How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Ohio?

How big of a home do you need?

Obviously, the size of your home plays a huge role in the overall cost of building a house. Whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, it’s important to assess your living space needs now and in the future. Larger homes require more materials and labor, contributing to higher building costs and higher homeowners insurance premiums.

As we mentioned, a typical Ohio home is about 1,620 square feet, so we’ll use this average size in some of our cost breakdowns. For comparison, the national average home size in the U.S. is 2,233 square feet. Home sizes have steadily increased over the centuries but dipped slightly in recent years, according to U.S. Census data.

Additionally, the average number of people living in a home has decreased as home sizes have increased. A seasoned real estate agent can provide expert insights to help you determine the best home size for your needs.

At-a-glance breakdown: Cost to build a house in Ohio

Here is an at-a-glance look at the average costs of each phase of building in Ohio, but we will break it all down next:

Building Phase	Average cost (2024)
Foundation	$9,413
Framing	$14,000 – $32,000
Roof	$9,413
Siding	$10,750
Appliances	$10,875
HVAC System	$7,000
Plumbing System	$4,080
Electrical System	$4,860 to $8,100
Building Permits	$1,658
Finishes and Fixtures	$42,000 – $175,000

A rough percentage breakdown of the overall costs of building a home will look like this:

• Labor: 40%
• Materials: 50%
• Administrative, design, and permit costs: 10%

It’s a good idea to have a 20% buffer in your budget for unexpected expenses.

A closer look: Cost to build a house in Ohio

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 Ohio price ranges we’re providing are general estimates. Your real estate agent and, eventually, your builder can give you more specific pricing information.

Land (varies by location and plot size)

Whether you’re buying a developed lot in Ohio or untouched land, the property plays a big role in the overall cost of building a house. The cost to purchase a lot varies significantly depending on the size and location of the land. You may pay as little as $3,000 or as much as $150,000 or more.

According to Zippia, an acre of land in Ohio costs an average of $69,600. The median lot size in Ohio is about 10,019 square feet, a little less than a quarter of an acre.

The amount of lot preparation required also needs to be calculated into your building costs, which HomeAdvisor estimates between $1,300 and $5,100. These expenses can include expenses such as soil testing, land excavation, grading, and surveyor fees.

Foundation ($4,062 – $14,804)

Foundation costs will vary depending on whether you’re pouring a slab or digging a basement, but a typical price range is between $4,062 – $14,804. It should be noted that the ideal basement humidity level is 30%-50%. Ohio’s average humidity level is 69%.

Framing ($14,000 – $32,000)

Framing is when the wood goes up, and your home’s structure starts to take shape. For full-house Framing, expect to pay between $14,000 and $32,000 for this phase of building a house in Ohio. Framing costs vary due to the size of the home and the complexity of its design. For example, a one-story home with 2,000 square feet of living space will be less expensive to frame than a two-story home with the same square footage.

Roof ($5,853 – $13,107)

Whether you’re putting a new roof on a new house or replacing an existing roof, this can be a hefty investment. The cost of a new roof typically ranges from $5,853 to $13,107. Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing type in Ohio. They are also the most affordable roofing option, at around $1 to $2 per square foot (not including installation), with tile roofing being more expensive, costing around $8 to $25 per square foot.

Siding ($5,400 to $16,000)

Siding can be another big variable. You have many options to choose from, including vinyl, wood, brick, concrete, stone, stucco, and more. Siding costs range between $5,400 and $16,000, with an average of $10,750. Vinyl or engineered wood siding typically costs between $3 and $12 per square foot.

Appliances ($10,875)

Appliance pricing for your Ohio home also varies widely. Depending on brand, functionality, finish, and efficiency levels, you’ll typically spend an average of $10,875. However, according to HomeAdvisor, you can drop up to $24,400 or more to purchase smart appliances and other high-end models.

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. A typical range you can expect is $5,000 to $10,000, or about $25 to $60 per square foot of coverage.

Plumbing system ($2,280 – $5,120)

Plumbing can cost an average of $2,280 – $5,120, not including fixtures like sinks and toilets. Homeguide estimates you’ll pay $450 to $1,800 per fixture.

Electrical system ($4,860 to $8,100)

The cost to wire a house is $3 to $5 per square foot. For an average 1,620-square-foot Ohio home, this will cost between $4,860 to $8,100.

Building permits (Variable)

Permits vary by state, city, and county. They typically range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. In Ohio, permit costs to build a single-family home are based on the project’s valuation or calculated total construction cost.

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

Home finishes and fixtures comprise everything from countertops and sinks to lighting and flooring. Pricing varies widely and depends heavily on the levels of quality and your personal preferences.

For example, carpet installation costs go up or down based on the number of rooms you want to be covered and the type of carpet you want installed. Materials and installation for a 500-square-foot area can range between $1,750 and $5,500. Hardwood flooring installation starts at around $2,500 and goes up to $7,000.

Laminate countertops range from $842 to $1,733, while nicer granite countertops average from $2,250 to $4,500.

Depending on the size of your home and the quality of the finishes, this phase can account for a significant portion of the cost of building a house in Ohio.

Additional costs to build a custom house in Ohio

Building a custom home usually comes with additional costs because it’s, well, custom. This is another area where a top Ohio real estate agent can help you determine more accurate costs. But we’ll provide some average cost figures to give you an idea of what to expect.

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

According to HomeAdvisor, architect fees are between 5% and 20% of the total project cost. So, for our 1,620-square-foot home with a build cost of $234,900, that could mean anywhere from $11,745 to $46,980.

Land survey ($376 – $768)

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 typically 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, you can expect to pay between $20,000 and $50,000 to clear the land, run utilities, and put in a driveway. The material you choose for your driveway can also impact your final costs.

More affordable options to build a house in Ohio

When building a home, cheaper isn’t always better. Shoddy work and poor-quality materials will inevitably lead to problems down the road. Discovering a leaky roof or inadequate insulation can be expensive and frustrating. There’s value in creating a home you genuinely want and enjoy — not just one you’re settling for.

Let’s take a quick look at a few alternative home-building options.

Tiny homes ($30,000 – $60,000)

A tiny home is a house that’s typically 600 square feet or less in size. For smaller families and couples, these affordable alternatives can be ideal. They can also be a great starter home option. On average, tiny homes cost between $30,000 and $60,000 to build.

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

A modular or prefab home is another option you might consider. Modular homebuilding typically costs between $180,000 and $360,000. Here again, research local laws and subdivision rules. You may encounter deed restrictions or HOA regulations in an area that calls for site-built homes.

Weighing the cost to build a house in Ohio?

Building a home takes patience, understanding, and flexibility—both with your budget and timing. In Ohio, a new house can be built in seven to nine months for a tract home and 18 to 24 months for a custom-built home.

As you consider the time and expense involved in building a house in Ohio, HomeLight encourages you to consult with an agent who has experience with new construction homes and the homebuilding process.

When hiring an agent, ask how many new construction transactions they have completed. Ask if they’re familiar with the local builders and the different neighborhoods in your selected city.

Whether you’re looking to build custom or on a developed lot — or if you’d like to buy an existing home — a top-ranked agent can help you get there. Homelight can connect you to the highest-rated agents in your desired Ohio market.

How much home can you afford? Try HomeLight’s Home Affordability Calculator to better understand the costs associated with buying a home. You can also check out our Down Payment Calculator.

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