How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Georgia?

Georgia offers many advantages to its residents, such as a great educational system and booming cultural scene. Kid-friendly attractions and recreational spaces also make it the perfect place to start a family. The best part? It won’t break the bank! The cost of living in Georgia is lower than the national average, making living here affordable. 

The Average Cost to Build a House in Georgia 

Cheapest Type of House to Build Per Square Foot

In Georgia, craftsman-style bungalows are one of the cheapest home types you can build. Its lightweight structure allows it to be erected quickly and easily, allowing you to move in sooner than homes made with brick or concrete.

Home Construction Costs Per Square Foot

Total Home Construction

$136.93–$547.72 per square foot 

The cost per square foot of building a house in Georgia would take you anywhere from $136.93 for craftsman-style bungalows to $547.72 for high-end colonial revival homes.

Craftsman-Style Bungalow

$136.93–$171.16 per square foot

Most homes boast an average floor area of 1,932 square feet, pegging your construction anywhere between $264,548.76 to $330,685.95.  

Mid-Range Home

$171.16–$376.55 per square foot

Symmetrical Brick Homes are popular in Georgia. Home construction costs for a 1,932-square-meter home range between $330,685.95 to $727,509.09.

High-end or Luxury Home

$376.55–$547.72 per square foot

Grand colonial-style homes are typical in upscale neighborhoods in Georgia. All these are fitted and finished with expensive materials and fixtures. High-end homes in Georgia would cost you roughly $727,509 to $1,058,195.

Construction Cost Per Square Foot in Various Georgia Cities

Building a house in Georgia is surprisingly cheap compared to other cities, with prices ranging from as low as $110 to $508.

A list of several cities and respective costs like this:

What Constitutes Full Cost to Build a House in Georgia?

Land Price

Land prices in Georgia are surprisingly affordable. The average price of land listings in Georgia is $450,000, but for as low as $30,000, you can purchase a small plot of land inside various Planned Unit Developments. 

Pre-construction Expenses

Site Works

Site preparation involves several jobs and tasks, including but not limited to surveying, grading, and excavation. The cost of site preparation is typically independent of construction costs. Site preparation typically adds 3-8% to the total project cost, depending on the scale and nature of the project. For example, building a home atop a boulder will cost more than building on flat land. With that said, prepare to spend at least $4.10  per square foot and, at most, $16.43 per square foot. The cost for site works will depend on the type of construction, the number of stories, and existing site conditions. 

Site work costs approximately: $4.10–$16.43 per square foot

Professional Fees

Professional fees usually cost between 8 to 15 percent of a home’s total project cost. Asking prices can range from $11.82 to $88.68 per square foot. For a 1,932-square-foot home, professional fees cost a minimum of $22,836. 

Professional fees are approximately $11.82–$88.68 per square foot

Building Permit Costs

In Atlanta, for instance, a building permit costs approximately $7 per the construction cost of $1,000. Considering a total construction cost of $330,000, prepare at least $3,000 for your building permit and the miscellaneous fees that come with it.

Building Permit approximately: $3,000 and above

Scope of Works

Foundation

Foundation costs usually occupy 10-15% of your total construction budget. For a house with a floor area of 1,932 square feet, consider spending anywhere between $26,454 to $59,523.

Foundation works approximately: $26,454–$59,523 for a 1,932-square-foot craftsman bungalow

Framing

Lightweight framing costs start at 10-20% of the total project cost, giving you a price per square foot of $13.69 to $41.07. These estimates are all based on a 1,932-square-foot craftsman bungalow. Luxury and high-end projects would cost five times the average pricing. 

Framing works approximately: $26,454–$79,364 for a 1,932-square-foot craftsman bungalow

Exterior Work/Enclosures

Exterior work refers to the building envelope, cladding, and glazing. For glass-clad facades, the cost for these glass enclosures would also fall under this category. For a craftsman-style bungalow built of wood, a budget of $20 to $41 per square foot is reasonable. 

Exterior works approximately: $39,682–$79,364  for a 1,932-square-foot craftsman bungalow

Utilities

Installing your home’s electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems can include essential elements like power, lights, water, heat, and more complex ones like sewer lines and ventilation systems. Utility costs can range from 10-15% of your final project cost.

Utilities approximately: $26,454–$59,523 for a 1,932-square-foot craftsman bungalow

Interior Finishes and Fixtures

Consider a budget of 25%-35% for interior work. Another way to estimate the cost for your interior finishes is to combine all rough works: foundation, framing, and exterior. The price will approximately reflect how much you will spend finishing your project. 

Low-cost finishes usually start at $34 per square meter. It usually includes no design element and is limited to flooring, walls, and ceiling alone. If you wish to build lovely kitchens, beautiful trim, and exquisite cabinetry, consider a budget of $71 and above per square foot. 

Interior finishes approximately: $66,137–$138,888 for a 1,932-square-foot craftsman bungalow

Labor costs 

The labor cost usually represents anywhere from 35 to 50 percent of total project costs, with the exact percentage depending on the type of work involved. Rough or pre-finishing works run generally around 35 to 40 percent of the final price. Finishing jobs are closer to 41 to 50 percent of the total. 

Labor costs approximately: $47–$102.00 per square foot, all dependent on the type of house and scope of works

Home Addition Costs In Georgia

To understand how much home addition and renovation projects will cost, you should first examine the scope of work needed to construct your home. You’ll also need to identify if there will be a need for additional foundation and framing works. The cost for home addition projects is pretty much the same based on a per-square-foot price, with a total amount usually smaller than building a new home since most home addition projects work within a smaller floor area.

Hidden Costs

Homeowners’ Association Fees

Consider the homeowners’ association fees necessary for your home. If you are building a house in a planned development with strict regulations, you will usually have to submit plans for approval. Prices vary, so contacting your HOA for actual figures would be best.

Landscaping Costs

10% of your construction cost is a feasible budget for an average landscaping job for your home, including all yards and sides. If you were working with a home construction budget of $264,548 for a 1,932 square meter home, it would be reasonable to spend around $26,000 on landscaping. 

Landscaping costs approximately: $26,000 lump sum

Driveway Costs

The cost for a simple concrete driveway installation in Georgia ranges from $3.55 to $6.48 per square foot. An upgrade to concrete would be concrete pavements, which cost $8.62 to $20.00.

Driveway costs are approximately $3.55–$20.00 per square foot

Perimeter Fence

Depending on the type of fence you wish to install, it could go as low as $9 and as high as $30 per linear foot. Perimeter fence options range from wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and concrete. 

Perimeter Fence costs are typically between $9–$30 per linear foot.