Materials typically make up roughly half to 70% of the cost of building a house, so a 2,000 sq ft home at the 2026 US median of $166 per sq ft (about $332,000) includes very roughly $166,000 to $232,000 of materials. The biggest material costs are lumber and framing, cabinets and countertops, siding or brick, concrete, roofing, flooring and drywall.
What are the biggest material costs in a new house?
NAHB’s 2024 survey reports these average costs. They include installation, so they are not material-only prices, but they show where the money goes.
| Item | NAHB 2024 average (installed) |
|---|---|
| Framing stage (lumber, trusses, sheathing, connectors) | $70,982 |
| Siding or brick | $24,450 |
| Cabinets and countertops | $19,056 |
| Roofing | $16,732 |
| Flooring | $15,388 |
| Drywall | $13,962 |
| Interior trim, doors and mirrors | $12,920 |
| Paint | $11,150 |
| Plumbing fixtures | $7,922 |
| Appliances | $7,499 |
| Insulation | $6,992 |
| Lighting | $5,392 |
Materials vs labor
Labor is commonly estimated at roughly 30% to 50% of construction cost, depending on the trade, region and how much of the house is prefabricated. NAHB does not split labor from materials. Framing, drywall, painting and finish carpentry are the most labor-heavy stages; cabinets, appliances and fixtures are mostly material cost.
How can you save on materials?
- Choose a simple shape: rectangles and simple roofs waste less lumber and sheathing.
- Use standard sizes: design to standard lumber, sheet and window sizes.
- Pick finishes carefully: interior finishes are 24.1% of construction cost, the stage you control most.
- Buy at the right time: lumber prices are volatile; ask your builder about price-lock options.
- Consider factory-built: modular and barndominium builds reduce material waste.
Frequently asked questions
How much lumber does it take to build a house?
It depends on the plan; your builder’s framing take-off gives the exact quantity. Framing was $70,982 of an average $428,215 build in NAHB’s 2024 survey.
More cost breakdowns
- Full cost breakdown by stage
- Foundation cost
- Framing cost
- Roofing cost
- Electrical wiring cost
- Material cost
- Land cost
- Septic system cost
- Well drilling cost
- Driveway cost
- House plans cost
Sources
- NAHB: Cost of Constructing a Home in 2024 (survey published January 2025)
- Pennsylvania Association of Realtors: summary of NAHB 2024 cost figures (dollar amounts per stage)
- Autodesk: How much does it cost to build a house in 2026? (state totals for a 2,000 sq ft home, based on Today’s Homeowner data; the $166/sq ft US median used on this site)