Cost to Build a House in Florida vs Buying New Construction
National builder data puts construction alone at about $162 per square foot: $428,215 for the average 2,647-square-foot new home in 2024, 64.4% of its $665,298 average sales price, with the finished lot another $91,057 (NAHB). Building on land you already own, the median contract price for a contractor-built home was $404,000 in 2025, before the land (U.S. Census Bureau).
How much does it cost to build a house?
| Line item (NAHB, 2024 national average) | Amount | Share of price |
|---|---|---|
| Construction cost | $428,215 (about $162 per sq ft) | 64.4% |
| Finished lot | $91,057 | 13.7% |
| Average sales price | $665,298 | 100% |
| Average home / lot size | 2,647 sq ft on a 20,907 sq ft lot |
The rest of the price is the builder’s overhead, financing, sales and marketing costs, and profit. These are national averages for homes built for sale; Florida costs vary by county, lot, finish level and wind-code requirements.
How much would it cost to build a house in Florida?
Start with three numbers: the lot, the build contract and the soft costs. The Census Bureau’s median contract price for a contractor-built home on the owner’s land was $404,000 in 2025; that excludes the land. Then add permits and impact fees (set by each county and city), site work such as clearing, fill, well and septic where there is no sewer, a survey, and a construction loan’s interest while you build. Get those numbers from your county and two or three builders before you buy land.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a house?
Compared on the same size and finish, buying new from a production builder usually costs less than a custom build, because the builder buys lots and materials in volume and finances the construction. Resale is often cheaper still per square foot, but older homes can carry insurance, roof and system costs a new home does not. In 2025 the median new single-family home sold for $417,400 (2,194 sq ft median size), per the Census Bureau.
Compare the two paths in our new construction vs resale guide, see builder incentives in the Jacksonville builder incentive tracker, and browse Florida builders.
How much does it cost to build a home: the questions to ask
- Is the price per square foot quoted on heated (living) area or total area under roof?
- What is included: site work, driveway, landscaping, appliances, window coverings?
- Who pays for permits and impact fees, and are utilities (sewer or septic, water or well) at the lot?
- What are the allowances, and what happens to the price if materials go up mid-build?
- How long is the build, and what does the construction loan cost per month while it runs?
New construction homes for sale
- New construction homes for sale in Jacksonville
- New construction homes for sale in Orlando
- New construction homes for sale in Tampa
- New construction homes for sale in St. Augustine
More buyer guides
- How Much Is a Down Payment on a House?
- What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
- How Long Does It Take to Close on a House?
- What is escrow?
- What is an HOA?
Common questions
How much does it cost to build a house?
Is it cheaper to build or buy a house?
How much does it cost to build a house on my own land?
How long does it take to build a house in Florida?
Next step
Sources: NAHB Cost of Constructing a Home, 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, Characteristics of New Housing (2025). Checked 2026-10-25.
General information for home buyers, current as of 2026-10-25. Loan programs, limits and lender requirements change; confirm the details with your lender before you rely on them. Not legal, tax or lending advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.