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

Average Cost to Build a House in Florida

Cost Factors for Building a House in Florida

Many of the biggest cost factors that affect how much it costs to build a house in Florida involve size, like total square footage and the number of bedrooms. Other factors impacting the total cost include location, hurricane-proofing, permits, and more. Local custom home builders can explain these options so you can make an informed decision.

Cost by Square Footage

The average cost to build a new house in Florida ranges between $90 and $165 per square foot. The exact cost depends on the architectural layout, materials, and other considerations. Most newly constructed houses in Florida are usually between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet. 

Number of Stories

Houses with two or more stories cost more to build overall than one-story houses. However, multi-story houses are more cost-efficient because they require less land, foundation, and roofing for the same square footage as a single-story house. 

Number of Bedrooms

The typical new house in Florida has two to four bedrooms. More bedrooms imply more square footage, translating to higher total project costs. Here’s a breakdown of the average costs to build a house in Florida based on the number of bedrooms:

Materials

Materials make up about 50% of the total cost to build a house. Budget between $135,000 and $280,000, or an average of $150,000 for materials when building a new house in Florida, plus up to 20% for overage and wastage. Common house-building materials include lumber, concrete, drywall, flooring, siding, insulation, and roofing.

Location

Building homes in areas with a higher cost of living is more expensive. For example, if you’re planning on building a home in a bigger city like Miami, Tampa, or Orlando, expect to pay more per square foot than if you were building a home in a rural location with a lower cost of living. Local availability of materials can also affect your total cost.

Cost by Type

Based on architectural specifications and materials, new construction homes fall into three main categories: luxury, average, and minimum standard. Each type of house costs a different amount of money to build.

• Luxury homes: $150 (and up) per sq. ft. They have high-quality material specifications for 90% of their main elements, including flooring, walls, and internal wall finishes.

• Average homes: $110 per sq. ft. The walls, floors, finishes, roofing, and other elements of this type of house are made with mid-quality materials, which makes them less expensive to build than luxury houses.

• Minimum standard homes: $60 per sq. ft. The superstructure of these homes is of standard quality, but the floor, wall finishes, and roof cover are on the cheaper side. This is typically the cheapest type of house to build.

Cost by Style

The cost of building a home in Florida varies widely depending on the style. Common options include modular, Mediterranean, and ranch-style homes. 

Modular Homes

The average cost to build a modular home is about $180,000 to $360,000, depending on the size and complexity of the house. Modular houses are generally less expensive than traditional homes because they require less labor and customization. They are built almost to completion in a factory and then shipped to their final destination. 

Mediterranean-Style Homes

Building a Mediterranean-style home in Florida can cost anywhere from $350,000 to $1,000,000. Also called Spanish-style homes, Mediterranean-style houses bring elements from European architecture, like tiled roofs and stucco walls. They’re a natural fit for the Sunshine State, which shares many environmental characteristics with the Mediterranean, including warm weather and proximity to water.

Ranch-Style Homes

Ranch-style homes cost $100 to $200 per square foot or about $150,000 to $600,000 to build, depending on size. Most ranch homes have a single-story design, which makes them easier to navigate for people of all ages and abilities. Larger ranch-style homes may require additional foundation support because they have a bigger footprint on the ground.

Additional Cost Factors for Building a House in Florida

Other notable factors that affect the cost of building a custom house in Florida include labor, hurricane-proofing needs, additional structures, and land. 

Labor

Next to the cost of materials, labor is the second largest cost factor when building a new house. It accounts for 40% of your total cost, translating to about $120,000 in labor for an average $300,000 Florida home. This includes the cost of building the physical structure of your house, as well as the work performed by professionals. 

• The average cost to hire an architect is $2,200–$12,000.

• The average cost to hire a general contractor is $28,000–$56,000.

• Local construction managers cost $2,840–$66,400.

• Local framers cost $7–$16 per sq. ft.

• Local electricians cost $50–$100 per hour.

• Local plumbers cost $45–$200 per hour.

• Local roofers cost $5,70–$12,250.

• Driveway paving contractors cost $7–$13 per sq. ft.

• Local HVAC contractors cost $500–$2,500.

• Local landscapers cost $1,300–$5,700.

Hurricane Proofing

Depending on the location, some houses require stronger building materials like concrete to protect against hurricanes. Southeast Florida, Key West, and the Florida Keys are especially hurricane-prone. Hurricane-proofing costs you might incur when building a new house in Florida include:

• The cost to install hurricane windows ranges from $4,600–$20,500.

• The cost to install hurricane shutters ranges from $1,500–$5,850.

• The cost to build a hurricane shelter ranges from $2,800–$13,500.

Permits

Most Florida building permits cost between $10 and $500 each, and you will likely need several permits for different purposes, like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. How much you’ll pay depends on your county, the type of work, and the square footage of the working area. You must secure a permit before starting any home construction work in Florida.

Land

Land prices vary considerably depending on location and lot size. The average yard size for a new home in Florida is about 11,043 square feet or 0.25 acres. On average, buying land can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $150,000. Land tends to come at a premium in high-density areas like Miami, while rural sites are more affordable.

Land Prep and Demolition

Before you can build your new home, you may need to remove an existing one. The average cost to demolish a house is around $15,800. From there, hiring a professional for a land survey costs between $375 and $770. Finally, land preparation costs $2,160 to $3,600 per acre, though difficult or complex terrain that calls for significant land leveling or grading can increase this cost substantially. 

Additional Structures

Aside from the main house, you may also want to build additional structures on your property:

• The cost to build a garage ranges from $19,200–$45,000.

• The cost to build a deck ranges from $4,300–$12,500.

• The cost to build a porch ranges from $4,600–$22,000.

• The cost to build a pool ranges from $25,400–$59,500.

• The cost to build a pool house ranges from $45,000–$180,000.

• The cost to build a shed ranges from $300–$33,000.

• The cost to build a playhouse ranges from $200–$30,000.

Landscaping costs anywhere from $50 to $5,000 or more, depending on the project. For instance, basic tree removal may cost as little as $200, but installing artificial turf costs upwards of $6,700. 

Finishings

After you complete the basics of your home, you may consider paying extra for nicer internal and external finishing. These can include custom paint jobs, fireplaces, countertops, appliances, siding, windows, and more. 

For example, the cost to paint the interior of a house ranges between $950 and $3,000, while appliance installation costs between $120 and $280, not including the cost of buying the appliances. You’ll also need to consider the cost of fixtures, like electrical outlets, lighting, sinks and faucets, and more.

For interior finishes, budget for between $50,000 and $175,000. For exterior finishes, expect to pay between $50,000 and $175,000.

Special Materials or Features

Part of the appeal of building a custom home is designing it from scratch with special details and custom features to meet your needs. For example, you may decide to build a swimming pool or equip your new home with solar panels. These customizations can add to the total cost of your home.

Building a New Home vs. Renovating

Several factors come into play when deciding between building a brand-new custom home and renovating an existing property. Building a new house costs more upfront, with an average price of $300,000. By comparison, major renovations may cost $100,000 to $200,000. 

Despite the higher cost, a new build offers distinct advantages. It allows for complete customization, modern features, and up-to-date energy efficiency standards that can lower long-term costs. You’ll also avoid hidden problems common in renovations, like mold, outdated wiring, or structural issues. 

Renovating may be more attractive if you want to maintain the heritage or character of your existing home. It may also be a good idea if you love your current location and vacant lots are scarce or prohibitively expensive. Renovation projects are often completed more quickly than new builds, which can take up to 12 months in Florida. 

Budgeting for Building a House in Florida

To save money on your custom build, consider these budget-friendly tips:

• Choose a simple floor plan: Opt for simpler layouts over complex designs with multiple corners and angles. A simple design requires fewer custom materials and labor hours, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. 

• Build multiple stories: Two-level homes often cost less per square foot than equivalent single-story houses. They require a smaller foundation and roof area.

• Consider alternative building materials: Concrete blocks are cheaper than poured concrete. Smart material choices can reduce your cost by 10% to 15%.

• Opt for standard sizes: Choosing standard-sized doors and windows is more cost-effective than custom orders. 

• Focus on your finishes. Splurge on high-impact areas like the kitchen and master bathrooms while choosing standard materials in other spaces. 

• Plan for energy efficiency: Investing in proper insulation and energy-efficient systems upfront can save on long-term costs. You may save $1,000 or more each year on energy bills.

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.