Cost of building a new house in 2024 

Building a new house is an ambitious and exciting project. Costs can vary considerably depending on several factors that range from building square footage to material choices. It’s critical to understand all the factors that influence the final cost so you can make informed decisions. Here are key factors that determine construction costs as well as some tips to get the most bang for your buck and achieve your real estate dream. 

Prices listed in this article were compiled from requested bids that RenoAssistance has received from contractors over the years. They are used as examples only. 

To get things started, what are the profiles of families who decided on a new build in 2024? “We note a mixed bag of profiles but here are the most common,” says Maria Santamaria, Team lead for RenoAssistance Residential Services. “They’re often people who have the flexibility needed to move to more remote areas, who are financially comfortable and in a position to create their dream home. Some are interested in living under the same roof as their parents and children. Others have already been homeowners and want features not easily found in existing homes.”  

How much does it cost to build a new house?

Entry level

Mid-range

High end

Gross

Cost breakdown of a new build

Here are some expenses to consider in order to calculate the total cost of a new build.

Buying land

The cost of buying land to build on in Quebec varies widely depending on location, size and specific features.  

• In cities like Montreal and Quebec City Prices range from $100,000 and $400,000 for residential land (budget more for land in sought-after neighbourhoods). 

• On the outskirts of big cities Between $50,000 and $150,000, or more, depending on the distance from an urban centre. 

• In remote and rural areas Starting from $20,000 and up to $80,000, depending on access to services and infrastructure. 

Earthworks

The cost for this kind of work often involves site preparation, rainwater management and building support walls. It varies depending on the region, availability of materials and labour. 

• For standard earthworks Between $5,000 and $15,000, which includes work like grading, excavation and soil preparation.  

• For more complex work Costs can surpass $30,000.

Plans

The cost to draw up the plans to build a new home varies depending on the complexity of the project, desired size of the dwelling and experience of the person or company hired. 

• By an architectural technologist Between $1,500 and $3,000. A technologist can provide functional and personalized plans based on current or custom designs, often at a more affordable rate than an architect. 

• By an architect Fees range between $4,000 and $10,000, even more for complex projects. Architects provide detailed and personalized plans that frequently include design and layout advice – which can bump up the cost.  

Special installations

The cost to include special installations varies depending on several factors like location and specifics of the project.   

• Well (if applicable) Between $5,000 and $10,000, or more, depending on well depth and local geographical conditions. 

• Septic tank (if applicable) Between $7,000 and $15,000, and up. This cost includes the septic tank as well as the filtration or drainage system and can vary according to the size and type of system required. 

• Connecting to public services:  

• Electricity Between $1,000 and $3,000, or more, depending on distance to the power grid and complexity of the connection. 

• Drinking water and sewage (if available) Between $2,000 and $6,000, or more, depending on distance to the main pipeline and local requirements.  

These amounts may differ depending on conditions specific to the site, required permits and companies chosen to carry out the work.

Miscellaneous costs

The cost associated with building a new house varies but here are some rough estimates:  

• Notary fees Between $1,000 and $2,500, or more. It covers the drafting of legal documents related to buying the land, financing and ownership. 

• Welcome tax Between 0.5% and 1.5% of the purchase price of the land or house. This tax is calculated using the purchase value and is the municipality’s responsibility. 

• Building permits Between $500 and $2,000, or more. It includes costs associated with reviewing plans and authorizing work and varies by municipality and scale of project. 

These costs may vary depending on location, size of project and each municipality’s local requirements. 

Factors influencing building costs

Type and size of house

Single family homes are usually more straightforward to build than a multi-family building that requires more complex engineering which can increase the bill. 

A bigger house needs more materials, labour and time to build. Increasing the living space, whether it’s more bedrooms, bathrooms or bigger rooms, impacts the cost. 

Multi-level homes are usually more expensive than a single-storey house. Multi-storey houses require more complex structures, like stairs or additional support systems, which impacts building costs as well. 

Features like a finished basement, veranda, patio or garage will also increase the final bill. Exterior landscaping like landscaped gardens or a driveway will also add to project costs. 

Location

Location has a significant impact on the cost of building a new home due to variations in land prices, regulatory requirements and the cost to transport materials. It will cost more to buy in an urban area or one in high demand. On the other hand, it can be more expensive in more remote areas due to costs related to access and logistics.

Materials used

Materials have an impact on the cost of building a new home due to their price, market availability and sustainability. High-end or specialized materials, like marble or prefabricated concrete, increase costs, while standard materials, like wood or brick, can help reduce the final bill.

Examples of the cost to build a new house 

Two-storey house 

Two-storey house 40’ x 30’ (3-4 bedrooms upstairs) with garage: $575,000 to $644,000  

Two-storey house 46’ x 30’ (4-5 bedrooms upstairs) with garage: $685,000 to $815,000 

Three-bedroom house

Two-storey house 30’ x 35’ (3 bedrooms upstairs) with single garage: $465,000 to $530,000 

Four-bedroom house

Two-storey house 40’ x 30’ (4 bedrooms upstairs) with single garage: $505,000 to $574,000 

Five-bedroom house

Two-storey house 48’ x 35’ (5 bedrooms upstairs) with double garage: $660,000 to $785,000 

How to save on building a house?

To significantly reduce the cost of a new home build or extension project, customers can choose to hire a general contractor to construct the building’s exterior envelope (foundation, framework, siding, roofing, doors and windows). The expert manages, directs and guarantees the quality of work of all the trades involved, and ensures that the house is watertight. Clients then have access to the Residential construction guarantee for the shell of their new home. 

In this situation, clients are responsible for interior work (including or excluding electricity and plumbing), In this case, customers take care of interior finishing (including or excluding electricity and plumbing), adjusted according to their priorities and budget. They should know this savings means that they bear the responsibility to supervise the various trades doing work inside the house. Clients who take this route often have construction experience, a reliable network and the time needed to manage it all. 

“Our Renovation Advisors use their skills and expertise to help homeowners save money,” says Maria Santamaria. “For example, our clients often turn to an architect for design plans when an architectural technologist could get the job done cheaper.”

Bring in the experts to build your home

Why is it worthwhile to call RenoAssistance at the start of the new home build or extension process? “To get things done the right way from the get-go, to properly prepare and make informed decisions, to avoid costly mistakes,” says Maria Santamaria. A cost assessment carried out with one of our experts will help clients know the current market value of their project and determine more cost-saving options if the budget so requires, all before even meeting with the architect or technologist. Our team’s intention is to help clients create a plan that respects their budget. Our experts are able to suggest options that allow clients to meet their needs while taking into account their financial resources. Clients tend to turn to architects and technologists for this assessment. However, we are very well positioned to assess market value based on market fluctuations.”

Buy a house or build one?

A question asked by many: should we buy or build? If the time has come to turn your dream into reality and get a home built, RenoAssistance will help you find your contractor.

Find a contractor

However, if you’d prefer to buy a new home instead of build one, you can find lots of interesting properties for sale on the DuProprio platform.