HomeCost to Build
The differentiator · powered by StartBuild

Know your starting-point budget — and loan amount — before you talk to a lender.

Get a free build-cost range tied to your state, ZIP, foundation, and finish, plus a starting-point loan amount to bring to lender qualification. Then order your full Cost To Build Report and get matched with a construction-loan specialist.

Starting-point budget & loan amount60+ line items in the full report20 years of StartBuild data

A planning starting point only — not a loan offer, quote, or appraisal. Final budget and loan amount are set by your builder contract and your lender.

Free instant estimate

No sign-up
2,000 sq ft
440 sq ft
120 sq ft
Estimated construction range (starting point)
$355,000$492,000
"Better" finish · Texas
Living · 2,000 sf$374,000
Garage · 440 sf (45% rate)$37,000
Covered porch · 120 sf (30% rate)$6,500
Garage + porch add $44,000 (12%) most quick estimates leave out.
Starting-point loan numbers
Midpoint construction cost$418,000
If you put down…Down paymentStarting loan amount
Conventional · 20%$83,500$334,000
FHA · 3.5%$14,500$403,000
VA / USDA · 0%$0$418,000
Illustration only, to give you and your lender a starting point. Not a loan offer or approval. Construction cost shown here is the building only — land, closing costs, interest reserve, and contingency are separate and set by your lender. Your actual down payment, rate, and loan amount depend on the lender, program, credit, and your final builder contract.
Where the money goes
A free, grouped preview. Your full report breaks each of these into line items with labor + materials.
Foundation (all types & garage slab)$42,000
Framing rough shell$75,500
Dry-out shell$50,000
Mechanicals (electrical / plumbing / HVAC)$62,500
Finish shell$92,000
Cabinets & vanities$33,500
Everything else$62,500
Your full line-item report19 sections · 60+ items · labor + materials, locked
General soft costs
Plans / architect / modifications$0,000$0,000
Engineering$00,000$00,000
Building permit / impact fees$0,000$000
Pre-construction services$00,000$0,000
Sitework & utilities
Site work$00,000$0,000
Water / well$000$0,000
Sewer / septic$0,000$00,000
Electric / phone / cable$0,000$0,000
Gas / oil$00,000$00,000
Driveway$0,000$000
Temp facilities / power$00,000$0,000
Foundation
Foundation (all types & garage slab)$0,000$0,000
Framing rough shell
Framing rough shell$00,000$0,000
Fireplace$000$0,000
Balconies, decks, porches & other$0,000$00,000
Finish basement / bonus room$0,000$0,000
Roofing
Roofing$0,000$0,000
Gutters$00,000$00,000
Dry-out shell
Exterior doors$00,000$0,000
Windows / sliders / French doors$000$0,000
Siding$0,000$00,000
Garage doors$0,000$0,000
Electrical
Electrical$0,000$0,000
Electrical fixtures$00,000$00,000
Plumbing
Plumbing$00,000$0,000
Plumbing fixtures$000$0,000
Fire proofing$0,000$00,000
HVAC
HVAC$0,000$0,000
Insulation
Insulation$00,000$0,000
Finish shell
Drywall$0,000$0,000
Interior doors and trim$00,000$00,000
Stairs$0,000$000
Shower doors / mirrors / accessories$00,000$0,000
Cabinets & vanities
Cabinets & vanities$00,000$0,000
Kitchen counter & vanity tops$000$0,000
Appliances$0,000$00,000
Painting
Painting — interior$0,000$0,000
Painting — exterior$00,000$00,000
Flooring
Flooring$00,000$0,000
Special equipment
Special equipment needs$0,000$0,000
Contractor / project manager
StartBuild construction services$00,000$0,000
Project manager fee$000$0,000
General contractor fee$0,000$00,000
Land & financing
Land payoff$0,000$0,000
Interest reserve$00,000$00,000
Contingency reserve$0,000$000
Closing costs$00,000$0,000
Get your exact cost to build — from $32.95
Priced to your plan, ZIP, and foundation. Adjust any line, export to PDF or Excel, and take it to your lender.
~2 business days60 days of editsHuman-reviewed

Rough planning range based on your inputs and regional cost indices not a quote, appraisal, or loan offer. Your plan, lot, selections, and builder contract move the number; the full report prices all 60+ items to your exact ZIP.

Rough → Researched → Real

Three steps from a ballpark to a number you can take to a lender

Each step builds on the last — and keeps you, your lender, and your builder working from the same starting point.

STEP 1 · ROUGH

Free instant estimate

The calculator above gives a starting-point construction range and loan amount in seconds. Great for early planning and a first lender conversation.

Most useful for lenders

Cost To Build Report

Order the full StartBuild report — 60+ line items priced to your plan and ZIP, exportable to PDF/Excel. This is the document a lender wants to see for qualification. From $32.95.

STEP 3 · REAL

Get matched & finalize

Bring your report to a matched construction-loan specialist. Your final budget, loan amount, and terms are set with the lender and your builder contract.

Already have your Cost To Build Report?

Share it — with your approval — with the construction-loan specialists you choose, so they can help you get qualified. You stay in control and can revoke access anytime.

Share & match your report
Good / Better / Best / Custom

What the finish tiers mean

Good

Builder-grade finishes, standard fixtures and cabinetry, efficient footprint. The lowest cost-per-square-foot tier.

Most common

Better

Mid-grade upgrades — quartz counters, LVP/tile, upgraded appliances. The typical custom-build choice.

Best / Custom

Premium materials, custom millwork, high-end mechanicals. Highest cost and longest build timeline.

A starting point — not a final number

This tool is here to help you and your lender focus on a sensible starting-point budget and a starting-point loan amount. It is an estimate for planning only.

Your final budget, final loan amount, rates, and terms will be determined directly between you, the lender you choose, and your builder contract — and they will change as plans, selections, your lot, and underwriting are finalized.

AllConstructionLoans.com is an independent resource powered by StartBuild. We are NOT a bank, mortgage lender, or direct provider of construction loans, and we do not fund, underwrite, or originate loans. The Cost To Build Report is produced by StartBuild / CostToBuildAHouse.com. Nothing here is financial, legal, lending, or appraisal advice.

Ready to turn your estimate into a real budget?

Order your Cost To Build Report, then get matched free with a construction-loan specialist in your state.

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