You’ve probably heard that Idaho is one of the most beautiful places in the country. You see it in National Geographic, you hear about it from other tourists and perhaps you’ve visited before. But what makes this state so popular among newcomers? Is there really anything special about Idaho? The answer is a resounding Yes! While some states are losing population and struggling to attract new residents, Idaho is growing at a rate that rivals the rest of the country. According to a US Census Bureau report, the population of Idaho was 1,634,464 as of July 1, 2017. Proof that building a life in Idaho could be for you. With that said, these are the costs you need to consider when building a home in Idaho.
- For as low as $200,000, you’ll be able to purchase a 5,000 square foot property in Idaho’s capital, Boise. As for farmlands, the price per acre of most properties is $2,600.
- To get an idea of how much home addition and renovation projects will cost, you should first look at the scope of work needed to construct your home.
- There a number of hidden costs that should be considered including landscaping, fencing, and HOA fees.
The Average Cost to Build a House in Idaho
Cheapest Type of House to Build per Square Foot
In Idaho, 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 Cost Range: $115.00 – $460.00 per square foot -The cost per square foot of building a house in Idaho would take you anywhere from $ 115.00 for craftsman-style bungalows to $460.00 for high-end luxury homes.
- Craftsman-Style Bungalow: $115.00 – $143.75 per square foot – 52.3% of homes in Idaho are single detached units, all because of its’ cheap land prices. Most homes boast an average floor area of 1,932 square feet, pegging your construction anywhere between $222,180.00 to $277,725.00.
- Mid-Range Home Cost Range: $143.75 – $316.25 per square foot – Concrete homes with brick tile roofing are popular in response to the climate in Idaho. Idaho lies in a humid, subtropical climate that tends to get stuffy and hot. Home construction costs for a 1,932 square meter home to range between $277,725.00 to $610,995.
- High-end or Luxury Home Cost Range: $316.25 – $460.00 per square foot – Grand colonial-style homes are typical in upscale neighborhoods in Idaho. All these are fitted and finished with expensive materials and fixtures, high-end homes in Arkansas would cost you roughly $610,995 to $888,720.
Construction Cost per Square Foot in Various Cities in Idaho
Building a house in Idaho is pretty average compared to other cities, with prices ranging for as low as $111 to $124 for basic construction.
A list of several cities and respective costs like this:
| State | Cost per square foot | ||
| Craftsman-Style | Mid-Range | High-End | |
| Boise | $124.00 | $186.00 | $496.00 |
| Idaho Falls | $111.00 | $166.50 | $444.00 |
| Twin Falls | $112.00 | $168.00 | $448.00 |
| Pocatello | $111.00 | $166.50 | $444.00 |
| Nampa | $111.00 | $166.50 | $444.00 |
| Meridian | $115.00 | $172.50 | $460.00 |
| Idaho City | $116.00 | $174.00 | $464.00 |
What Constitutes Full Cost to Build a House in Idaho?
Land Price In Idaho
For as low as $200,000, you’ll be able to purchase a 5,000 square foot property in Idaho’s capital, Boise. As for farmlands, the price per acre of most properties is $2,600.
Pre-construction Expenses
Site preparation involves a number of 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 $3.45 per square foot and at most $13.80 per square foot. The cost for site works will depend on the type of construction, the number of storeys, and existing site conditions.
Site works approximately: $3.45 – $13.80 per square foot
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 $22,797.
Professional fees approximately: $11.82 – $88.68 per square foot
Building permit fees are relatively average in Idaho. A safe number to consider is somewhere between $1,500 for all the fees required for constructing your home.
Building Permit approximately: $1,500 and above
Scope of Works
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 $22,218 to $49,990.
Foundation works approximately: $22,218 – $49,990 for a 1,932 square foot craftsman bungalow
Lightweight framing costs start at 10-20% of the total project cost, giving you a price per square foot of $11.50 to $34.50. 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: $22,218 – $66,654 for a 1,932 square foot craftsman bungalow
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 $17 to $34 per square foot is a reasonable budget.
Exterior works approximately: $33,327 – $66,654 for a 1,932 square foot craftsman bungalow
Installing the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems of your home 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: $22,218 – $49,990 for a 1,932 square foot craftsman bungalow
Related: Idaho Solar Incentives
Consider a budget of 25-35% for interior works. Another way to estimate the cost for your interior finishes is to combine all rough works: foundation, framing, and exterior works. The price will approximately reflect how much you will be spending finishing your project.
Low-cost finishes usually start at $28 per square meter. It usually does not include any 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 $60 and above per square foot.
Interior finishes approximately: $55,545 – $116,644 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 cost approximately: $57 – $122 per square foot; all dependent on the type of house and scope of works
Home Addition Costs In Idaho
To get an idea of how much home addition and renovation projects will cost, you should first look at the scope of work needed to construct your home. You’ll also need to identify if there will be the 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
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 it would be best to contact your HOA for actual figures.
10% of your construction cost is a feasible budget for an average landscaping job for your home, including all yards and sides. If you will be working with a home construction budget of $222,000 for a 1,932 square meter home, it would be reasonable to spend around $20,000 on landscaping.
Landscaping costs approximately: $20,000 lump sum
The cost for a plain concrete driveway installation in Idaho ranges from $3.30 to $6.61 per square foot. An upgrade to concrete would be concrete pavements, which cost $9.44 to $16.99.
Driveway cost approximately: $3.30 – $16.99 per square foot
Depending on the type of fence you wish to install, it could go as low as $13.21 and as high as $26.42 per linear foot. Perimeter fence options ranging from wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and concrete.
Perimeter Fence approximately: $13.21 – $26.42 per linear foot.
