House Plans with Cost to Build Estimates
Every plan on our site is one of thousands of house plans with cost to build estimates, including a free cost-to-build estimate on each plan page. The Plan Collection has two options on each home plan page that both provide you with estimated cost to build reports. First, there's a free cost-to-build button on each plan detail page that generates a very rough, but free cost estimate. The other button is the Cost-to-Build Report powered by StartBuild which is a more precise report offered at the affordable price of $32.95.
The Plan Collection & StartBuild
The Plan Collection has partnered with StartBuild to provide you with a more accurate estimate of what it costs to build your dream home. Given StartBuild's 20+ years of construction estimating, they understand the importance of accurate and up-to-date cost estimates.
What's Included in a Cost-to-Build Report
The Cost-to-Build report provides a highly detailed and customized construction cost estimate for your specific plan. The estimated cost to build is based on your zip code, allowing it to use material and labor costs specific to that area rather than national averages.
The report has 60+ line items across every phase of construction: site work, foundation, framing, roofing, exterior (e.g., siding, windows, doors), plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, and interior finishes (e.g., cabinets, countertops, flooring, tile, trim, paint). Since homeowners have varying preferences in materials and finishes, quality tiers — economy, standard, luxury — can be applied to further refine the build estimate.
- site work
- foundation
- framing
- roofing
- exterior
- plumbing
- electrical
- HVAC
- insulation
- drywall
- interior finishes
- economy · standard · luxury
Here are a few benefits of purchasing a Cost-to-Build Report:
Quick and easy to use. Most are ready within hours, guaranteed within two business days. You will receive your personalized Cost-to-Build Report along with 60 days of 24/7 online access and edits. Plus, you can download your Cost-to-Build Report at any time during that 60-day period so you can share it with others and reference it in the future.
More accurate estimate. You'll get a customized quote estimate based on the actual house plan, your location, your finish choices and even sweat equity contributions.
Affordable. Only $32.95 per plan.
No-risk offer. Order the Cost-to-Build Report, and when you do purchase a house plan, call or email us and we'll refund the $32.95.*
* Limit of one $32.95 credit per complete plan package order. cannot be combined with other offers. does not apply to study set purchases. Credit typically takes 2-3 business days to show up in your account.
An Interactive Tool, Not Just a PDF
Unlike most industry cost to build estimates, the Cost-to-Build Report offered with our house plans is an online, interactive tool that recalculates as you go. You can adjust line items, material choices, and assumptions after purchase for 60 days. This allows you to make adjustments to your choices to see how they impact the cost to build or realign them to fit within your budget. Of course, you can export your Cost-to-Build Report into a PDF or Excel spreadsheet for your own use or to share with a builder.
Free Building Cost Estimate Calculator: The Instant Estimator
If you are not quite ready for a Cost-to-Build Report, but would like to get a general idea as to the estimated building cost, our free cost estimate calculator, the Instant Estimator, provides an immediate cost estimate once you enter your zip code. The Instant Estimator runs on national and regional per square foot home construction data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Each house plan's free cost-to-build estimate is calculated based on living square feet, garage/shop square feet, and covered porch square feet. It can be further adjusted based upon finish class: Good, Better, Best, Custom.
- Good
- Better
- Best
- Custom
Actual costs can vary significantly from average and median cost estimates based upon the actual selection of materials and finishes made as well as specific local code and market conditions.
These cost estimates exclude site development costs such as land cost, site clearing, excavation, decks, patios, basement/crawlspace costs, and other site-related costs.
The Instant Estimator is a very rough, ballpark estimate using U.S. Census data updated annually. Because it's square-foot based, it may understate actual costs and can lag the current construction market. Use the full Cost-to-Build Report from StartBuild for real, highly accurate construction estimates.
How to Get a Cost-to-Build Estimate on Any Plan
Every house plan on our website includes a cost-to-build estimate. Browse house plans, open any plan, and look for the two cost-to-build options: the free Instant Estimator and the Cost-to-Build Report. See a plan's price and its estimated cost to build in one place. Start with the Instant Estimate for a free, quick, ballpark cost range within seconds. Ready to get more serious about the numbers? Order the Cost-to-Build Report from StartBuild for $32.95. Usually available within hours, guaranteed within two business days, it provides line-by-line detail on materials and labor.
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Open any plan
Estimate — free or $32.95
Cost-to-Build FAQ
Which house plans come with a cost to build?+
Every house plan on our website includes a cost to build, both a free cost estimate and a more-detailed Cost-to-Build Report option.
Is there a free cost-to-build estimate?+
Yes. Every house plan has a free cost to build estimate, known as the Instant Estimator. The free estimate is calculated in seconds, with no sign-up required.
How much does the Cost-to-Build Report cost?+
$32.95 per plan.
How fast will I get the report?+
Most reports are available within hours, and all are guaranteed within two business days.
How accurate are the estimates?+
The free cost estimate is a rough ballpark range using US Census data, which is updated only annually and may understate some costs. The paid Cost-to-Build Report from StartBuild uses much more current and location-specific material and labor cost information. It is more accurate with line-item detail on materials and costs, and the flexibility to adjust based upon your own choice of material options and finishes.
Will the report reflect modifications I make to the house plan?+
No. It is priced according to the original plan. We recommend you discuss the estimated cost of house plan modifications with a local lumberyard or your builder.
How much do house plans cost?+
Plan prices vary by design and the package you choose — most range from $1,000 to $1,800 for a PDF set with CAD files priced higher — all backed by our Best Price Guarantee. Note that this is the price of the plans themselves, separate from the estimated cost to build the home. Browse house plans to see the price on any design.
Know your build budget before you break ground
Browse house plans and get your cost-to-build estimate.
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