Calculating how much it’ll cost to take your dream home from concept to completion is arguably the most important aspect of a successful project.Mark Stevensontakes a look at what will impact your budget to ensure a smooth build from start to finish

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If you’re planning on building your own home, your first question should, and is likely to be, “how much will it actually cost to build?” The answer, however, depends on several different factors, including the size and complexity of the house, its location, the specification and how you’ll manage the building project.

A larger, more complicated self build will naturally cost more in materials, labour and time. The location of the home matters, too, as some areas in the UK have higher construction costs due to demand for trades and materials. Specification also plays a big part, and highend finishes or bespoke features push up prices, while a simpler, less complex scheme helps keep spending down. Your chosen build route is another key factor: self-managing the project yourself or taking on some of the work on a DIY basis can help save money; whilst hiring a main contractor or a turnkey provider will offer convenience but is likely to increase your overall costs.

How much does it cost build a house?

One of the best ways to get an idea of your build cost is by looking at the price per m² of completed floor space, otherwise known as the gross internal floor area (GIA). In 2025, an average self build is likely to cost £2,500 per m2 . However, this is just a guideline. A cost-conscious, self-managed bespoke home project could come in as low as £2,200 per m2 , while a high-end build with intricate detailing could easily exceed £2,800 per m2 . Of course, some of you may well be working to much higher budgets – Build It has seen plenty of superspec projects costing £6,000+ per m2 .