Home Building Costs
Most homeowners spend between $440 and $163,729 nationally. Get free estimates from local home building contractors.
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Even if you have extensive DIY experience and you love tackling new projects around the home, there are some instances when calling in a professional is an absolute necessity. If you are planning to construct a new house, for example, you will need a blueprint for the house, or you might want to work with a designer to create a layout. If you are planning a serious remodel or addition to the home, a structural engineer can ensure that any plans you might have are safe and can meet local building codes. Use this guide to get a better idea of the various costs associated with getting building plans, hiring an architect, using an engineer or working with a home designer.
Featured Project
| Types of Kitchen Remodel Projects | Average National Cost |
|---|---|
| Hire a Construction Manager | $163,729 |
| Install Poured Concrete Wall | $13,126 |
| Get a Building Permit | $12,336 |
| Hire an Architect | $4,666 |
| Create a Custom Metal Structure or Object | $4,210 |
| Excavate Land | $3,539 |
| Demo an Interior | $3,233 |
| Install Carpentry Framing | $3,028 |
| Install Steel Beams | $2,387 |
| Fabricate Sheet Metal | $2,140 |
| Hire a Draftsperson | $1,659 |
| Purchase a Home Warranty | $1,043 |
| Repair Carpentry Framing | $900 |
| Hire an Engineer | $491 |
| Hire a Land Surveyor | $463 |
| Clean Construction Site | $440 |
| Weld Metal | $348 |
Costs of Getting Building Plans For New Construction or Additions
Whether you are getting ready to build an entire single-family home or you just want to add a third bedroom onto the side of the house as an addition, you will need to have drafts, better known in the world of home design as blueprints. These blueprints give the user a clear picture of what the home will look like, and it can be completed with traditional drafting tools or with CAD, which is computer-aided design. Either way, these blueprints can come in handy whether you are hiring a contractor to oversee the project or trying to secure financing for the build. Expect to pay between $1,585 and $1,973 for building plans, but be prepared to pay more if you need the blueprints in a hurry.
Costs of Hiring an Architect
While getting blueprints from a draftsperson can be affordable, many homeowners prefer to hire the services of an architect. Architects generally have more training and certifications, and they don't need to have their designs signed off by anyone. Working with an architect is ideal for those who want to allow someone else to take the reigns since many architects will work directly with contractors to get the right materials and see the project through to completion. Of course, this extensive hands-on service also comes at a higher price. Architects charge roughly $8,791 for a home, but that price will vary depending on the size, changes, and corrections that are needed over time as well as your location.
As you talk to possible home building pros, make sure you understand the responsibility differences. While some sound similar, they can be quite different. See what you can expect from an architect vs. a construction manager.
Costs of Hiring a Structural Engineer
In some remodels or additions, hiring an architect isn't a necessity. If you simply want to turn the basement into a living space, for example, or transform the attic into a bedroom, your priority should be hiring a structural engineer. This trained expert can tell you whether a sagging roof is a serious problem, if steel beams are required or if that post that you want to remove is actually load-bearing. Before you begin any serious DIY remodels, hiring a structural engineer should definitely be a priority. Structural engineers often make short visits to a building site, so expect to pay an average of just $638 for their services.
Additional Costs of Home Design
Aside from hiring a draftsperson, a structural engineer or an architect, there are some additional services revolving around home design that you might require. Land surveyors can determine if your location is suitable for new construction, and a soil engineer can determine any problems before you lay the foundation. Of course, you might also want to hire an interior designer to provide input about the layout of the home before it is built.
While you may not need all of these professional services when building a new home, adding an addition or just remodeling, it is likely that you will require at least some expert advice throughout the process. Having an understanding of the costs can help you make the right choices.