The average cost to frame a house is $4,537, and it usually costs between $1,409 and $7,666, depending on size, type, and labor.
When it comes to framing a house, you should budget for between $1,409 and $7,666. If you’ve dreamed of building a house, one of the less dreamy elements is framing it. While framing your home might not be the most picturesque stage of home building, it’s one of the most important. Learn more about the cost of framing a house and what may impact the price.
The biggest cost factors involved in framing a house are the size, materials, type, and labor. Here’s a closer look at each of these factors.
The average cost of framing per square foot is approximately $7 to $16. However, you may pay significantly less if you’re framing a garage or significantly more if you’re framing a multi-level house. In these cases, you may pay $4 to $5 or $10 to $19 per square foot, respectively.
| Square Footage | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $7,000–$16,000 |
| 1,500 | $10,500–$24,000 |
| 2,000 | $14,000–$32,000 |
| 2,500 | $17,500–$40,000 |
| 3,000 | $21,000–$48,000 |
You’ll pay between $3 and $6 per square foot for the materials to frame a house. Lumber costs around $1 to $5 per square foot, while steel framing costs between $2 and $4 per square foot. While steel is slightly more affordable for the materials, it requires more hardware to construct and is heavier, making it $1.50 more per square foot to install.
| Framing Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $1–$5 |
| Steel | $2–$4 |
The cost to frame your house varies from $4 to $16 per square foot on average and depends largely on the type of framing project you choose. Full-house framing comes in at the highest point of the price range, and smaller projects like roof and garage framing come in toward the bottom end of the price range.
Windows will increase the cost of your structure because they require extra materials like studs, headers, window sills, and caulking that add up.
The cost of labor for framing your house ranges from $4 to $10 per square foot. If you live in a rural area, you might spend closer toward the lower end of the price range, while if you live in a city with a high demand for materials, you could find yourself paying more per square foot.
Making any changes to the framing after the installation can increase the cost of your project. You’ll need to account for the additional time your installers need to commit to changing the project and the cost of new materials. This cost can vary depending on what changes you want to make.
A new frame costs less than replacing existing structures within a home because you have to account for the demolition costs and the new materials in an existing structure, whereas you only need to account for the new frame in a new construction. The average cost to demolish a house is between $4 and $15 per square foot.
You’ll spend $2 to $24 more to frame a commercial property than you would a residential property. The main reason behind this is that most commercial constructions require a stronger frame material like steel to support the building.
Beyond framing an entire house, several types of home frames could lower the cost of your project per square foot. Here’s a breakdown of the price of framing a home by the type of framework.
| Type of Home Framing | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Full-house framing | $7–$16 |
| Home addition | $6–$10 |
| Interior walls | $7–$12 |
| Garage framing | $4–$5 |
| Basement framing | $10–$16 |
| Roof framing | $6–$9 |
| Roof trusses | $1.50–$4.50 |
| Home sheathing | $2–$8 |
Framing an entire home costs between $7 and $16 per square foot. So, a standard 2,000-square-foot home costs between $14,000 and $32,000. Framing a two-story house costs $3 per square foot more than a single-story house, so you’ll need to factor in this additional cost if you plan to install a multi-story home.
The price to frame a home addition ranges between $6 and $10 per square foot on average. For a standard 750-square-foot addition, you’ll pay between $4,500 and $7,500. The more complex the design, the higher the price will fall in the cost range.
Framing interior walls costs between $7 and $12 per square foot to install. This price is significantly more than framing exterior walls, which may only cost you $2 to $5 per square foot on average. If you’re building frames on existing interior walls, you’ll likely pay more because your pro will need to consider your current build and take precautions to keep your home clean.
The cost to frame garages falls between $4 and $5 per square foot. Remember that large, detached garages will cost more to frame than an attached garage because of the extra materials that go into building the structure.
Basement framing costs between $10 and $16 per square foot, or a total of $1,200 on average. The size and type of framework you choose for your basement determine the price. Precast panel framing costs the most, while poured concrete framing costs the least.
The cost to frame a roof falls between $6 and $9 per square foot on average. The more simplistic the design, the lower the cost. If your plan has many angles, valleys, and dormers, anticipate spending more.
The cost to install roof trusses will be between $1.50 and $4.50 per square foot. Shorter trusses shorter will cost less than trusses that exceed 36 feet in length. Roof trusses are structural frameworks that serve as an aesthetic and supportive system for your roof.
The average cost to add sheathing to your home is between $2 and $8 per square foot. This material covers the frame and allows you to add materials to your home’s walls.
The labor alone makes up 40% of the total price to frame a house. By doing the installation yourself, you could save a significant amount. However, these savings may negate themselves when you account for the extra time it takes you to complete the project, the sheer physical cost, and the energy that goes into managing a project of this magnitude.
Additionally, most people don’t have the appropriate experience or knowledge required to safely frame a home. The results of a botched DIY can be costly and dangerous.
For the above reasons, it’s best to hire framing contractors or a general contractor near you to oversee the construction of your home’s frame. Not only will trusting in a pro to do the job give you peace of mind, but it could also prevent you from making costly errors that could result in safety hazards, wasted materials, lost time, and failed inspections.
Building a house can feel like a large investment—and that’s because it is! Fortunately, there are ways you can save on the cost to frame a house. Here are some tips on how to reduce costs.
Design a simple floor plan.
Choose smaller square footage.
Build up rather than out to save on roof and foundation costs.
Choose high-quality wood over steel.
Avoid vaulted ceilings and complex roof designs.
Choose pre-cut studs to save on custom expenses.
Use cut-off pieces for joists and other filler sections.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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The best way to calculate framing costs is by basing your costs on the square footage of your home. On average, framing your home could cost anywhere between $7 and $16 per square foot.
To ensure you don’t go over budget, base your estimates on the higher end of the price range. If you know you’re going to use high-end materials or require a custom or complex build, you might even want to tack on an additional 5% of your budget.
Framing most homes takes anywhere between five and eight weeks to complete. You’ll need to account for inclement weather conditions, material shipment times, the number of crew members, and the weight of your materials. If the weather is too hot, wet, or cold for the installation, this process could take closer to eight weeks.
Stick frames, metal frames, or prefabricated concrete frames are included in framing a house, along with creating the framework and space for windows, doors, and entryways. Other aspects of developing a home—like drywall, insulation, windows, doors, and more—are not included in the cost to frame a house.
House framing can be expensive because the materials are pricey, and the job requires a high level of expertise. The more complex the plans, the more expensive the job, but even the most basic frame needs to be installed with high-quality materials and precision. When pricing your home’s framework, remember that a sturdy frame is necessary to create a safe structure.
