What a new house costs to build in Minnesota

The first question at almost every first meeting is the same: what will this cost? Here is what we tell people, with sample numbers.

Cost per square foot

Most of the new homes we design in the Twin Cities cost $450 to $650 per square foot to build. That covers the builder's work, not the land, the design fee or the furniture.

What moves the number

1. Shape: a simple footprint costs less than one with many corners.
2. Glass: large windows are one of the biggest single costs in a modern house.
3. The site: slopes, poor soil and long driveways add up before anything shows above ground.

Where the fee fits

Design fees are a percentage of construction cost or a fixed fee. Either way, you get a written proposal before we start.