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How Much Does It Cost to Build a Beach House in 2025?

Typical Range:

$250,000 - $1,050,000

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated November 12, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

New beach house builds average around $450,000, although some homes can cost as low as $250,000 or reach or exceed $1 million.
Different types of beach houses, such as condos or single-family homes, influence building costs and ongoing expenses.
Beach houses require specific materials and designs to ensure durability against coastal climates.
Some builds incorporate specialized features like elevated foundations, seawalls, and beach pathways.

Building a new beach house usually costs between $250,000 and $1,050,000, with most projects averaging about $450,000. Coastal regions carry unique challenges that influence the typical costs of new construction, such as materials, outdoor structures, and more.

Average Cost to Build a Beach House

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$450,000	$1,050,000	$250,000

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Cost Factors for Building a Beach House

New home builds involve numerous cost factors that affect the final expense. Builder and contractor rates, the type of home, materials, labor, and other factors are the main considerations influencing the cost range of your beach house.

Home Type

Beach houses come in various forms that affect total costs. Whether cottages, bungalows, or Mediterranean mansions, stand-alone homes generally cost more than condos or townhomes. Beach homes offer several advantages, including greater customization options, private outdoor space, and more square footage overall compared to condos and townhomes. However, they may also have higher maintenance and insurance costs.

While condos and townhomes don’t offer the same privacy or generous space as a single-family home, they typically come with numerous amenities and often include maintenance. Keep in mind that these developments often have Homeowners Association Fees, which range from $100 to $1,000 per month and average $200 to $300 per month.

Materials

Beach homes require specific materials that can withstand the moisture, corrosion, and harsh weather conditions of coastal climates. Standard or low-quality building materials may rot, corrode, and threaten the structural integrity and longevity of a beach home.

For example, stucco, cedar, and fiber cement are common siding materials that range from $5 to $15 per square foot. Metal roofing is popular among beach homes due to its durability against strong winds, saltwater, and UV radiation. Other durable materials include bamboo, reclaimed wood, composite decking, and vinyl. Quality, local availability, and other factors affect the prices of coastal building materials.

Size

Size is a relatively straightforward cost factor. Greater square footage generally correlates with higher costs, with small homes costing as little as $100,000 and large homes up to $1.5 million or more. A 1,500-square-foot beach house averages $450,000, but layout, number of stories, roof design, and other factors may influence these costs.

Number of Bedrooms	Square Feet	Average Cost Range
2	1,000	$100,000–$500,000
3	1,500	$150,000–$750,000
4	1,750	$175,000–$875,000
5	2,000	$200,000–$1,000,000
6	2,500+	$220,000–$1,500,000+

Location

Location influences other home-building cost factors, such as material availability and contractor rates. Coastal regions carry different property values. For example, popular or luxurious areas in California and Florida have median home prices of up to $6 million, while affordable areas have median property values between $165,000 and $425,000.

Waterfront access, rental potential, and distance from tourist amenities may influence prices. Florida and other areas are more prone to extreme weather conditions that may influence insurance rates, affecting your total costs.

Labor

Labor represents about 40% of total home-building expenses. For example, with a $500,000 project, about $200,000 goes to labor. General contractors typically charge between 10% and 20% of the total project. They usually have a team of general laborers and specialty trades workers, such as plumbers and electricians, but they may hire subcontractors that add to total costs.

Other major labor costs stem from architectural and design services. Pre-designed home options are usually more affordable, but opting for custom design plans, an interior designer, and other customization adds to the expense.

Your general contractor may build these costs into the project estimate, depending on their fee structure. Regardless, the final expense may vary considerably from the initial estimate depending on unforeseen complications.

Contractor	Average Cost Range
General Contractor	10%–20% of project cost
Architect	8%–20% of project cost
Structural Engineer	$2,000–$8,500
Plumber	$50–$200 per hour
Electrician	$50–$120 per hour
HVAC Technician	$100–$250 per hour

General Construction

New home construction averages between $150 and $300 per square foot. Expect higher costs for coastal homes with specialized materials and design, about $150 to $700 per square foot.

In general, new home construction costs break down into the following categories:

Construction Type	Average Cost Range
Interior Finishes	$50,000–$175,000
Exterior Finishes	$25,000–$60,000
Site Prep	$1,500–$6,000
Foundation	$5,000–$111,000
Roof	$5,860–$47,000
Framing	$20,000–$50,000
Home Systems	$13,500–$64,500
Furnishing and Decor	$20,000–$80,000
Site Cleanup	$250–$1,250

Coastal Features

Given the unique challenges of coastal living, certain features are recommended for beach homes. For example, beach homes often require elevated foundations using pilings, piers, stilts, or concrete block walls and add $10,000 to $30,000 to the total cost. Seawalls help protect properties from flooding and erosion and range from $15,000 to $60,000. Hurricane shutters average $3,700, and hurricane windows cost about $6,000.

Other Beach House Cost Factors

Coastal areas have certain characteristics that may influence other beach house construction costs.

Exterior Elements

Exterior elements affect the functionality and aesthetics of your outdoor space, and coastal environments may have specific considerations. Beach homes employ landscaping strategies that use salt-tolerant plants and irrigation systems to help manage soil quality and erosion. Removing invasive species and planting native shrubs and other plants is often best for lowering maintenance and stabilizing soil. Landscaping costs about $70 to $150 per hour, with most projects averaging $8,200.

In addition to other hardscaping, incorporating pathways or stairs to the beach can improve the accessibility and enjoyment of the space. Creating walkways from stone or other durable materials also provides a dedicated path, preventing erosion and wear on your property.

Permits

New home construction projects require permits before proceeding to avoid fines, failed inspections, or unsalvageable work. Building permits range from $150 to $2,000, depending on local building codes, regulations, the size of your home, and added features. Garages, patios, grading, utility hookups, and demolition may require additional permits.

Customizations

Building a new home offers opportunities for customizations not found in standard developments. For example, solar panels offer long-term energy efficiency benefits and average $27,100 to install. Other popular add-ons include smart home technology, outdoor kitchens, and rainwater harvesting systems.

Other Structures

Additional structures can add value, functionality, and enjoyment to your beach home. A garage protects your vehicles and other items from harsh weather conditions, while an in-ground pool with a deck enhances gathering areas.

Consider these other costs:

Structure	Average Cost Range
Driveway	$600–$23,000
In-Ground Pool	$44,400–$87,000
Garage	$16,800–$42,100
Dock	$3,800–$26,300
Deck	$4,300–$12,500
Fencing	$1,800–$4,700

Homeowners Insurance

Standard homeowners insurance covers regular incidents, such as fire or theft, but may not include protection from hurricane or flooding damage. Some homeowners insurance policies won’t cover beach homes because coastal areas are subject to higher risks associated with flooding and storms. Flood insurance or coastal home insurance policies may cover these gaps, but they generally carry higher premiums than standard insurance.

Ongoing Costs

Beach home maintenance is often more involved and costly than other homes. Even with proper building materials, coastal conditions may eventually deteriorate certain elements with corrosion, water damage, and mold. In addition to consistent upkeep, inspections, and repairs after storms help minimize ongoing maintenance and repair costs.

Build a Beach House vs. Renovating

Many homeowners opt to renovate rather than build a brand-new beach house, and this choice depends on several factors. Budget is a key consideration. Building a new home is a major expense, but renovation costs can be comparable if the existing home has structural problems or building code violations and generally needs more involved work than just cosmetic projects.

A new home often allows for customizations that are more expensive to incorporate in remodeling projects. Otherwise, newer or well-maintained homes may only need cosmetic changes or added features to match your needs and preferences.

Most importantly, consider your long-term plans for your home. Building a new home is a major commitment that may take longer than straightforward renovations due to permits and construction timelines, while renovations can be completed in stages over time. That said, a new build offers superior design flexibility for everything from square footage to countertops, and it may prove more cost-effective over your lifetime.

Budgeting for Building a Beach House

Whether you’re making a permanent move, using it as your family’s vacation home, or renting to visitors, building a beach house is one of the biggest investments you can make. While many costs influence the bottom line, these strategies may help streamline your budget:

Opt for simple, efficient floor plans, standard door and window dimensions, and stock home designs.
Use materials that balance affordability with durability against coastal elements.
Invest in energy-efficient materials, appliances, and systems to benefit from long-term savings.
Get multiple contractor quotes to find the most competitive pricing.
Explore grants, incentives, and loans that favor energy-efficient home builds.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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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FAQs

How does a beach house’s style or design affect final costs?

The home design itself can affect the final cost. For example, ranch-style homes often cost less because they typically use simple designs. Mid-century modern homes feature open floor plans and large windows that beach houses often favor but may have greater customization costs.

How long does it take to build a beach house?

Accounting for the planning and design phases, site preparation and foundation, framing, roughing-in, and finishes, average beach house construction timelines range from six months to over a year. The actual time depends on design complexity, size, permitting, and other factors. Contractor availability, storms, and other conditions may extend the timeline.

How can I improve the energy efficiency of my beach house?

Beach houses are often located in areas that receive consistent sunlight throughout the year and may benefit from solar panel systems. Other energy efficiency strategies include installing high-quality insulation, energy-efficient HVAC equipment, and smart home systems that monitor and regulate energy usage.