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

Average Cost to Build a House in California

California Home-Building Cost Factors

Materials represent half of the cost of building a house in California, but the total cost varies based on the size of the home and the quality and type of materials you choose. These figures don’t factor in real estate or property sales costs, which can influence your budget significantly depending on where you build your home.

Building Quality

Building a standard home in California averages about $200 to $500 per square foot. This gets you a modest home in a decent location. Luxury homes built with high-end materials and in affluent neighborhoods can easily exceed $800 per square foot. Modest homes can utilize budget-friendly materials for building costs as low as $200 per square foot. Higher costs in California are largely due to stringent building regulations and high demand for skilled labor.

Number of Bedrooms

More bedrooms generally translate to larger and more costly homes. See these cost ranges based on the number of bedrooms:

Number of Stories

Building up is generally less expensive than building out, so multiple stories help manage your home’s footprint and build cost. Some homeowners prefer one-story rancher styles—these homes suit large lots, but the larger footprint equates to higher costs.

Two-story homes are popular since they potentially double the property's floor space without increasing the footprint. While three-story homes are common, costs per square foot typically increase when building beyond two stories due to the more complex building logistics for multi-level homes.

See the typical costs to build based on the number of stories for builds with equivalent footprints:

• Single-story: $200,000–$1.15 million

• Two-story: $400,000–$1.8 million

• Three-story: $600,000–$2.4 million

Materials

Material prices vary considerably across California depending on demand, availability, and other factors. California often has higher costs than other states due to premium materials that comply with the state’s standards for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Some materials have limited flexibility in cost—concrete foundations and wood framing, for instance, have relatively small cost ranges compared to siding or roofing materials. The type of home you’re building influences material costs. For example, marble countertops, custom woodwork, or similarly high-end finishes can significantly increase costs.

Cost by Construction Component

Various construction components represent different proportions of your total building costs.

Framing

Ranging from $22,100 to $60,000, framing is the basic structure of a building, consisting of beams, studs, rafters, joists, and other components. Most homes are built with wood framing, but lumber costs are volatile and may spike building costs if in limited supply.

As an earthquake zone, California imposes stringent structural requirements in areas with low to high risk for seismic activities. More complex framing designs for seismic resistance, inspections, and other factors can increase total framing costs. High-risk areas often require additional support, such as steel framing or redundant systems.

Foundation

The foundation for a custom California home costs anywhere from $12,000 to $100,000.The final cost of the foundation depends on the slope grade and other site conditions—California is known for hilly landscapes and unstable soil, and houses built on these types of plots usually carry higher foundation costs.

Foundations and basements may require concrete pillars, retaining walls, rebar reinforcement, and other structural support to address seismic safety. Pier and beam foundations, which cost $16,000 to $50,000, are often necessary for homes in flood-prone areas. Some plots require land surveys and soil amendments before proceeding with the foundation.

Electrical

Expect to pay around $4 to $9 per square foot or $8,000 to $18,000 total for electrical installation in a new California home. Standard electrical systems carry similar costs across various builds. Adding smart home systems, home theaters, high-end lighting, electrical vehicle charging systems, and other electrical upgrades can significantly increase costs.

Plumbing

Expect to pay between $8,000 to $12,000 for new plumbing, depending on the number of bathrooms, appliances, and various plumbing lines needed. Rough-in plumbing costs $450 to $1,800 per fixture.

Roofing

The average roof cost in California is $22,400, but costs range from $8,650 to $65,000 depending on the home’s size and the complexity of the roof design. Material is also a primary influencer for roofing costs since it influences the upfront cost and difficulty of installation.

Asphalt shingles are generally the most affordable roofing option, costing $5 to $10 per square foot, while premium metal or tile can drive roofing costs to between $20 and $40 per square foot. 

Driveway

The average cost to build a driveway in California is $6,750, ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Premium materials, decorative finishes, custom designs, or larger driveways represent high-end costs.

HVAC

HVAC system installations range from $7,000 to $16,000. Homeowners can choose from various systems, such as central air, heat pumps, furnaces, and mini-splits, with each system carrying varying costs. With high energy efficiency ratings and various cost incentives, heat pumps and mini-splits are increasingly popular in new California homes. Zoning, air filtration, and other features increase total costs.

Landscaping

Expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $50,000 for landscaping in California. The diverse climates and terrains in California mean that landscaping costs vary greatly depending on location. For example, drought-tolerant and native plants are important in areas that experience more severe droughts and water restrictions. Lush and high-maintenance foliage is often more costly, plus they may require water-efficient irrigation systems to satisfy both the plant’s needs and the state’s water restrictions.

Additional Structures

Many California homeowners prioritize time spent outdoors and often incorporate hardscaping to add porches, decks, and various other entertainment areas outside, which costs between $5,000 and $18,000. Consider these additional hardscaping features and other structures:

• Pool installation: $44,500–$87,400

• Guest house: $62,000–$225,000

• Tennis court: $5,800–$26,200

• Deck or patio: $2,000–$6,000

• Outdoor kitchen: $6,350–$26,900

• Detached garage: $19,200–$33,600

• Pool house: $45,000–$180,000

Interior Finishings

Interior finishes complete the inside of your home to serve functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. Common interior finishing costs include:

Exterior Finishings

Exterior finishes refer to materials and treatments on the outside of the home that provide aesthetic appeal, protection, and other important functions. In California, homeowners pay between $140,000 and $235,000 for custom exterior finishes. In addition to roofing and landscaping, exterior finishes include:

• Siding

• Windows and doors

• Trim and moldings

• Outdoor lighting

• Painting

Labor

Building a home requires a large team of various contractors, including a construction manager or general contractor, construction workers, electricians, and other specialized workers. Construction managers usually charge a percentage of the total project cost for their own fee, between 5% and 15%. Pricing structures vary, but construction managers and general contractors often provide their own team and handle hiring additional subcontractors.

Common labor rates for new homes in California include:

• Construction manager: 5%–15% of the total project cost

• Electrician: $50–$100 per hour

• Plumber: $45–$200 per hour

• Architect: $120–$250 per hour

• Structural engineer: $100–$200 per hour

Land

Land costs in California are among the highest in the nation but can vary depending on the exact area of this large state. For example, 1/2 acre lots in California range from $50,000 to up to $1 million in some regions. Coastal areas and major cities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, have the highest property costs, while Fresno, Bakersfield, and other desert locations cost the least. Empty lots may be difficult to find in dense areas—if you purchase an already developed spot, factor demolition costs into your build.

Solar Panels

As of 2020, California mandates that most new houses must come equipped with solar panels. Expect to pay between $18,350 and $36,400 for solar panels.

Permits

Plan for about 1% to 2% of total costs to go toward building permit fees—many homeowners pay $10,000 to $25,000 or more for permits. Higher permit costs reflect high square footage, non-standard features, and population-dense areas.

Cost to Build a House in California by House Style

Cost ranges between home styles are substantial because each style involves different design features, materials, and construction requirements.

Cape Cod

A Cape Cod home in California averages $660,000. Cape Cods are relatively common in California because they add height and square footage without a large footprint.

Contemporary

Expect to pay around $1.35 million for contemporary-style homes. Contemporary homes feature modern designs that are popular in California, such as open floor plans and sustainable materials.

Mediterranean

Mediterranean homes, with distinctive tile roofs and stucco siding, cost about $950,000 to build in California. This style is popular in California, particularly in coastal regions that share a similar climate with Mediterranean areas.

California Ranch

California ranch-style homes are characterized by sprawling one-story layouts. These homes cost about $660,000 to build, but large single-story footprints can make them more costly to build in high-demand areas.

Victorian

Victorian homes, with intricate woodwork and other details, cost about $1.05 million to build. The unique features of these homes typically required more specialized work.

Budgeting for Building a House in California

Building a home in California is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, but careful budgeting can keep your costs in check. Try these tips:

• Prioritize non-negotiable features, such as energy-efficient materials or layout plans, over areas where you’re willing to cut costs.

• Choose materials that balance cost, style, and durability.

• Consider prefabricated or modular homes over customized builds.

• Carefully compare estimates from multiple contractors to find a builder that best aligns with your project’s needs.

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.