What Does It Cost To Frame A House In 2024?

If you’re planning to build a new house, you might wonder how much house framing costs. According to Angi , the average cost to frame a house is between $7 and $16 per square foot. Rough-out framing for simple projects like a garage addition is on the lower end of the range while framing projects for custom builds are on the higher end.

Several factors determine the cost of framing a house, including the size of the house, labor costs in your area, materials needed, and any special requirements. The cost also depends on the current price of materials in your region, the contractor you hire, and the complexity of your design. Let’s discuss the average cost of framing a house in 2024 and what factors to consider when calculating it.

The price for framing a house includes materials and labor. Labor costs typically range between $4 and $10 per square foot, while materials run between $3 and $6 per square foot. If house framing services are in high demand or your project is in an urban area, labor costs will likely be higher.

The costs for framing a house include building the stick frames that will become the home's walls. These frames include rough-out holes for doors and windows and are made from a series of 2x4 boards. House framing costs do not include building walls, drywall, insulation, or Tyvek.

Your contractor can add these services for an additional charge. For example, exterior sheathing costs may range between $2 and $8 per square foot. 

The average new home is about 2,261 square feet. The total building cost of a typical 2,000-square-foot house is $300,000. The framing alone costs between $14,000 and $32,000. Exterior sheathing and wrap can be added to the framing job for an additional $2 to $8 per square foot. If you are building a two-story home, expect to pay an additional $3 per square foot when building the second story.

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If you want to add or change your existing space's layout by adding walls, the framing costs vary depending on the type of project. Here are some common costs for different types of framing projects, according to Angi:

•  Basement framing:  $10 to $16 per square foot

•  Garage framing:  $4 to $5 per square foot

•  Interior walls in existing structures:  $7 to $12 per square foot

•  Roof framing:  $6 to $9 per square foot

•  Roof trusses:  $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot

•  Home Sheathing:  $2 to $8 per square foot

•  Home addition framing: $6 to $10 per square foot

•  Full house framing: Between $18,500 and $27,500 total

The cost of framing an attached or detached garage can be quite affordable. These structures are simple to build and should cost between $4 and $5 per square foot.

If you are adding new walls inside an existing home, the price for framing starts to increase. Adding new interior walls is more expensive because they require more planning, and you have to work within the existing space. You can expect to pay between $7 and $12 per square foot for interior re-framing.

Framing a roof with sticks (2x4 lumber) costs between $6 and $9 per square foot. You can also frame a roof with roof trusses.

A trussed roof is built from a series of A-frame trusses assembled off-site and transported to the building site. Each A-frame truss includes a series of rafters, joists, and jacks. Most residential building trusses are made primarily from wood with metal hardware. Roof trusses cost between $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.

For home sheathing, you’ll pay an additional $2 to $8 for each square foot. Your contractors will install the sheathing to add a structural element to your home. They’ll also often use house wraps, like Tyvek and Typar, for another $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot. These house wraps act as weather-resistant barriers to protect the sheathing.

On average, a 2,000-square-foot home will cost between $18,500 and $27,500 to fully frame. You can add an extra $4,000 to $16,000 if you include sheathing and a house wrap.

Framing costs make up just a portion of your home addition’s total cost. These costs vary drastically depending on the materials used and the overall design of your addition. 

For example, framing a 750-square-foot addition would cost between $4,500 and $7,500, but the total project cost would range from $60,000 to $157,500.

Depending on your addition plans, you might also need to hire a structural engineer or an architect to determine the best placement before moving on to framing.

Simple structures are always easier and less expensive to frame. However, if your building project is more complex, your labor and material costs will increase. When estimating the cost to frame a house, homeowners should consider the following variables that will affect the project's total costs.

In most cases, house framing projects consist of framing an entire home. However, there are smaller house framing projects that will vary in cost by the square foot.

For example, framing an entire home costs $7 to $16 per square foot. In comparison, smaller projects, like home additions, may only cost $6 to $10 per square foot. 

Other projects, such as garage framing, are more affordable and can cost between $4 and $5 per square foot, whereas framing a basement can cost $10 to $16 per square foot.

Since framing projects are determined by the square foot, the larger the project, the more it will cost. While the average cost per square foot is between $7 and $16, it will cost more to frame a 3,000-square-foot home versus a 1,000-square-foot home. 

The higher costs simply result from an increase in labor hours and materials. Plus, larger homes can be more complex to frame, increasing costs. 

However, if you have a smaller home with a very complex design, it may cost more to frame than a larger, simpler home.

The two main types of framing materials are lumber and metal. The total project cost will differ depending on which framing material you choose.

Lumber is a common choice because it is easy to work with and a good insulator. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $11 and $32 per square foot for wood stud framing.

Steel is another popular framing material due to its incredible durability and ability to support more weight than lumber. It is also more resistant to insects, fire, and moisture rot. 

According to homeguide, metal stud framing costs between $17 and $32 per square foot. 

Complex building projects cost more — in every aspect of construction, not just framing. For example, intersecting walls require more studs, which increases material and labor costs.

Simple squares are relatively easy to build. However, architectural details like slopes and valleys are significantly more difficult, which means more time and higher labor costs. 

While the size and type of project are important factors for calculating framing costs, complexity is the main reason for high costs. When determining a budget, homeowners need to consider the complexity of the framing project.

Pinpointing an exact labor cost without getting an estimate first can be challenging. That’s because several factors influence labor costs.

Complex projects will incur higher labor costs because they require more manpower and time. The region you live in can also affect project costs. For example, homeowners in rural areas will likely pay less for labor than those in urban areas.

Who you hire will also affect the total cost of labor. A well-established company will typically be more expensive than a brand-new company just starting out.

While residential framing costs range between $7 and $16 per square foot, commercial framing is more expensive. You can expect to pay $2 to $24 per square foot more for commercial framing projects. In addition, most commercial buildings use steel rather than wood, which increases framing costs.

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Changes to your plans can cause house framing costs to skyrocket. Once the framing project has begun, any changes will impact its progress and price. Even minor changes, like adding a door or window, can significantly change the final price.

Most contractors work with a formula to determine framing costs. They will start by reviewing the building plans. Then, based on the project's complexity, the contractor will choose a price level based on a “per square foot” price. The contractor then uses a formula to provide an estimate based on current material and labor prices.

The biggest factors affecting the cost of a framing job are materials and complexity. Simple structures like garages and interior walls to finish an existing basement tend to cost less than new constructions. The cost of framing typically only involves building the wall or roof frames. You will also need insulation, utilities, sheetrock, exterior sheathing, and wrap to finish the job. To get an accurate quote on a framing job, ensure that your contractor has all the information on building plans and materials and try to avoid making any changes once construction begins.

My Site Plan can provide many of the plans you need for your next building project, including site plans, 3D renderings, and more. Contact us today to get started!