House Framing Cost Factors
The frame is the single most expensive part of a new home, and framing costs aren’t based on square footage alone. The total cost to frame a house will vary depending on a variety of contributing factors.
Size & Complexity
Size matters because contractors estimate per square foot. However, it matters far less than complexity. The more complex your building plans, the more you can expect to pay for house framing. Every intersecting wall requires more studs, increasing your material costs. Extra slopes and valleys add even more time and materials.
For example, framing a simple,
3,000-square-foot home
estimated at
$4 per square foot
only costs
$12,000,
while framing for a complex,
2,000-square-foot
, two-story home estimated at
$9 per square foot
has a higher total price of
$18,000
.
Residential vs. Commercial
The cost to frame commercial properties is higher than for residential homes at a range
$12 to $40 per square foot
including labor, installation, and insulation. This is, in part, because most commercial buildings use steel construction rather than wood.
Changes
If you decide to make any changes after framing has begun, it will increase the price. Increases depend on many variables specific to each project—making a general estimate for this guide impossible. Simple changes like adding a door, moving the location of a window, or adding loads to a second floor all affect the final bill. Try to keep these changes to a minimum.
Labor
Labor for house framing costs
$4 to $10 per square foot
. In urban areas, expect to pay on the higher end of this range. In areas with high demand, you may even pay a little more. The size of the project significantly impacts the cost of installation. Some professionals charge per square foot rather than the amount of time a project takes. Regardless, bigger homes take longer and require more materials.
Windows
When framing a house, windows are considered obstructions with special framing requirements that can increase costs. For example, there needs to be header material installed over all windows in a wall.
New Structure vs. Replacement
Replacing all or part of older framing on an existing home comes with additional costs. On top of the materials and installation required for new structures, replacement also requires the
cost of home demolition
.
For example, new roof construction often costs less than replacing a roof at an average of
$20 per hour for labor
plus
$3 to $6 per square foot in materials
. Replacing an old roof frame requires an additional
$4 to $15 per square foot
on top of those costs.
Framing Material Prices
Framing materials run from
$3 to $6 per square foot
. Since lumber pricing fluctuates, it can be tough to predict costs in advance. You'll pay
$350 to $500 for 1,000 board feet of lumber
. Metal framing costs historically tend to run a bit higher than wood by about 10%. Check with your local lumber yard or general contractor for local pricing.
Lumber Frame
Lumber costs
$1 to $5 per square foot
with overages for waste ranging from 15% to 20%. A 2,000-square-foot home comes in at
$2,000 to $10,000 in materials
. For sheathing, add an additional 15% to 22%. Lumber is easy to work with, quick to install, and lasts the life of the home.
Steel Frame
Steel framing costs
$2 to $4 per square foot
or about
$4,000 to $8,000
for a 2,000-square-foot home. Some homes use steel, but it's most common in commercial construction. Steel installation labor is also slightly more expensive at
$1.50 more per square foot
. Steel is extremely durable, has a lower environmental impact, and holds up better against termites.
How to Estimate Framing Costs
To come up with a rough estimate for framing costs, a contractor will commonly look at a building plan to determine the complexity of the job. This may be based on details like specific angles, windows, or roofing elements that deviate from a standard box frame or A-frame. Based on this assessment, they will apply a price per square foot.
When receiving detailed bids, ask contractors to break out costs as line items. They should include insurance, travel expenses, waste, materials, labor, tools, equipment, and administrative expenses such as legal and accounting fees.