In today’s fluctuating housing market, understanding home construction costs is more critical than ever. Knowing the ins and outs of custom home costs will help you make informed decisions and avoid surprises. With new questions emerging like “Will building costs go down in 2025?” we’ll help you break down what truly impacts your bottom line.
Gerber Homes is happy to use our expertise to walk you through the average costs of building a home in Upstate NY, the key expenses to consider, and how to calculate a realistic budget for your custom dream home. Let’s answer your biggest questions about custom home construction and help you plan for success.
We’re actually kind of glad when someone wants to dig into price upfront because anyone who jumps into the home-building process without considering the cost is probably headed for trouble. Talking about the cost of building a home is a reasonable and responsible thing to do—and we’re happy to do it.
The housing market in Rochester, NY, remains highly competitive. The median listing price for homes is approximately $179,900, reflecting a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. However, the median sale price is higher, at around $221,000.
When planning a custom home in Upstate New York, understanding the factors influencing cost is essential. From land preparation to design choices, each decision impacts your budget. After you purchase your home site, a reasonable starting point to build your custom home construction is about $200 per square foot, depending on size, finishes, and location. You will also pay for site development. This is extra and can range from $25,000-$60,000 if you're building on raw land.
Why is there such a range? While several factors can affect a home’s cost, the difference in cost usually comes down to two main factors: the complexity of the home’s design and the materials used.
At the risk of oversimplifying things, simple designs are easier to construct. A basic rectangle takes less time and material to construct than something with a lot of angles. Fewer materials and less labor mean lower costs. While ranch homes provide convenience and a seamless layout, two-story homes are often better for maximizing value on smaller lots. Ultimately, your decision will depend on your priorities, whether it’s single-level living or staying within budget. The bottom line? Even if you have two homes that are 3,000 square feet in size, the home that is less complicated to build will cost less.
Want more information about building your custom home? Our complimentary custom home guide is here for you!
Since the kitchen is one of the more expensive rooms to build in a house, let’s use it as an illustration. Granite countertops cost more than laminate countertops. Hardwood or stone flooring costs more than vinyl flooring. Solid wood cabinets cost considerably more than fiberboard cabinets. A natural stone sink will cost more than a basic stainless steel sink. It’s not just the materials themselves that are more expensive. Some materials are harder to work with and require much expertise, influencing their ultimate cost.
Construction material prices play a huge part in your overall cost. The price of construction materials is expected to rise at a slower, steadier pace than during the spikes we saw a few years ago, but costs for construction materials are not expected to fall at all. If you're waiting for a lower price on your materials, you may be waiting indefinitely.
One of the biggest factors that can cause homebuilding prices to vary is customer-requested changes. It’s not wrong to request changes after you've made your selections, and it doesn’t have to be overly expensive. But making a lot of changes—particularly after construction has started—can drive the cost of your home up. Here’s a helpful article about how to control cost creep when building your home.
When deciding between building a custom home and purchasing new construction, the key difference is flexibility. With a custom home, you have full control over the design, finishes, and layout to match your vision. For buyers seeking a quicker move-in, we also offer new homes for sale. All of our floor plans are fully customizable, allowing you to personalize every detail to fit your lifestyle while still enjoying a streamlined building process. Here are some of Gerber's fan-favorite floor plans. We'll show you around each one so that you can start to narrow down the elements you're after and learn how to evaluate the salient details in a proposed floor plan.
If you’re looking for a home to accommodate your growing family, The Buchanan is an excellent choice. Pricing for the 2,583-square-foot home begins in the low $400s (plus fees for the lot and site work) and includes four bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The first floor features a large foyer, a spacious kitchen that opens to the great room and dining area, and a separate study. A generously sized master bedroom suite includes a huge master closet, luxurious bathroom, and comfortable sitting area.
Have you ever toured a new home and noticed that the primary bedroom suite ate up nearly all the space on the second floor? That’s certainly not the case with The Buchanan. Secondary bedrooms are 12’ by 12’ or larger, providing plenty of room for your kids or guests to spread out.
Are you planning on living in your new construction during your golden years? We offer a variety of single-floor homes that make it easy to remain in your home even if you face mobility challenges as you get older. The 1640-square-foot Boise is priced from the low-$300s (plus lot and site fees) and offers a large open kitchen and dining room, impressive great room with a fireplace and tray ceiling, two-car garage, first-floor laundry room, master bedroom suite with twin sinks in the bathroom, two additional bedrooms, and a second bathroom.
The Tallahassee provides 2,440 square feet of living space, including a 590-square-foot in-law suite, and is priced in the high $300Ks. The main part of the house features an open plan kitchen and breakfast area, expansive great room, powder room, and laundry room. Upstairs are two guest rooms and a large master bedroom suite with tray ceilings. The in-law suite located behind the garage includes a fully-equipped kitchen, living/dining room, and private bedroom and bath.
When you're ready to start the conversation that ends in your dream home, we'd love to talk to you. Gerber's ready to put our decades of experience and impeccable skills to work for you. Let's create your dream home in Rochester, NY together!