulated Concrete Form foundation? Will you build with conventional wood "stick" framing, double wall wood framing, or Structural Insulated Panels?

On a house of the size you have indicated switching from "conventional" batt insulation to spray foam could raise the cost by $10.00 per square foot or more alone.

Other things to consider are City (or Township) services. Is there an existing serviced house on the lot now or are you going to have to get a road cut permit, get contractors to hook up new drain, electrical, and water services? Or do you need a septic system.

Does your lot have access for equipment or will the design on the lot require the services of a crane or hand digging in certain areas? Will you require shoring of a neighbouring property?

There are a ton of factors that go into pricing a project and the overall size is not really one of them regardless of how convenient it is as a calculation. Trust me, I would love it if that were the case.

Speaking of which, be aware that there are "Builders" out there that actually do quote like that. They can provide a quote in about 45 seconds without seeing the property or plans and then will just tell you that this and that was not included, or "this is extra", thus rendering the initial (price per square foot) quote irrelevant.

If you move forward with your project, I strongly urge you not to accept any quotes that are not very detailed and based on a set of drawings and a site visit.

Best of luck!

Jason Irving

Cedarfalls Building Consultants Limited

7/17/2017 at 11:37:41 AM

Well Said Jason.