A duplex is an exciting style of home that can house two families rather than one. If you’re interested in building one for yourself, you might wonder how much it costs. What is the price tag that comes with the successful creation of this space?
What Is A Duplex Home?
A duplex home is a space built to hold multiple families. Rather than providing a home for one group, a duplex gives two areas for families to live inside. The house shares a wall, but each side of the home is a separate living space.
Sometimes, a duplex splits into a left home and a right home. Other times, the top floor and bottom floor are different spaces. It’s an upgrade from an apartment or condo, but not as fancy as owning a traditional separated home.
Costs To Build a Duplex
- Materials Cost: $40 - $60 per square foot
- Labor Cost: $100+ per square foot
- Other Costs
On average, it costs about $95-$220 per square foot to build a duplex. Let’s discuss the specifics that factor into that price.
1. Materials Cost: $40 - $60 per square foot
There is plenty of variety in the cost of materials when constructing a duplex. You can select a one-story duplex, a two-story duplex, and a side-by-side duplex. Each uses different materials, which factors into the average mentioned above.
No matter which style you decide to invest in, there are many materials you can expect to pay for with your creation. A few of these include:
- Wood, which costs about $5.00 per square foot
- Flooring, which costs about $8.00 per square foot
- Foundation, which costs about $10.00 per square foot
- Windows, which cost about $200 per window
- Doors, which cost about $300 per door
- Paint, which costs about $30 per gallon
- Roofing, which costs about $4.00 per square foot
- Siding, which costs about $5.00 per square foot
These are just a few materials costs you can anticipate.
Materials that make up a home account for a significant portion of the cost of building a duplex. Another portion is labor costs, which we will dive into next.
2. Labor Cost: $100+ per square foot
When you build a duplex, there are several labor costs associated with the construction process. These can add to the cost of materials to help approximate the cost.
Here are a few of the costs you can expect for laborers to build the home. You will need a:
- Architects, which cost about $5,000
- Plumbers, which cost about $10,000
- Carpenters, who cost about $10.00 per square foot
- Contractors, who cost about $85 per square foot
- Painters, who cost about $3,000
- Electricians, which cost about $3,000
- Excavators, which cost about $3,500
These are just a few of the people you will need to pay to create a duplex.
Labor and materials make up most of the costs of creating a duplex. However, there are also some price tags you should look at before committing.
3. Other Costs
The two costs mentioned above make up most of the fees you will pay. However, you should also think about a few other things.
Some extra costs that might come into play include:
- Land price: Land can vary depending on the type and the location.
- State: Certain states have higher taxes than others.
- Layout: The layout of the duplex may make it more or less expensive.
These can add to your overall cost.
These factors are not the only ones that can affect the cost. Let’s talk about a few more things that you should expect.
Other Factors That Influence the Cost To Build a Duplex
Several other factors might influence the cost of the duplex. These are also critical to consider when determining how much money you need to set aside for creating this space.
Some of the other factors that might influence the cost include:
- Need to demolish: You will pay more if there is an existing home you need to destroy ahead of time.
- Interior design: An interior designer can make the space beautiful.
- Technology: Want a smart home? Technology installation is extra.
- Garages: Are you going to provide a space for cars or leave them in the driveway?
These can make your cost go up or down, depending on which factors you choose to include or exclude.
If you want to make a bare-bones duplex, it won’t cost you as much as if you decide to include complex technology or interior design features. Building on an empty lot will also be cheaper than demolishing an existing home. Consider these before you commit to the build.
Duplex Build Cost Bottom Line
The cost of building a duplex will depend on several factors, including the square footage, location, materials used, and finishes. You can expect to pay between $150 to $300 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the design and the cost of labor in your area. You should consult with a local contractor to get a more accurate estimate for duplex construction costs in your area.
Cost of Building a Duplex FAQ
1. How much do you have to put down to build a duplex?
Typically, you need to put about 15% down when building a duplex. It’s a little more than you would pay if building a traditional family home for one group to occupy.
2. How big of a lot do you need to build a duplex?
To build a duplex, you need a lot that is at least 2.5 times bigger than the area, with 3.5 being the ideal size. You’ll have plenty of room with this size lot.
3. Is building a duplex worth it?
A duplex is an excellent investment because you make more rental income on one than a similarly sized single-family home. Duplexes have the potential for high returns for investors.
4. Is it cheaper to build a house or duplex?
It costs more to build a duplex most of the time. However, a duplex will generate more rental income than a single-family home, which is why they are popular with investors.
5. How do I start building a duplex?
Check your local building codes and see if there’s room in the area. Acquire land and materials for the building process. Finally, design the duplex and contract out the work to get started.