Estimating Total Construction Costs Guide
Discover the Average Cost to Build a House
Creating your dream sanctuary can be an exciting and rewarding journey! However, the most common complaint we hear from people who build their homes is that there are many hidden costs. This guide will help you understand the average cost to build a house, including the total construction costs, with estimation and costing of building.
Understanding the Average Cost to Build a House
Don’t be surprised by hidden costs
As you navigate the world of construction and design, understanding the total construction costs involved is a crucial step in bringing your vision to life. It’s essential to have a grasp of the average cost to build a house.
The total construction cost per-square meter estimation and costing of building for family houses with 2, 3, and 4 rooms in a variety of locations will be shared in this guide, helping you plan and budget for your ideal space. The house building cost estimator is a useful tool to ensure you allocate an adequate budget and are not hit with hidden construction costs.
In addition to exploring the average cost to build a house, including the cost of materials and labor, we will also delve into the impact of design and land factors on construction costs. Factors such as curved walls, passive solar heating, soil quality, and accessibility can all affect the overall cost to build a house.
We provide approximate percentage ranges for additional construction costs associated with these factors, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of what to expect as you embark on this exciting journey.
So, let’s get started on making your dream home a reality!
From Blueprints to Budget
Navigating the Estimation and Costing of Building
The estimation and costing of building data ranges provided below are broken down into affordable, mid-range, and luxury.
Please note that these construction costs do not include architectural fees, land costs, or executive project phases and are indicative and subject to change depending on various factors, such as location, materials, and design.
Affordable: This range typically includes basic materials and finishes, basic design elements, and minimal additional features. This range is suitable for those on a budget or looking for a more basic design.
Mid-Range: This range typically includes more high-quality materials and finishes, more advanced design elements, and some additional features. This range is suitable for those who want a good balance between cost and quality and are looking for a more upgraded design.
Luxury: This range typically includes the highest-quality materials and finishes, advanced and intricate design elements like curved walls, and extensive additional features like skylights or frequency devices. This range is suitable for those who want the highest level of quality and customization and are looking for a truly luxurious and sophisticated design.
House Building Sqm Cost Estimator by Location
Location | Affordable | Mid-Range | Luxury |
Boulder, Colorado | $1,200 – $1,800 | $1,800 – $2,400 | $2,400 – $3,000 |
Tulum, Mexico | $800 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $1,800 | $1,800 – $2,400 |
Uvita, Costa Rica | $600 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $1,400 | $1,400 – $2,000 |
Lisbon, Portugal | $800 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $1,800 | $1,800 – $2,400 |
Fethiye, Turkey | $400 – $700 | $700 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
Ubud, Bali | $400 – $800 | $800 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
Byron Bay, Australia | $1,500 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $5,000+ |
Average House Size Chart
Number of Rooms | Square Meters |
2 rooms | 80-100 |
3 rooms | 120-150 |
4 rooms | 160-200 |
Location Based House Size and Building Price Range Charts
Please note that the prices provided include the cost of materials and labor for construction only. The cost of land, furniture, appliances, and other interior design elements are not included in the estimates provided.
Boulder, Colorado
Cost Range | 2 rooms | 3 rooms | 4 rooms |
Affordable | $96,000 – $144,000 | $144,000 – $216,000 | $192,000 – $288,000 |
Mid-Range | $144,000 – $192,000 | $216,000 – $324,000 | $288,000 – $432,000 |
Luxury | $192,000 – $240,000 | $288,000 – $432,000 | $384,000 – $576,000 |
Tulum, Mexico
Cost Range | 2 rooms | 3 rooms | 4 rooms |
Affordable | $64,000 – $96,000 | $96,000 – $144,000 | $128,000 – $192,000 |
Mid-Range | $96,000 – $144,000 | $144,000 – $216,000 | $192,000 – $288,000 |
Luxury | $144,000 – $192,000 | $216,000 – $324,000 | $288,000 – $432,000 |
Uvita, Costa Rica
Cost Range | 2 rooms | 3 rooms | 4 rooms |
Affordable | $48,000 – $80,000 | $78,000 – $109,200 | $112,000 – $156,800 |
Mid-Range | $78,000 – $109,200 | $130,000 – $182,000 | $182,000 – $254,800 |
Luxury | $112,000 – $156,800 | $182,000 – $254,800 | $254,800 – $364,000 |
Lisbon, Portugal
Cost Range | 2 rooms | 3 rooms | 4 rooms |
Affordable | $64,000 – $96,000 | $96,000 – $144,000 | $128,000 – $192,000 |
Mid-Range | $96,000 – $144,000 | $144,000 – $216,000 | $192,000 – $288,000 |
Luxury | $144,000 – $192,000 | $216,000 – $324,000 | $288,000 – $432,000 |
Fethiye, Turkey
Cost Range | 2 rooms | 3 rooms | 4 rooms |
Affordable | $32,000 – $70,000 | $48,000 – $105,000 | $64,000 – $140,000 |
Mid-range | $56,000 – $120,000 | $84,000 – $180,000 | $112,000 – $240,000 |
Luxury | $96,000 – $200,000 | $144,000 – $300,000 | $192,000 – $400,000 |
Ubud, Bali
Cost Range | 2 rooms | 3 rooms | 4 rooms |
Affordable | $32,000 – $64,000 | $64,000 – $96,000 | $96,000 – $144,000 |
Mid-Range | $64,000 – $96,000 | $96,000 – $144,000 | $144,000 – $216,000 |
Luxury | $96,000 – $144,000 | $144,000 – $216,000 | $216,000 – $324,000 |
Byron Bay, Australia
Cost Range | 2 rooms | 3 rooms | 4 rooms |
Affordable | $120,000 – $200,000 | $180,000 – $300,000 | $240,000 – $400,000 |
Mid-range | $160,000 – $300,000 | $240,000 – $450,000 | $320,000 – $600,000 |
Luxury | $240,000 – $500,000 | $360,000 – $750,000 | $480,000 – $1,000,000 |
Additional Costs to Consider
Consider the following additional costs in your estimation and costing of the building to avoid hidden costs.
This is where people are generally surprised and do not find out until midway through the construction journey. We hope this supports you feel prepared so you can have an easy, stress-free building journey.
The percentages are to be calculated on the total construction costs, as you would have determined in the previous section above.
- Architectural fees: 5% to 15%
- Executive Project: 5% to 10%
- Site preparation costs: 5% to 15%
- Foundation & structural costs: 15% to 25%
- Mechanical & electrical systems: 15% to 20%
- Interior finishes: 15% to 25%
- Landscaping & exterior finishes: 5% to 15%
- Contingency costs: 5% to 10%
Factors That Can Have a Significant Impact on Construction Costs
Some examples include:
- Curved walls or bent glass panels: 5%-10%
- Passive solar heating/green roofs: 2%-5%
- Cut & fill operations: 10%-20%
- Soil type & quality: 5%-10%
- Accessibility: 5%-10%
- Utilities & infrastructure: 5%-10%
- Environmental factors: 5%-10%
Pool costs also vary based on size and materials:
- Affordable: $10,000-$30,000
- Mid-Range: $30,000-$60,000
- Luxury: $60,000-$100,000+
House Building Cost Estimator Formula
Alright, now let’s calculate the construction costs of a mid-range 3-bedroom 140 sqm house in the enchanting paradise of Ubud, Bali, complete with a beautiful jungle pool!
Total construction costs = (total square meters x Cost per square meter) x (1 + sum of Additional Cost Percentages) + fix costs e.g pool
Example:
- Calculate the base total construction costs: 140 square meters x $1,000 (right in the middle of the $800 – $1,200 range of the Ubud, Bali mid-range build sqm cost from the locations table)= $140,000
- Calculate the sum of additional cost percentages: 10% (design fees) + 10% (site preparation) + 20% (foundation and structural) + 18% (mechanical and electrical) + 20% (interior finishes) + 10% (landscaping and exterior finishes) + 7% (contingency) = 95%
- Calculate the total construction costs: $140,000 x (1 + 0.95) = $273,000
- Add the cost of the pool: $273,000 + $45,000 = $318,000****
There you have it! The estimated total construction costs for a mid-range 3-bedroom 150 sqm house in Ubud, Bali including a delightful pool, is approximately $318,000.
Important to Note
The prices provided in this guide are solely for reference purposes only. Actual construction costs may vary based on various factors, such as location, design, and land factors.
Additionally, the construction costs estimates provided are subject to change due to market fluctuations and the availability of materials. This blog was created in 2022. We will do our best to update the estimates if we notice changes.
Ready to Build Your Dream Home?
Let’s design your space in alignment with nature and your budget…
If you are ready to build your dream sanctuary in alignment with nature, Inphinity Design is here to help. Our team of experts is dedicated to creating regenerative, human-centric, and natural healing environments that are community-centered and in harmony with nature.
At Inphinity Design, we understand that the spaces we inhabit have the power to heal, inspire, and transform us. With our expertise in sacred geometry, bioarchitecture, and Vastu Shastra tools, we are committed to crafting human-centric, regenerative, and natural healing environments that foster community and are in harmony with nature.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and start the journey toward creating your dream sanctuary. We are here to guide and support you every step of the way, ensuring that your project is not only beautiful and functional but also aligned with your values and vision for a better world.