Cost to Build a House in Raleigh, NC [2026 Data]

The cost to build a house in Raleigh, North Carolina, averages around $883,600, but it can range from $346,666 to $1,689,000. Raleigh is one of the more expensive places to build a home in North Carolina, with some plots of land costing over $200,000. The final cost to build a home in Raleigh, however, will depend on several factors, including the home's size, materials used, permit fees, and other considerations.

Home Building Cost Factors

Several variables influence the total cost of new home construction, including interior and exterior details, labor costs, and the overall size of the planned house.

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. The median home size in Raleigh, North Carolina is on the larger end—about 2,500 square feet—so if you choose to build a home close to that size, you should expect to spend between $300,000 and $400,000.

Cost of Land

Land is not inexpensive in Raleigh, and one acre starts at roughly $75,000. In areas where the land is near an established or desirable neighborhood, good schools, or critical infrastructure. In some of Raleigh’s ritzier neighborhoods—such as Boylan Heights, Five Points, and North Hills—you will find one-acre plots with prices as high as $200,000 or $300,000, and sometimes more. Factor in the cost of land when calculating the expenses behind your new home construction. 

Site Prep

Raleigh sits in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, which means it has a hilly terrain. This means that your land might need to be leveled and graded before a new foundation can be placed. Expect to spend between $1,500 and $10,000 on excavation, though this cost can be as high as $20,000 if you are building on an exceptionally steep lot.

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.

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.

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.

Land Survey and Utility Set Up

You may need a land survey before construction begins. Surveys cost between $400 to $1,800 on average and include marking property boundaries, utilities, foundations for the construction, and sometimes topographical information. If you need to connect utilities to your plot, expect to spend an average of $3,000 to connect the land to a sewer line or between $3,600 and $12,400 to install a septic system. To run an electrical line to your new home, you will spend an additional $12,250.

Home Building Pro Costs

A skilled general contractor will oversee the entire construction and hire the appropriate subcontractors to see your dream house become a reality. A home building expert in Raleigh will also understand the local permitting process and help you pull them. In addition, a pro should have the required licenses to perform the construction work—in North Carolina, a license is required for any home projects that are valued over $40,000. General liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage are also essential, and help protect you, your property, and the employees working on your home in the case of any damage or injury. General contractors will usually charge a “cost-plus” fee arrangement, which covers the cost of labor and materials plus a fee for the contractor's work—this fee usually comes out between 10% and 20% of the total project cost.

Permits

Permits are required for new home construction. Your plans will be reviewed, and if approved by members of the board, a permit will be issued. The permit fees for new residential construction are based on a percentage of the calculated construction value, and typically range from $500 to $3,000.

Building Designs

Hiring an architect is essential if you want your home to be fully customized. Whether you choose one of Raleigh’s most popular architectural styles—craftsman, colonial, and coastal—or buck the trends, an architect can help you realize all of your dreams. Expect to pay between $125 and $250 per hour for an architect, though many request a percentage of the total construction cost, typically somewhere between 5% and 15%, or between $16,000 and $48,000.

Site Cleanup

To ensure your home is in tip-top shape and ready for move-in, you might wish to hire a site cleanup crew. The cost to clean up a construction site ranges from $250 to $1,250 for a 2,500-square-foot home or between $0.10 and $0.50 per square foot. Note that some home building teams will include basic cleanup, but it likely won’t be as thorough a job as you’d like before you start to decorate your brand new space.

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

Depending on your new construction’s needs, you might need to hire a range of professionals. Here are the most common experts hired for new home construction and their average fees:

• Draftsperson costs: $75–$125 per hour

• Foundation contractor costs: $4,000–$14,700

• House framer costs: $1,400–$7,700

• Plumber costs: $45–$200 per hour

• Electrician costs: $50–$100 per hour

• HVAC technician costs: $5,000–$12,500

• Roofer costs: $5,900–$13,200

Is Building a New House Worth It?

Can’t decide whether to build vs. buy a house? In most states, purchasing an existing home is less expensive than building a home, but in Raleigh, recent data shows that building a home could be $30,000 less costly than buying a new property. Building a new home is exciting if you’re keen to customize your space and install energy-efficient windows and other features, which will save you money on your monthly bills. You will also have fewer maintenance costs for the first few years. That said, there is a time investment—building a new home can take nine months or longer.

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 survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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. 

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