How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in South Carolina?

South Carolina offers the ‘best of both worlds’: majestic mountain ranges and the best beaches. It has great weather all year round, affordable real estate, and a flourishing job market making it an attractive place to migrate to for starting families. If you’re looking for a laid-back and close knit community, moving to South Carolina may be the best decision you will ever make.

The Average Cost to Build a House in South Carolina 

Cheapest Type of House to Build per Square Foot

In South Carolina, craftsman-style beach cottages are one of the cheapest home types you can build. Its’ architecture is known for taking advantage of coastal winds from the Atlantic, aiding in your home’s natural lighting and ventilation.

Home Construction Costs per Square Foot

Total Home Construction Cost Range: $150.92 – $603.68 per square foot 

The cost per square foot of building a house in South Carolina would take you anywhere from $ 150.92 for craftsman-style bungalows to $603.60 for high-end plantation-style homes.

Craftsman-Style Beach Cottage: $150.92 – $188.65 per square foot

South Carolina is home to various coastal communities due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Most homes boast an average floor area of 1,846 square feet, pegging your construction anywhere between $278,598 to $348,247.  

Mid-Range Home Cost Range: $188.65 – $415.03 per square foot

Low country cottages are rampant in South Carolina. With its wrap around porches and innate southern charm, it’s an architectural style common in most mid-range homes. Home construction costs for a 1,846 square foot home range between $348,247 to $766,145.

High-end or Luxury Home Cost Range: $415.03 – $603.68 per square foot

Plantation-style homes are typical in upscale neighborhoods in South Carolina. These homes possess a rustic southern charm that feels grand, yet cozy. All these are fitted and finished with expensive materials and fixtures. High-end homes in South Carolina would cost you roughly $766,145 to $1,114,393.

Construction Cost per Square Foot in Various Cities in South Carolina

Building a house in South Carolina is relatively average or above average cheap compared to other states, with prices ranging from as low as $80 to $175.

A list of several cities and respective costs like this:

What Constitutes Full Cost to Build a House in South Carolina?

Land Price In South Carolina

An Acre of farmland in South Carolina averages around $2,830. However, urban lots cost significantly higher at $500,000 per acre in most cities. If you wish to purchase a property that is accessible and will fit your budget, you can consider downsizing. A smaller cut of land, around a fourth of an acre, will cost you around $125,000, this translates to approximately 10,890 square feet, which is more than enough for a single-family home. 

Pre-construction Expenses

Site Works

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 $3.34 per square foot and at most $13.35 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: $3.34 – $13.35 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 1,846 square foot home, professional fees cost a minimum of $21,819. 

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

Building Permit Costs

The budget for building permit fees in South Carolina for a basic finished 1,856 home starts at $2,000 and could go as high as $10,000 depending on the total project cost. Compared to other states, building permit costs are relatively steep in South Carolina.

Building Permit approximately: $2,000- $ 10,000 Lump Sum

Scope of Works

Foundation

Foundation costs usually occupy 10-15% of your total construction budget. For a house with a floor area of 1,846 square feet, consider spending anywhere between $27,859 to $62,684.

Foundation works approximately: $27,859 – $62,684 for a 1,846 square foot for a craftsman-style beach cottage

Framing

Lightweight framing costs start at 10-20% of the total project cost, giving you a price per square foot of $15 to $45. These estimates are all based on a 1,846 square foot craftsman-style beach cottage. Luxury and high-end projects would cost five times the average pricing. 

Framing works approximately: $27,859 – $83,579 for a 1,846 square foot for a craftsman-style beach cottage

Exterior Work/ Enclosures

Exterior work refers to the building envelope, cladding, and glazing. For a craftsman-style beach cottage built of wood, a budget of $22 to $45 per square foot is a reasonable budget. 

Exterior works approximately: $41,789 – $83,579  for a 1,846 square foot for a craftsman-style beach cottage

Utilities

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: $27,859 – $62,684 for a 1,846 square foot 

Interior Finishes and Fixtures

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 $37 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 $79 and above per square foot. 

Interior finishes approximately: $69,649 – $146,264 for a 1,846 square foot for a craftsman-style beach cottage

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: $52 – $113.00  per square foot; all dependent on the type of house and scope of works

Home Addition Costs In South Carolina

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

With most projects there are usually some costs involved that don’t come top of mind when you start them. We outlined a few of the most common hidden costs when building a home and gave an approximate estimation of how much they may add up to.

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 it would be best to contact your HOA for actual figures.

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 will be working with a home construction budget of $278,598 for a 1,846 square foot home, it would be reasonable to spend around $28,000 on landscaping. 

Landscaping costs approximately: $28,000 lump sum

Driveway Costs

The cost for a plain concrete driveway installation in Arkansas ranges from $3.44 to $6.87 per square foot. An upgrade to concrete would be concrete pavements, which cost $9.14 to $17.68.

Driveway cost approximately: $3.44 – $17.68 per square foot

Perimeter Fence

Depending on the type of fence you wish to install, it could go as low as $15 and as high as $50 per linear foot. Perimeter fence options ranging from wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and concrete. 

Perimeter Fence approximately: $12 – $50 per linear foot.