How Much Does It Cost To Build A House In Montana?

Montana is one of the western states of the US, and it is defined by its diverse terrain ranging from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. The state has its open and wide space, including a vast wilderness preserve (passes into Canada) and Glacier National Park. The state is known for its abundant mineral and natural resources, including copper, coal, manganese, gold, silver, sapphire, zink, oil, and lead.  

Montana is a good place to live in. The local cities are very peaceful, charming. And full of opportunities. The state provides direct access to the residents to wonders like Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

The market in Montana is very competitive, and the price is high. So building your own house for living is better than rent. Besides housing prices, other expenses of Montana are quite affordable. This factor makes Montana a great place to settle down. 

The Average Cost to Build a House in Montana

Depending on your chosen construction grade, $110 to $225 per square foot can be the cost to build a house in Montana. The cost doesn’t include land and site work costs in this case.

This article will give you an approximate price to build a house in Montana. After long research, we provide you with the estimation and collect pieces of information from local people and builders. You can expect to spend around $140,800 to $280,000 to build a basic house in Montana. 

You can compare the cost with other cities of USA, as for example : Alabama, Pennsylvania. Wisconsin, in order to evaluate better.

Cost to build a house depending on the chosen grade of construction

1. According to standard grade construction, home building costs in Montana will be around $110 to $145 per square foot.

2. According to premium grade construction, home building costs in Montana will be around $140 to $185 per square foot.

3. According to luxury grade construction, home building costs in Montana will be around $180 to $225 per square foot.

Type of expenses to build a house in Montana with cost

Material and labor costs are the most expensive expenses while building a home, and these costs depend upon the demand and supply of your area. 

Type of expenses  with an approximate cost

  • Excavation – $2,330 
  • Foundation – $9,060
  • Framing – $33,020
  • Roofing  – $9,300
  • Exterior siding – $11,550
  • Exterior doors and windows – $7,800
  • Plumbing – $11,060
  • HVAC – $11,290
  • Electrical – $10,180
  • Drywall $ – 15,600
  • Insulation – $5,300
  • Painting – $7,200
  • Flooring – $10,320
  • Interior and trim doors – $10,980
  • Plumbing fixtures – $3,280
  • Countertops and cabinets – $11,880
  • Lightning fixtures – $3,210
  • Appliances – $3,610

Some other expenses are – $8,610 to $11,910 for off-site living accommodation, $480 to $3,550 for house plans, $3,110 for building permits, etc. 

Expenses of off-site living

It is an exciting time to dream of building your own house. You have to consider the living expenses during the period of construction. When you plan your budget, this is a very important aspect to count. Until you move into the new house, you have to rent an affordable house. 

Building a new house can take from seven months to 24 months. The total time duration depends upon the accessibility of the site, your builder, and the availability of materials. 

Cost of plot

The first thing you have to encounter is to purchase a plot of land where you want to build your house. The land cost will vary according to the location, soil quality, view of the land, and so many innumerable factors. You can check the plot cost online or through any broker in your desired location.

Sewage and water inspection cost

After purchasing the land, you have to inspect the property for sewage and water to ensure the house’s waste drainage system and proper water supply system. This process is very important for waterfront sites and new builds. If there is an existing line near your plot, it may be cheaper. Otherwise, this process may cost upto $4,560 or more. 

Architectural fees and house plan cost

If you purchase a project with the undesired house, you have to do the deconstruction and demolition process. After this process, you need to create or buy a house plan.

You can buy a pre-designed blueprint from any online site for a minimum expense. But, if you plan to build a truly custom home with good architecture, you have to hire an architect, and it costs a lot. 9 to 15% of the total budget may go for architect fees. 

Construction management cost

To oversee the building project, you can hire a construction management firm as per the architect’s suggestion. An experienced project manager can help in the following processes – 

  • He can organize the deliveries of materials
  • Laborers can coordinate with him
  • The necessary paperwork can be done completely by him
  • He can manage the quality of craft

Local and building permit fees

Once you are done with your plans and get it on your hand, you can expect to pay the permit fees, all municipality or state fees, and impact fees. These fees have to be done before the beginning of construction. 

Some cost-affecting factors

Some cost-affecting factors that can influence the total budget are – natural characteristics, size, location, material quality, finishing, etc. some other factors are – 

1. The access

2. Building Project location is up in the hills of the city

3. Including sewer availability, power and water availability, and the presence of a septic system

4. Status of the site – steep slope or hilly, level

5. Availability of groundwater

Conclusion

Instead of buying a house, it is a good decision to build your own home in Montana. According to your budget, you can build a house with your desired choice, fittings, and custom design. You have to spend $285,200 approximately to build a house in Montana. 

When you plan to build a house in this area, it is a great idea to hire an experienced contractor. You can use the lightweight cement called perampanel, which is affordable and of standard quality. 

Compared to building a house in other places in the US, building a new house in Montana is affordable, and you can find sufficient job opportunities here. The place gives you a good education, medical and natural sites.