Q: How much does it cost to hire a home builder?

• <div>On average, the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-build-house.htm">cost of a home builder</a> is about $150 per square foot, but that price can range from around $100 to $400 per square foot or more. That puts the typical price range of a standard, 2,000-square-foot house between $200,000 and $800,000. Some factors that affect the price of hiring a home builder include the following:<ul><li>Location of your home and the living cost in the area</li><li>Type of foundation and framing you choose</li><li>Quality of the building materials</li><li>Footprint and layout of the house</li><li>Number of stories</li><li>Builder&rsquo;s experience</li></ul></div>

Question 1

What is the most affordable house to build per square foot?

Accepted Answer

•

Ranch and colonial-style homes are often the most affordable to build. They have a common layout with available designs that are easy to adjust in simple ways without having to spend too much on a structural engineer or architect. Both types of homes' symmetry, simple roofs, and often one or two-story plans mean they often fall in the $150 to $200 square-foot range, putting them right around average.

Question 2

How long does a green home take to build?

Accepted Answer

•

The average build timeline for a home is between six and 12 months, with timelines pushing toward the upper end of that range if you’re creating a custom design or need a lot of land preparation before getting started. Hiring a general contractor or a custom homebuilder will help speed up the process, as you’ll see fewer delays between different parts of the build process getting done.

Question 3

Should a home builder or contractor be licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

•

Yes, a home builder or contractor should have the proper licensing and insurance. Licensing requirements vary by state and municipality, but most states mandate that a builder holds at least a general contractor’s license. For specialized work such as plumbing, electrical, roofing, or sewage systems, individual licenses may be required, in which case the builder may subcontract the work. You can use Angi’s state licensing tool to review your local guidelines and confirm a builder's credentials. As you browse professionals, you can also look for the “Angi Certified” badge. This indicates the business meets our certification standards, which include passing a criminal background check, holding applicable state and local licenses, and maintaining an average rating of 3.0 or better.

Question 4

How much does it cost to hire a home builder?

Accepted Answer

•

On average, the cost of a home builder is about $150 per square foot, but that price can range from around $100 to $400 per square foot or more. That puts the typical price range of a standard, 2,000-square-foot house between $200,000 and $800,000. Some factors that affect the price of hiring a home builder include the following:

Location of your home and the living cost in the area
Type of foundation and framing you choose
Quality of the building materials
Footprint and layout of the house
Number of stories
Builder’s experience

Location of your home and the living cost in the area
Type of foundation and framing you choose
Quality of the building materials
Footprint and layout of the house
Number of stories
Builder’s experience

Question 5

What is a green home and what does it include?

Accepted Answer

•

A green home is one that focuses on conservation, with the goal often being net-zero carbon emissions and self-sustainability. It will often include some kind of self-generation equipment, like solar panels or a small wind turbine, high-efficiency electrical components and mechanicals, and high-quality insulation and air sealing to reduce the loss of conditioned air. Many green homes also include xeriscaping or rainwater collection to cut down on drainage and water consumption.