Here’s the Average Cost to Build a House in Beautiful Michigan

Cost to build a house in Michigan in 2024

No matter which state you’re in, the steps involved in building a house will vary depending on whether you’re buying a tract home — which is when a builder has bought a large tract of land to divide into lots and build out several homes — or if you’re building a custom home.

Keep in mind that the price ranges we’re providing are general estimates. Your agent and, eventually, your builder can give you more specific pricing information.

Buying a plot of land ($6,400 per acre)

The USDA’s land values report for 2023 — which evaluates farmland real estate values — indicates that Michigan’s average value per acre was $6,400 in 2023, which is a 9.4% increase over 2022’s land value of $5,850 per acre.

Now, if you’re looking to build a single family home in the suburbs, the price of farmland probably doesn’t seem relevant. But, these numbers do provide a baseline for managing expectations, and working with an experienced real estate agent will help you fill in more specific pricing gaps based on your specific location and lot size needs.

Foundation ($4,049 – $14,755)

Foundation costs will vary depending on whether you’re pouring a slab or digging a basement, but a typical price range is between $4,049 and $14,755.

Framing ($14,000 – $32,000)

Framing is when the sticks go up, and a structure actually starts to take shape. Expect to pay between $14,000 and $32,000 for this phase of building a house in Michigan. Framing costs tend to vary due to both the size of the home and the complexity of its design — a one-story home with 2,000 square feet of living space will generally be less expensive to frame than a two-story home with the same square footage.

Roof ($5,855 – $13,116)

Roofing doesn’t come cheap — whether putting one on a new house or replacing the roof on an existing home. The costs of a new roof typically range from $5,855 to $13,116. Asphalt shingles are the most affordable roofing option, at around $1 to $3 per square foot, with tile roofing being more expensive, costing around $8 to $25 per square foot.

Siding ($5,000 – $14,000)

Siding is another big variable: Are we talking vinyl, wood, brick, concrete, stone, stucco, or something else entirely? Siding costs range between $5,000 and $14,000, with vinyl or engineered wood siding typically costing between $3 and $12 per square foot.

Appliances ($10,875)

Appliance pricing also varies widely. Depending on brand, functionality, finish, and so on, you’ll spend an average of $10,875 if the home does not come with any, but you can drop up to $24,400 or more on high-end appliances.

HVAC system ($12,500)

The installation of a new heating and cooling system could cost upwards of $12,500, depending on the size of your home.

Plumbing system ($2,280 – $5,120)

Plumbing can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 on average — not including fixtures like sinks and toilets.

Electrical system ($2,400 – $4,000)

The cost to wire a house is, on average, between $2,400 to $4,000.

Building permits (Variable)

Permits vary by state, city, and county, but they typically range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. In Michigan, permit costs to build single-family homes are based on the project’s calculated “total construction cost.”

Finishes and fixtures ($42,000 – $175,000)

Finishes and fixtures comprise everything from countertops to sinks and lighting to flooring. Pricing varies widely and depends heavily on your preferences.

Average carpet installation costs can start at several hundred dollars and go up to $3,000, while hardwood flooring installation starts at around $2,500 up to $7,000.

Laminate countertops range from $840 to $1,732, while granite averages from $2,250 to $4,500.

Depending on the size of your home and the quality of finishes, this can be a large portion of the cost of building a house in Michigan.

Additional costs of building a custom house in Michigan

Building a custom home usually comes with additional costs. Again, your agent can help you determine more accurate costs — these are average figures provided to give you an idea.

Hiring an architect ($18,750 – $75,000)

Architect fees fall between 5% and 20% of the total project cost, according to HomeAdvisor. So, for the 1,500-square-foot home with a build cost of $375,000, that could mean anywhere from $18,750 to $75,000.

Land survey ($375 – $475)

Land surveys, which identify your property lines and land features, range between $376 and $768.

Excavation and grading ($20,000 – $50,000)

If you’re buying a tract home, the land price will be rolled into the overall price to build a home. If you’re buying a lot on your own and then building a custom home, Brokaw says you can expect to pay between $20,000 and $50,000 to clear the land, run utilities, and put in a driveway.

More affordable options for building a home in Michigan

While going with a bare-bones building strategy can get you into a new construction home for less, cheaper isn’t always better. Shoddy build quality will inevitably lead to problems down the road — anything from a leaky roof to poor sound insulation can be a frustrating discovery when you’ve only been in your new home for a few months — and there’s value in creating a home you genuinely want, not just one you’re settling for.

Alternative home-building options can give you more for your money and offer valuable flexibility during the construction process.

Tiny homes ($30,000 – $60,000)

A tiny house is usually 600 square feet or less in size. They’re not ideal for large families, but building a tiny house can be faster and more affordable than a conventional home if a smaller space fits with your lifestyle. They can also be a great starter home option, especially as construction of starter homes (homes smaller than 1,400 square feet) has declined in Michigan. On average, tiny homes cost between $30,000 and $60,000 to build.

In Genesee County, Brokaw says tiny homes aren’t especially popular, but they’re increasingly on people’s radar.

“We have a national builder who just came into this area, and they would have, by far, the lowest cost houses,” says Brokaw. “But every single one of their houses has the exact same finishes inside — you can’t even pick your paint color, even if you’re willing to pay extra. Their prices are roughly $140 per square foot.”

Modular and prefabricated homes ($180,000 – $360,000)

In Brokaw’s market, modular homes are not common — largely because deed restrictions and HOA regulations in the area call for site-built homes. That said, in general, modular homebuilding tends to cost between $180,000 and $360,000.

It’s pricey, but it’s worth it to build a home in Michigan

Brokaw warns that between labor shortages and supply chain delays, building a new home in Genesee County right now can take seven to nine months for a tract home, or nine months up to two years for a custom-built home.

However, she believes it’s still worth the time and money if you’re interested in building a new home.

“It’s still a great thing for people to do. There’s peace of mind in knowing that every single thing in the house is new — it’s a wonderful thing,” Brokaw says. “It’s just something you need to be prepared for and think through, especially if you’re doing a custom product.”

Brokaw encourages buyers to work closely with an agent who has experience with new construction homes and the homebuilding process.

“Ask how many new construction transactions they have; ask if they have personal experience with new construction,” urges Brokaw. “Ask if they’re familiar with the builders in the area and the different neighborhoods — different builders have different levels of quality.”

Finally, Brokaw wants buyers to remember that a project like this requires patience, understanding, and flexibility — both with price and timing.

“The timeframe you were quoted will probably not stick,” she cautions, “and you need to be prepared that your quoted price point could also change if the builder runs into problems, or if you decide you want to change or upgrade something along the way.”

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