Cost to Build a House in California

Cost to Build a House in California - June 2010

This is an attractive 4 bedroom, 2 bath ranch style house with a lot of nice features, yet it is only 1,412 sq. ft.
The front porch measures Approx. 27’ x 6’.

This plan as shown is with a full basement, but it can be easily modified for slab construction to save money or to accommodate a high water table.

I estimated the cost to build with a slab foundation as that's the norm in San Bernardino.

Lifestyle Features: great room, suited for view lot, covered rear porch, volume/vaulted ceiling, peninsula/eating bar, covered front porch, unfinished/future space, split bedrooms & walk-in closet


HOUSEPLANS.COM - PLAN 18-1036



To estimate cost, I'll use my resource #5 , “Building Costs by City & State”, on "Getting Started" using “average" quality and a slab foundation


Using this "shape" on the "cost to build" calculator for the San Bernardino, CA area, I came up with $99,594for an owner/builder. That’s an approximate cost of $70.53 per sq. ft.

I determined this amount by deducting the General Contractor’s Markup, equipment rental, and allowed only $2,000 for insurance.

You should keep in mind that the cost to build for this example, or any house plan, can vary considerably depending quality of materials selected, and on actual bids for labor and material.

The estimate for this house is an approximate one based on “average” quality materials and a slab foundation .

Until you actually start getting bids and entering them into your own spreadsheet (see my spreadsheet page for FREE spreadsheets), it will remain approximate.