What is the average cost per square foot for building a house in California?

Answer 1

A very ordinary house in California will cost about $200 per square foot. There are much more expensive custom built houses out there.

The dominant factor in home prices in California is usually the land price. It is significantly greater than the price of the house in some cases. That's what happens when 36 million people move into one state.

A very ordinary lot of about 2/3 acre near this answerer is for sale for 1.4 million dollars. That's over $2 million per acre. My 1/6 acre lot would be worth over $300,000. Add a 2000 square foot house and a few extras and you get a final price of about $750,000.

Answer 2

First, an average is somewhat hard to determine with costs fluctuating so drastically at this time.

Second there are several places to look. However, you must know what you are looking for.

I use A table for basing permit fees that uses last years numbers. In order to use the table you must know how many square feet, the type of construction and the occupancy(s).

For instance if you have a 3000 sf single family dwelling in California, using Type VB construction.

SF = 3000

Type of Construction = VB

Single Family Dwelling = R3

California Multiplier = 1.0

Building Valuation Data Multiplier = 95.91

BVD x SF x Cal =

95.91 x 3000 x 1.0 = $287,730 as building valuation

First you must know the information and I can help better. Next you must realize that this is just an estimate, and that real costs can vary greatly. This does not include lot. This is usually short of actual costs. I does however work for permitting purposes.

The above description is actually building cost valuation, and is considered in reference to what the city or county values your project at, and sometimes has nothing to do with the actual construction costs.

The construction costs varies between areas and cities, and depends on the finishes and the details, particularly. You will not use the same finishes and details in the average house in Beverly Hills, as to an average house in Van Nuys, and they are only three miles apart......

Therefore the average constructions costs varies from city to city. They start at around $160/sq ft up to $500/sq ft or more. This is for new construction!! Does not apply to remodels and additions, because the variables are too great.

Answer 3

I've been shopping around and average is about $300,000.00- 400,000 in ugly L.A

Answer 4

The cost of living in California is high compared to other parts of the nation. Average home prices in California are $400,000.

Answer 5

The really cheap ones, like "uglier" ones range between 300,000 to 400,000

Answer 6

1200 to 1500

Answer 7

$573,000

Answer 8

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