The average home building cost in Iowa ranges between 200,000 – $300,000. The construction costs largely depend on the type of property, construction area, and customizations. Additionally, you need to budget land expenses and permit costs.
Building your own house is not just expensive but also time-consuming. On average, homeowners spend 9 to 12 months building a house. Many even consider buying a new one instead.
But will it be cheaper than building a new home in the Hawkeye State? If not, how much does a new home construction cost in Iowa, and is it worth the investment?
🚀 Key Takeaways
- Average Cost to Build a House in Iowa: It costs about $107 per square foot to build a house in the Hawkeye State.
- Framing Lumber is the Highest Material Cost: It costs about $33,000 to frame a 2,000 sq. ft. home, according to Forbes Home.
- Your Building Costs Can Increase: Rising material costs, expensive labor, and supply chain issues can increase your house-building costs.
- Home Building Financing Options: You can work with a lender to get a construction loan. You can also opt for USDA construction loans and VA construction loans.
- Buying a House is Cheaper than Building: Apart from construction costs, one must budget for land costs, permit fees, etc. This will increase your home building costs significantly. In some cases buying a home in Iowa can be affordable than building a new one.
Can I Build My Own House in Iowa?
Yes! If you have an ideal piece of land, in an area you want to live in, you can definitely build your own house in Iowa. You have to budget for the time and the cost of building a home in Iowa though.
You will also need permits to build. Permit fees depend on the home value or the construction area. Rarely will the permit be charged at a flat fee. Permit laws vary across counties in Iowa. Refer to your local county’s website or office for more information on home building permits.
» Permit Costs: Read more about home building permits.
Is it Cheaper to Build or Buy a House in Iowa?
Generally, buying an existing home is cheaper than building a new one. But remember, by building your own home you get a brand-new home, customized to your needs.
The cost of house building in Iowa ranges between $200,000 – $300,000, with the state average at $214,040. This figure does not include land costs, excavations, permits, and other expenses. Home building prices in Iowa can reach millions depending on the build type and customizations.
If you’re considering buying a home, the median sale price (as of April 2023) in Iowa is $223,500.
Owner-built homes can take up to 12 months to complete. Even if you hire a contractor, you will spend 9 months building your house. So, as per Iowa real estate market, new home construction is time-consuming.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Home in Iowa?
The average cost per square foot to build a house in Iowa is $107, excluding land costs, permit fees, excavations, and other costs.
Average Cost of Building a House in Iowa
| Average Home Building Costs in Iowa | $214,040 |
| Minimum (800 sq. ft.) | $85,600 |
| Maximum (5,000 sq. ft.) | $535,000 |
| Average Range | $200,000 – $300,000 |
Average Cost to Build a House in Iowa by Square Footage
Below is the table showing construction cost per square foot in Iowa for varying home sizes:
| Home Size | Average Price Range |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $107,000 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $160,500 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $214,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $267,500 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $321,000 |
Average Cost to Build a House in Iowa by Cities
Here’s how much it costs to build a house in popular cities/counties in Iowa:
| City/County | Average Building Costs Per Sq. Ft. |
| Davenport | $119 |
| Des Moines | $130 |
| Iowa City | $119 |
Iowa Home Building Costs Breakdown
To paint a better picture, here is a house building costs breakdown for a 2,500 sq. ft. house in Iowa:
Hard Costs to Build a House in Iowa
Hard costs comprise expenses directly involved in the home-building process that play a direct role in estimating the project’s completion.
1. Material Cost to Build a House: $147,500
Building materials make up approximately 50% of the overall building prices. You can expect to spend about $50 per square foot on home-building material costs.
The cost of building materials went up 5% to 10% in 2022 compared to 2021. This was due to the increased demand for siding and other building materials and longer delivery timelines.
Home building prices are expected to be volatile in 2023. Ken Simonson, Chief Economist at Associated General Contractors of America, expects price hikes and shortages to ease for some products, and to remain volatile for others in 2023.
“Cement and concrete products are likely to have continuing shortages as the nation has not added any cement production since 2009 while demand is growing, particularly from infrastructure projects.”
– Ken Simonson, Chief Economist at Associated General Contractors of America
Here are the material costs you must account for while building your home in Iowa:
- Flooring: $3 to $12 per sq. ft.
- Drywall: $1 to $3 per sq. ft.
- Siding: $3 to $8 per sq. ft.
- Lumber: $3 to $11 per sq. ft.
2. Contractor(s) Charges: 10% – 20%
You need a contractor or a firm to oversee the construction process. Contractors hire other professionals, estimate the costs, and complete the construction on time.
A general contractor hires several other professionals involved in the home-building process. They include:
- Electricians
- Architects
- Floor installers
- Plumbers
- HVAC installers
- Carpenters, etc.
A contractor charges around 10% to 20% of the total construction value. A general contractor’s fee depends on several factors, such as property type, detailing, materials, and workforce. Apart from a contractor fee, ensure to account for each professional’s hourly rates.
Below are the average hourly rates of home building professionals in Iowa:
| Professionals | Hourly Rate* |
| Flooring Installers | $19.02 |
| Roofers | $24.90 |
| Painters | $19.30 |
| Brick Masons | $25.76 |
| Landscapers | $17.76 |
| General Contractors | $20.28 |
| Plumbers | $26.44 |
| Carpenters | $23.12 |
| HVAC Technicians | $26.24 |
| Structural Engineers | $33.83 |
| Electricians | $27.50 |
3. Electrical Costs: $7,500 – $12,500
On average new construction electrical cost per square foot is $3 to $6. This amount includes both the rough-in as well as the finishing work.
The amount you spend on electrical work will differ depending on the property size, type of wiring, wire material, etc. To save money you can DIY the electrical work, but you will still need an electrician to check the connections. Some electricians can charge up to $120 per hour.
4. Roof Installation Costs: $2,900 – $33,600
Roofing costs depend on the choice of roofing material, the slope of the roof, and the size of your house. Below is the table showing roofing costs per square foot in Iowa for various roofing materials:
| Roofing Material | Avg Cost Per 100 Sq. Ft. |
| Asphalt Shingle Roof | $149.67 – $243.22 |
| Tile Roof | $701.58 – $1,122.53 |
| Wood Shake Roof | $491.11 – $645.46 |
| Slate Roof | $678.20 – $1,683.80 |
5. Plumbing Costs: $12,000
Plumbing costs include installing plumbing fixtures such as toilets, faucets, wash basins, bathtubs, etc. Homeowners spend around $4.50 per sq. ft. in installing plumbing fixtures in new construction or $4,080 on average (national average).
You require a plumber to fix the pipes and lay the sewage lines. Apart, you need to install new machineries like washing machines, dryers, and geysers while custom building a home in Iowa.
6. HVAC Installation Costs: $12,500
Homeowners pay $1,500 to $12,500 for installing a new HVAC system. This cost depends on several factors such as the size of the cooling area, the type of system, the brand, the addition of zones, etc. All these additional factors can increase the installation cost by $2,000 or more.
Soft Cost to Build a House in Iowa
Soft cost in home construction comprises costs that do contribute to the building process directly. They include costs like permit costs, design costs, etc.
1. Land Cost: $9,000 Per Acre
Before you build your house in Iowa you need to shop for land to build it on. You will incur two costs related to land:
- Land Purchase Cost: The average price per acre in Iowa is $6,590. The cost of land depends on the size of the house you wish to build as well as the location.
- Preparation Cost: You need to clear the land and level it before starting the construction process. Land preparation costs can be anywhere between $1,500 – $3,000.
🤔 Is it cheaper to build a house in Iowa if you already own land?
Yes. In most cases, building a house is in Iowa cheaper if you own the land. You will incur only the cost of building the home. Plus, you can customize your home to your requirements!
» Land For Sale By Owner in Iowa: Buy land to build a house near you.
2. Iowa Home Building Permit Costs: $5,000
In Iowa contractors need a building permit to construct a new house. Construction or building permits are legal documents that authorize the house-building process.
The permit costs, and building codes, vary per county and are usually charged based on the construction type, occupancy type, home building area, and project scope.
Some permits you may need along with their average cost are as follow:
- Building Permit: $1,000 to $2,000
- HVAC Permit: $250 to $400
- Plumbing Permit: $50 to $500
- Electrical Permit: $10 to $500
Building permit costs vary across counties. Refer to your local county’s websites to get the exact permit estimates.
3. Home Interiors: $20,000
Before you move into your new home, you’ll need furniture, electronics, utensils, silverware, and bathroom essentials. These may sound relatively cheap, but the costs can add up quickly.
The costs will depend upon your taste, quality of finishes, location, and the outlet you order from. For a 2,500 sq. ft. home, you should budget at least $20,000 on interior furnishings.
4. Home Interior Designer Costs: $5,400
If designing your own interior isn’t your thing, you can hire an interior designer. A great interior designer will provide you with 3D views and renderings of how your home will look and feel before you finalize the finishes.
An interior designer will also order the right furniture, wall prints, rugs, carpets, artifacts, etc. based on your taste and functional requirements. They can also help you maximize space utilization.
But interior designers aren’t cheap. Budget $5,400 on average, but it can be more or less depending upon your requirements.
House Building Financing Options
If you have the funds to finance your dream house, you are welcome to skip this section. If not, then do not lose hope. Prepare a budget and get an estimate of how much money you need, then apply for one of the following home loans:
Home Construction Loan
The two most prominent home construction loans are as follows:
- Construction-to-Permanent Loan: This loan covers both land purchasing as well home building costs. Once the construction is complete and you move into the house, the loan is converted to a conventional mortgage of 15 to 30 years.
- Construction-only Loan: It is meant only for financing the home building, and does not cover the land purchase. After your home is ready, the entire loan amount is due. You either cover the amount by paying cash or taking out a mortgage.
Personal Loan
A personal loan will not cover your entire home-building cost. Take out a personal loan to finance a specific part of the construction. Say, you forgot to account for landscaping while budgeting your home-building finances. In such a case, a personal loan can come to your rescue.
Home Equity Loan
Home equity loan applies to homeowners who already have a property and want to finance the construction of a new one. Depending on how much equity you own in your existing home, you can finance the entire construction of your new home or a part of it.
Should You Build Your Own House in Iowa?
If you own land in a location you want to live in, we highly recommend building a house yourself or hiring a General Contractor to build you one. Budget 9 to 12 months for planning and construction of your new home in Iowa.
If you don’t own your own land in a desirable area, we recommend you house-hunt for turnkey homes in Iowa and move in quickly.
Skip the hassle of building a house, and check out FSBO properties in Iowa on Houzeo.com. Make offers, negotiate directly with homeowners, and move into your new home within a month.
Eager to Know More About Houzeo?
We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner sites in the U.S.
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.
FAQs About Cost to Build a House in Iowa
1. How much does it cost to build a 2,000 square foot home in Iowa?
It costs about $107 per square foot to build a house in Iowa. So, you would have to spend $214,000 to build a 2,000-square-foot home in Iowa. These costs will vary depending on the exact location, property types, labor costs, material costs, etc.
2. How much does it cost to build a house per square foot in Iowa?
It costs $107 per square foot to build a house in Iowa. However, home-building costs depend on the property type. For instance, a luxury-grade home can cost up to $200 to $500 per sq ft.
3. How much does it cost to frame a house in Iowa?
It costs about $17 per square foot to frame a house in Iowa.
4. How much does a foundation cost in Iowa?
A foundation costs $6 to 12 per square foot in Iowa depending on the thickness of the reinforced slab.
Resources for Selling Your Owner-Built Home
If you plan on selling your house post building it, here are the resources you must check out to maximize your profits:
- List on MLS: Discover ways to list your owner-built homes on the MLS.
- Free MLS Listing: Read to know if there are ways to list on the MLS for free.
- Flat Fee MLS Listing: Check out how Houzeo’s FFM packages that save thousands in commissions.
- Cash Buyers for Homes: Sell your house fast for cash with America’s best cash home-buying companies in 2023.
- Flat Fee Realtor: Skip the listing commission and pay a flat fee to successfully sell your home with Flat Fee Realtors.
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