The cost to build a brick house is high, but the aesthetic and durability can be well worth the investment if you’re looking for something unique.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Los Angeles, CA? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $83,041 - $611,470
The average cost to build a house in Los Angeles, CA, is $342,270, and most projects total between $83,041 and $611,470. A pro will factor in location, material quality, home size, and more.
How we get this data
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Cost Insights
The bigger your home, the more it’ll cost to build.
Stucco is a common exterior choice because it performs well in Los Angeles’ climate.
Permits, labor, and inspections all add to the final cost, so they should be factored into the project budget.
Building a house in Los Angeles costs about $342,270 on average, with most projects falling between $83,041 and $611,470. What you’ll actually spend comes down to the size of the home, the materials you choose inside and out, and city requirements like permits, plan checks, and inspections. This guide breaks down these and a variety of other factors so you can plan accordingly for your new build.
Home Building Cost Factors
In Los Angeles, CA, the price of new construction depends on the home’s square footage and the type of foundation. Design decisions, like interior and exterior finishes, also play a major role in the cost, with many homeowners opting for materials that balance style with durability in Southern California’s warm, dry climate.
Square Footage
The cost to build a custom home can range anywhere from $100 to $500 per square foot, with the average sitting right around $150 per square foot. The higher end of this range accounts for building luxury homes or homes in large cities. The size and type of house you choose will also affect what you’ll pay.
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $150,000 | $100,000–$500,000 |
| 1,500 | $225,000 | $150,000–$750,000 |
| 1,750 | $262,500 | $175,000–$875,000 |
| 2,000 | $300,000 | $200,000–$1,000,000 |
| 2,200 | $330,000 | $220,000–$1,100,000 |
| 3,000 | $450,000 | $300,000–$1,500,000 |
Number of Bedrooms
It’s helpful to have an idea of the total construction cost based on the number of bedrooms, since that will likely be the first thing you decide. You can expect to pay $100,000 to $120,000 per bedroom. Note that the added cost comes from not only the additional square footage for the bedroom but also larger living spaces, additional bathrooms, and utilities to support additional occupants. The average home in the U.S. today is 2,200 to 2,500 square feet and has three bedrooms.
Here are the new construction home costs based on the number of bedrooms at the average price of $150 per square foot.
| Bedrooms | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $110,000 | $100,000–$120,000 |
| 2 | $220,000 | $200,000–$240,000 |
| 3 | $330,000 | $300,000–$360,000 |
| 4 | $440,000 | $400,000–$480,000 |
| 5 | $550,000 | $500,000–$600,000 |
Foundation Type
The cost of your foundation will come down to where you live, the soil conditions, and the type of foundation that’s best for your home.
Unless you’re well-versed in construction, you’ll probably want to lean on a structural engineer to help you determine the correct foundation type and inspect the foundation after its completion.
| Foundation Type | Average Cost (Sq. Ft.) | Cost Range (2,000 sq. ft.) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basement | $30–$55 | $60,000–$110,000 | Provides extra living space; can add resale appeal | Rare in Los Angeles; very expensive to build; earthquake retrofitting required |
| Crawl Space | $8–$20 | $16,000–$40,000 | Easier access for utilities; can raise the home off ground level on hills and uneven lots | Susceptible to damage from shifting soils and earthquakes; requires moisture and pest management |
| Concrete Slab | $7–$16 | $14,000–$32,000 | Most common in Los Angeles; affordable and fast to install; minimal upkeep | Can crack in drought-prone clay soils and seismic zones |
| Brick/Cinder Block | $11–$24 | $22,000–$48,000 | Common in older Los Angeles homes; durable when maintained | Mortar joints are vulnerable to cracking during earthquakes; more prone to settlement issues in shifting soils |
Exterior Finishes
Exterior finishes, from the siding to the shingles on your roof, will account for $25,000 to $60,000 of your overall home-building costs. You and your team will have a lot of decisions to make depending on the exterior style you’re going for and the best options for your local climate, among other factors. Things like high-end roofing materials and gutters will increase your cost but also provide a greater ROI.
| Exterior Finish | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Siding | $10–$36 per sq. ft. |
| Roofing | $9–$20 per sq. ft. |
| Exterior Trim | $14–$25 per linear ft. |
| Stucco | $12–$18 per sq. ft. |
| Gutters | $8–$45 per linear ft. |
Interior Finishes
Moving on to the interior work of your home is an exciting phase. This stage is the moment to determine the flooring, the paint colors, and all appliances and home systems that make your house a home. Assume you'll pay between $50,000 and $175,000 for all interior finishes.
The higher cost range accounts for more complex and sought-after materials. These include everything from insulation with higher R-values to beautiful marble countertops. Nearly every category, however, offers options for all budget preferences.
| Interior Finish | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Flooring | $6–$30 per sq. ft. |
| Painting | $6–$10 per sq. ft. |
| Countertops | $16–$250 per sq. ft. |
| Interior Trim | $2–$3 per linear ft. |
| Interior Doors | $150–$900 each |
Home Building Pro Costs
Hiring a home builder in LA involves more than labor rates alone. Beyond the hourly fees, you’ll also need to budget for things like city permits, taxes, and insurance and licensing requirements.
Labor
General contractors often charge between 15% and 20% of the total build cost to manage the project and coordinate tradespeople. You’ll also likely need to pay for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC crews, which often charge $125 to $200 an hour. And labor prices can climb even higher on hillside lots, in tight urban areas with access restrictions, and when earthquake reinforcement is required, since these all add time and complexity to the project.
Permits
Before any work starts, new home construction requires a permit from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LABDS). Permit costs are tied to the value and scope of the project, but even a straightforward single-family home permit usually costs $1,200 to $5,000, with larger or more complex builds often landing between $5,000 and $10,000 or more. Homes on hillsides or projects that need zoning variances, grading, or seismic reviews can also increase your costs. And because of LADBS’ strict reviews for earthquake safety and energy efficiency codes, the permit approval process can stretch both the budget and timeline.
Licensing and Insurance
Contractors building new homes need to be licensed through the California Contractors State License Board. A Class B license covers general building work, but plumbers, electricians, and HVAC crews need their own trade licenses as well. Every subcontractor on the job has to be properly licensed for the work they do, and licensing fees are often factored into the prices you pay.
In addition, contractors with employees need workers’ compensation insurance, and most carry liability insurance to cover accidents or damage. Always make sure to check that licenses and insurance are current before you sign a contract since these safeguards protect you if something goes wrong during the building process.
Taxes
California’s base sales tax rate is 7.25%, but in Los Angeles it climbs to just over 9%. Contractors pay that tax when they purchase building materials, so it’s baked into the price you’re quoted. Once the home is complete, the county reassesses the property at its new market value. That means if the land was taxed at a lower rate before, your property tax bill will increase to reflect the full value of the newly finished house.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
A general contractor oversees the build, but you’ll still need licensed specialists for things like plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and structural work. Their fees are separate from the main contract and add to the overall cost of the project.
Draftsperson costs: $125–$175 per hour
Foundation contractor costs: $6,000–$17,000
House framer costs: $1,800–$10,000
Plumber costs: $125–$200 per hour
Electrician costs: $125–$175 per hour
HVAC technician costs: $8,000–$20,000
Roofer costs: $8,000–$18,000
Is Building a New House Worth It?
Home values in Los Angeles don’t usually skyrocket overnight, but they hold steady and often grow over time, especially in desirable neighborhoods. But the bigger payoff of a new build often comes from living in a modern, low-maintenance house that meets the city’s current seismic and energy codes and is tailored to how you want to use the space. Things like high-efficiency systems and better insulation make the home more comfortable day to day, in addition to making it more attractive to future buyers.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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