Wisconsin is a suitable place to construct your house because of its facilities and other benefits. But before you think about building your home anywhere in Wisconsin, you must consider its budget. You can hire construction estimators to calculate your project cost. It will help you understand the scope of your project and create a detailed breakdown of your project expenses according to your expectations and desired budget. In this blog, you will find details about the cost of building a house in Wisconsin.
| Cost Per Square Foot | $100 to $200 |
| Cost to Build a 1500 Square Feet House | $337,500 to $660,000+ |
| Cost to Build a 2000 Square Feet House | $450,000 to $880,000+ |
| Cost to Build a 2500 Square Feet House | $562,500 to $1,100,000 |
House construction demand is increasing in Wisconsin. Also, the rate of construction is moving towards the sky. However, some factors significantly affect construction costs in Wisconsin. Let’s discuss these factors below!
The cost of land and labor vary as you move from one location to another in Wisconsin. The weather conditions, the soil conditions, the variability of labor, and the cost of materials significantly change in all counties of Wisconsin.
| County | House Construction Cost |
| Jefferson County | $79,000 – $155,000 |
| Dane County | $65,000 – $1,228,000 |
| Waukesha County | $88,000-725,000 |
| Adams County | $17,900 – $375,000 |
| Fond du Lac County | $27,000 – $900,000 |
The size and the style you target also affect the house construction cost. If you cover the big area, the house construction cost will be higher than the smaller one. Similarly, if you want a house with a simple style, its expense will be lower than the modern one.
The construction material you choose can greatly impact your house construction expense. Construction materials come in three qualities: low, moderate, and high. The house building cost increases as you move from low to high material quality. There are good-quality materials available at low rates. But, you must have market understanding if you want to recognize them.
The condition of the site you are going to start construction on can significantly shake the expense of building a house in Wisconsin. If it is ready to go, it will cut your site preparation cost. However, if the land requires preparation like cleaning and leveling, it will add an extra expense to your house construction budget.
House construction in Wisconsin needs permits from the local government. Without getting a permit, you can’t start construction on your site. And, if you do so, you can experience fines and penalties from the government.
Also Read: How to Estimate New Home Construction Cost?
Type of house construction you choose also affects the building budget.
Spec means speculation. Large-volume builders and developers sell these houses. If you go with the production home building option, you will have limited floor plans and customization options. The famous production home builders of South-Eastern Wisconsin include Loos Homes, William Ryan, Belinski, and Veridian.
They offer the same options of customization as production home builders do. But, they involve higher expenses than the first option. Also, the semi-custom house construction cost can vary depending on home size, amenities, and location.
These homes are built according to the unique needs of individual buyers. If you go with this option, you can customize everything, from size to floor plans and countertops. The land acquisition, permitting, designing, contracting, and all other elements will be controlled by you.
Let’s break down the whole house construction budget. It can help you modify things according to your pocket range and expectations. A house construction cost can be classified into 2 main categories: Hard cost and Soft cost.
These expenses are those that are directly connected with the house-construction project.
Materials and laborers cover 50% of the total cost of building a house Wisconsin. Your house construction cost may comprise $50 per square foot on the materials expenses. Explore the following breakdowns.
| Construction Activity | Cost |
| Flooring | $3 – $16 per sq. ft. |
| Drywall | $1 – $4 per sheet |
| Siding | $2 – $11 per sq. ft |
| Lumber | $3 – $8 per board ft. |
The whole construction project needs a contractor’s involvement to manage all aspects properly. On standard, 10-20% of the total house construction cost is covered by a contractor’s fee. A contractor may hire some subcontractors to get the job done by professionals. These may include:
Following is the table where you can see how much a subcontractor can ask to perform an activity.
Also Read: How to Estimate Building Materials for Home Construction?
| Subcontractor | Per Hour Charges |
| General contractor | $27.34 |
| Flooring installer | $20.72 |
| Painters | $20.31 |
| Roofers | $23.42 |
| Brick Mason | $29.14 |
| Landscaper | $19.65 |
| Carpenter | $24.60 |
| Plumber | $35.55 |
| HVAC Installer | $27.79 |
| Electrician | $29.43 |
| Structural Engineers | $35.01 |
Electrical expenses can significantly affect the price per square foot to build a house in Wisconsin. An electrical job of a new house construction project can cost between $3 to $6 per square foot. The cost includes both rough-in and finishing expenses. Remember, the electrical system budget may vary depending on the size of your house, type of wiring, electrical materials, etc. An electrician may charge up to $120 per hour in Wisconsin.
Roofing installation cost can range between $3,000 – $34,800 depending on the type and material you choose, house size, and the slop. Following table shows the varying cost of roofing, depending on different materials!
| Roofing Material | Cost |
| Asphalt Shingle Roof | $154.61 – $251.25 |
| Wood Shake Roof | $507.33 – $666.77 |
| Tile Roof | $724.75 – $1,159.60 |
| Slate Roof | $700.59 – $1,739.40 |
Plumbing elements can add wash basins, sinks, toilets, faucets, bathtubs, etc. These components can contribute to $4.50 per sq. ft. On average, the total expense can fall around $4,080. And if you go towards customization, it can go up to $12,000, depending on your expectations and demands.
An investor may need to pay $1,500 to $12,500 to install an HVAC system in a new house. The exact cost depends on the size of the area to be covered, the type of HVAC system, and the brand.
The expenses that are connected to a house construction budget indirectly are counted in soft costs.
Land cost is high in Wisconsin. It can fall around $28,200 per Acre. Furthermore, there are two expenses that can contribute to land cost.
On average, the land price can fall around $25,200 depending on the size of the area and the location where you buy the land.
Some lands are ready to start construction. However, some need preparation before construction. In case of preparation, your land budget will increase. The land preparation cost can range between $1,500 – $3,000.
As discussed earlier, house construction needs permits from the local government. Not only house construction but other activities that contribute significantly to the house-building project also require permits.
| Permit Type | Permit Charges |
| Building Permit | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Plumbing Permit | $50 to $500 |
| Electrical Permit | $10 to $500 |
| HVAC Permit | $250 to $400 |
Home interior is essential to give a complete look to your new residence in Wisconsin. It may include utensils, bathroom essentials, furniture, electronics, silverware, etc. Home interior budget depends on your taste and the looks you demand from the contractor. On average, it can cost around 2,500 sq. ft. And if you consider the lowest budget possible, it can fall around $20,000.
For extraordinary interior design, you may need assistance from an experienced interior designer. It is covered under soft cost. Remember, hiring an interior designer is not cheap. Its budget can fall around $5,400 or even more.
The cost per square foot to build a house in Wisconsin can vary significantly. But you can use some smart strategies/tips to save maximum on your house construction project.
Consider the following factors when building a house in Wisconsin!
Excavating is difficult in Winter in Wisconsin due to the unbearable cold. Winters are also long in Wisconsin. You may require extra steps to protect foundations if you build during January or February. So, choosing the suitable weather is essential to start house construction in Wisconsin. You can choose Spring or Summer to complete construction before Winter.
Schedule construction activities carefully. Get assistance from professionals to get profitable suggestions and fetch results that meet your expectations. Never hurry and keep things streamlined to process construction smoothly.
Consider your desired budget before executing your house construction project. Never jump to the skies if you don’t have enough for your targeted construction. Plan things according to your pocket. You can also use financing if you don’t have enough for your house construction.
You can use some financing options to construct a house in Wisconsin.
It further contains 2 options:
It covers land purchase and house construction expenses. Once the house construction is finished, it is converted to a conventional mortgage.
It only covers the expense of house construction. The complete loan amount is due once the house construction has finished. You can return it in cash or mortgage.
Unlike home construction loans, it does not cover the complete house construction expense. You can choose this option to cover a specific part of construction. For instance, you can finance roofing using a personal loan.
It is for those who own land and need money to start construction. The amount you receive depends on the equity you own in your current home.
Yes, it is a good year to start your house construction in Wisconsin. Remember to start out in good weather so you don’t experience the hassle of winters.
In many areas of Wisconsin, it is cheaper to buy a house than to construct a new one. But you must note that the construction materials rates are declining in the market. So building your own according to your taste and expectations is also a good option. It may let you experience higher expenses than buying a house but, as a result, you will have the beautiful home of your dreams. Everything will be executed as per your expectations.
House construction cost in Wisconsin depends on different factors such as the location, size of the area to be covered, house construction style, stories you want, contractors fees, subcontractors charges, construction permits, etc. On average, it can fall between $450,000 to $880,000+ for a house of 2000 square feet. Consider all the factors when planning to execute your house construction in Wisconsin. It will help you save a lot on your total budget and timelines.
Is it still cheaper to build than buy in Wisconsin?
It is more expensive to construct a house in Wisconsin than buying one. But, it is also a good option as you can execute things as planned and get the results you have in your mind. In the case of buying, you will have to compromise on some points.
How much does it cost to build a 2000 sq ft house in Wisconsin?
You must have a budget between $450,000 to $880,000+ to construct a 2000-square-foot house in Wisconsin.
How much does an acre of land cost in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, the land cost is $28,200 per acre.
How much does it cost to build a Barndominium in Wisconsin?
The budget to construct a Barndominium can range between $200 – $300 per square foot in Wisconsin.
It is Robert Taylor, an experienced civil engineer by profession. I teach students studying in the engineering field and offer estimating services to contractors. In my spare time, I love to spend time exploring innovations and technologies in the construction sector. I am a good influencer too.
Read More
Tips to Win More Construction Bids 
