How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Montana? MT 2022

5/5 - (39 votes)

Montana is known as the “Land Of Shining Mountain” or “Big Sky Country” and is a land of hills, rivers, and natural resources. It is full of natural beauty. Like other states in the US, the house building cost in Montana (MT) is on the rise but it is still affordable.

If you have a moderate budget to build a house and want to have relief from urban life, and traffic, and live a peaceful life, Montana is the best place to settle down. If you want to shift here permanently, housing is the main tension. In this article, we tried to give details about house-building costs in Montana (MT) for your better understanding.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Montana
How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Montana, MT

How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Montana?

In the year 2022, The average cost of building a house in Montana is around $300,000 to $600,000 or even more. It can take around 6 to 10 months to build a house in Montana depending on the weather. The labor cost in Montana is low compared to other states.

Montana house construction may cost between $140 and $260 per square foot in 2022. The cost can go up to $520 if you choose to build a custom home in Montana, MT. It varies from place to place depending on the size, design, and availability of labor.

Montana House Building Cost Summary

The following table provides an estimate of how much it will cost to construct a new house in Montana (MT) in 2022:

Building Permit Cost$1,300-$3,400
Montana Land Cost$100,000-$1,000,000
Single-family House$316,000-$587,860
Per Square Foot Average Cost$140-$520

House Building Cost in Top 10 Cities of Montana, MT

Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman are the most popular cities in this state. The following are the average house building costs per square footage in Montana’s (MT) 10 most popular cities recently.

City NamePrice Range
Anaconda$135-$210
Havre$140-$220
Belgrade$138-$224
Helena$145-$227
Missoula$162-$235
Great Falls$165-$240
Kalispell$167-$247
Butte$170-$250
Billings$175-$255
Bozeman$180-$260

Please note that this is only the basic construction cost estimated by your experts. If you add land buying costs and other related costs the total cost could be more.

Related: What is the Average Cost to Build a House in Alabama?

Cost Summary for Constructing Different Size Houses in Montana 2022

Here is the cost summary for building different size houses in Montana using the per square foot building cost. This is the only basic cost, not including the land buying and preparation cost.

Home SizeMinimum CostMaximum CostAverage Cost
500 sq ft$70,000$130,000$100,000
1000 sq ft$140,000$260,000$200,000
1500 sq ft$210,000$390,000$300,000
2000 sq ft$280,000$520,000$400,000
2500 sq ft$350,000$650,000$500,000
3000 sq ft$420,000$780,000$600,000
3500 sq ft$490,000$910,000$700,000
4000 sq ft$560,000$1,040,000$800,000
4500 sq ft$630,000$1,170,000$900,000
5000 sq ft$700,000$1,300,000$1,000,000
5500 sq ft$770,000$1,430,000$1,100,000
6000 sq ft$840,000$1,560,000‬$1,200,000‬

Note: According to a current study, Montana’s house value has risen 28.6% in the last year and they predict it will go up this year too. Price increases $20 or more square foot increase over last year. If you are willing to build a house in this current labor shortage, and price surge situation, be prepared to pay extra costs.

Related: How Much is the Average Cost Per Square Foot to Build a House in Austin Texas?

How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Kalispell, Montana?

The average per square foot cost to build a house in Kalispell is $143 to $247 in the last few years. So for a 2000 sq ft house, you have to spend around $286,000 to $494,000 for 2022.

The city of Kalispell is an excellent place to live. The scenery is absolutely stunning. People here are friendly and kind- except those who would like to keep it small. As the county seat and commercial heart of Flathead County, Kalispell serves as its county seat.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Oregon Per Square Foot?

12 Important Cost Factors for Building a House in Montana, MT 2022

There are many cost factors included in the total cost and every individual can affect the total building cost. In the cost summary, we only estimate the basic construction cost. Now we will try to discuss all the cost factors including the pre-building cost to build a house in Montana (MT).

1. The Land Cost

The price of lots in Montana has increased greatly during the last two decades. A typical acre of land cost $887 in the early 2000s. In 2018, it cost $2,066 on average. It is 2022 and people are shifting from urban cities. It increases the demand for Montana’s land and this demand increases the price.

You may need to spend on average $2,500 per square foot or around $100,000 to $1 million or more depending on the size, location, and facilities of the land in Montana. Location influences the land cost much. Like if you want to buy land in Bozeman you have to spend more compared to other cities in Montana.

The maximum cost you need to pay for the labor and buying the materials. In the below, we explain the main house building costs. It will be easy for you to understand with an example. In this part, we will discuss the detailed cost of building a common type of house with an average size of 2000 sq ft in Montana.

Related: What is the Average Price Per Square Foot to Build a House in Kentucky?

2. Building Permit Cost in Montana

We need to take permission before starting any work on the land. You must submit the building plan and project review along with a fee in order to obtain a building permit. Here is a piece of detailed information about building permits in Montana from the official website: https://mt.gov/ below:

Typically, it takes the authority three weeks to analyze a project and issue a permit if it determines it is safe for the public, property, and energy conservation. Installation of the electronic system and the plumbing system also requires approval. It can cost between $1,300 and $3,400 in recent times.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Missouri Per Square Foot?

3. Land Preparing Cost

Basic house building work starts with preparing and selecting the proper space for digging foundation holes. For this job, you need to appoint a surveyor. He will survey the land with his survey tools and find out the best places to start digging holes for the foundation.

The average cost to hire a surveyor in Montana is around $360 to $600. There can be big trees, massive rocks or stone, or something like that. For moving all this from the land and appointing a surveyor, you may need to cost around $5,500 to $12,000 or more.

Related: What is the Average Cost Per Square Foot to Build a House in Colorado Mountains?

4. Foundation Cost in Montana

Any house cannot be built without a foundation. Hole digging is the first step in constructing a foundation. Digging foundation holes and doing foundation walls can cost you $2,000 to $10,000 and overall found costs cost can go up to $50,000. (Including labor and material cost).

The cost of pouring and backfilling is around $15,000 to $30,000 in Montana. Basement cost mostly depends on the size cost increases with the increase in size. Or you can go for crawl space. It can slightly reduce the cost.

Related: How Much Does it Cost Per Square Foot to Build a House in Pennsylvania?

5. Material Buying Cost

Material is the major cost factor. To complete the building job you need to buy different types of materials. Materials costs are rising every day. Prices range from $80,000 to $16,000 on average over the last few years in MT. Montana has a shortage of materials, which increases the cost of materials in almost every city.

To complete the building job you need to buy different types of materials. Materials costs are rising every day. In a report released by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research, lumber costs increased by nearly 150% from the beginning of 2020 to September 2020, a record high that was attained again in 2021.

According to the report, Montana’s lumber production fell 10.8% in 2020 compared to 2019. NbcMontana.com reported that the prices were $20 more per square foot than before. We highly recommended you do not comprise the quality of the material. High-quality materials will ensure the durability of the house.

Note: You will have to pay more for the extra cost of quality materials. Also, the size, design, and location of the house affect the material cost.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Cost Per Sq Ft to Build a House in Arizona?

6. Labor Cost in Montana

Cost of labor is another big cost factor that directly affects the total cost. In the last few years, there is a shortage of labor in Montana and the current pandemic and supply chain makes the situation more difficult. It is predicted that labor costs will grow more.

According to the Department of Labor and Industry minimum wage in Montana has increased by 45 cents at the beginning of January 2022 and the current minimum wage is $9.20 per house. It is predicted that labor costs will grow more. A percentage increase in the labor cost will directly affect the total building cost.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House Yourself Per Square Foot?

7. Paint, Design &  Planning Cost

In Montana painting, designing, and planning the house can cost you around $17,600 to $32,300 in 2022. You can do the job on your own. It will save you money. But if you want a professional touch, you need to appoint an engineer, architect, and house designer.

Here is the cost summary for individual costs:

House Designer$50-$200 per hour
Architect Cost$100-$220 per hour
Engineer Cost$120-$250 per hour

Related: What is the Average Cost to Build a 1500 sq ft House in Oklahoma?

8. Framing Cost in Montana

Framing cost mostly depends on the types of material you use for the frem. It can be metal, concrete, or wood log. According to the survey report, metal framing cost 15% more compared to wood framing.

According to ScienceDirect, a disaster-resistant wood frame will cost you 20% to 30% more compared to standard wood-frame construction.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Connecticut, CT?

9. Interior Finishing Cost

According to the report of NAHB, interior finishing can cost up to 25% of the total cost. For constructing a 2000-square-foot home, interior finishing can cost you around $80,000 to $120,000 in the past few years in Montana.

All the costs included in the interior finishing, are broken down below for your better understanding.

Type of Cost FactorPrice Range
Paint and Wall Finishes Cost$11,000-$17,030
Drywall Insulation and Poly$18,000- 32,000
Flooring Cost$20,600-$35,000
Millwork (Bathroom Cabinets & Storage, Bedroom & Kitchen)$27,000-$51,000

Related: How Much Per Square Foot to Build a House in Michigan?

10. Roof, Window, and Door Cost

Roof installation in the house can cost you around $11,000 to $33,000 or more depending on the size of the roof and the quality of the shingle in Montana (MT). An asphalt roof can cost you between $5 and $10 per square foot.

Window and door installation can cost you around $10,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the total amount of windows and doors and the quality of the materials.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Maryland Per Square Foot?

11. Utility & HVAC Cost in MT

People in general cost around $12,000 to $34,000 for Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning in the house. In your daily life, you have two basic things, electricity, and water. Electricity system installation can cost you around $17,500 to $32,000 in Montana, MT recently.

Plumbing and water supply system installation can cost up to $20,000 in general. The cost can be a little more or a little less depending on the professional cost and material quality. Choose Utility and HVAC quality wisely as its durability depends on the quality.

Related: What is the Average Cost Per Square Foot to Build a House in Wisconsin?

12. Furniture Cost in Montana

Furniture is the final cost factor of building a house. For comfortable living, every house needs comfortable beds, couches, tables, etc in your house.

Furniture costs fully depend on you and your lifestyle. It can cost you around $24,000 to $100,000 or more depending on the style and quality of the furniture.

Related: What is the Average Cost to Build a 1,500 sq ft House in Indiana?

Top 10 Tips for Saving Money on Your House Building Cost in Montana 2022

The house building cost in Montana is on the rise due to a shortage of labor and an increase in demand. If you have a low budget, these tips may be helpful for you to save valuable money from building costs.

  • Always try to ask for a discount. The most online retailer gives offered. So wait until the chance is coming.
  • House building costs can vary from city to city. The cost of building houses in Bozeman is more compared to other cities in Montana. You can choose another city with low labor and material cost rather than Bozeman.
  • Try to buy your product from a wholesaler instead of a retailer.
  • The bigger your house is, the more it will cost. Try to keep the size small according to your family size. It can save your cost up to 50%.
  • Time of the construction is also important for cost-saving. Try to start the work in the off-season. Then labor is available and the price of the material is also low.
  • A difficult or unique design house will take more time to complete the building and will take more time, labor, and materials. A simple design house will reduce the extra materials and labor costs.
  • Try to hire a builder who has multiple projects in your neighborhood. He will charge less compared to other builders.
  • You can choose a crawlspace in the place of the basement. Crawlspace is cheaper compared to Basement.
  • While saving money and preventing cost overruns are related, the tip focuses more on avoiding them. You should not pay subcontractors until they have provided services or purchased materials.
  • You can choose a wood frame instead of a metal frame. Metal framing cost 15% more compared to wood framing.

Special Tips: Always choose the best materials for your house-building job. We suggest you not to do any compromise with the quality. High-quality materials may cost you much now. But it will save you money in the long run and give you protection in difficult situations.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House on the Big Island of Hawaii?

5 Reasons to Build a House in Montana, MT 2022

Montana (MT) is the 4th largest state in the US by area with an average of 7.06* people living per square mile. Also, the cost of living in Montana is lower than the national average. House building cost is low compared to other states and the property tax is lower than the country average. There is also another reason that may influence you to shift to Montana (MT).

# Natural Beauty in Montana

From the rolling grasslands to craggy mountains, Montana is full of natural beauty. It is ranked one of the most beautiful states to live in the US. every year, thousands of travelers visit Montana to see the Missouri River, the Beartooth Mountains, Yellowstone river, and many other tourist places. You will find them right outside your front door.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Virginia?

# Lower Property Taxes and Living Cost

According to SmartAsset, the rate of Montana’s effective real estate tax is 0.85 percent which is lower than the national average rate of tax of 1.19% also, the average living cost in Montana is lower than the national average. It is a good place for a middle-class family to build a dream house.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in California?

# Opportunity to Do Outdoor Activities

One of the main reasons for people shifting to Montana is the opportunity to do any kind of outdoor activity. You can do fly fishing, rock climbing, skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing, camping, golfing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, and many more activities. You can enjoy your life by going closer to nature in any season. 

Related: What is the Average Cost Per Square Foot to Build a House in Ohio?

# Job Opportunity in Montana

Montana’s job market starts to recover in the pre-pandemic stage. More than 3,500 new businesses start in 2020. According to the state’s official report, Montana has the 8th fastest GDP growth in the US. the growth of GDP in Montana is more than the national average.

In the pandemic recovery stage, more job opportunities are created in agriculture, tourism, mining, and high-tech companies. Montana’s wage has grown 6.6% faster than the inflation rate in 2020.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in South Carolina, SC?

# Land of Higher Education

Montana has many famous and well-known top-ranked colleges and universities in the US. You can ensure higher education for your children.

Some of the well-known educational institutions in Montana are Carroll College, Montana Tech, The University Of Montana, Montana State University, Rocky Mountain College, University of Montana Western, Montana State University Billings, and The University of Providence.

Related: How Much is the Average Cost to Build a 1,500 sq ft House in Idaho?

Now We’re Answering Some of the Most Frequently Asked Questions About “Montana House Building”: FAQs

How does it cost to build a single-family home?

A completed single-family house has an average size of 2,261 square feet. The average per square foot cost in Montana is $140 to $260. So according to cost estimates in 2022, a single-family house can cost you $316,000 to $587,860 to build.

Do you need building permits to build a house in Montana?

Any kind of building needs permission from the local or state government. For building a house in Montana you need to take permission from the local authority and the permit fee can cost you around $1,300 to $3,400.

How much does it cost to build a 2,000-square-foot house in Montana?

An average type of house in Montana can cost you on average $200,000 to $600,000 or more depending on the location. The Cost varies from location to location. If you want to build a house in Bozeman, it will cost you more compared to others.

Is it expensive to build a house in Montana?

House building cost in Montana is still affordable. But is on the rise due to more people shifting from the urban cities in the pandemic situation, insufficient labor force, and inflation rate.

Does the house building cost in Montana worth it?

Though house building costs in Montana are rising, the cost will be worth it. Building your own house is always something to achieve. The peace you will find staying in the middle of the natural beauty, out of noise, pollution, and traffic is something you can’t count on money.

“One Mind” with Montana House Construction 2022

Montana is a state where you will live in the wonder of nature and will take your breath away with its pristine natural beauty. This guide will show you how you can reduce the costs of building a house in Montana (MT). Feel free to talk about your experiences with estimating construction projects.

For instance, if you are interested in building a house in Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you can find information about building a house in those states.

The following articles cover house construction in other states:

How Much Does it Cost Per Square Foot to Build a House in Georgia?
What is the Price Per Square Foot to Build a House in Maine?
How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Utah Per Square Foot?
What is the Average Cost Per Square Foot to Build a Homes in Tennessee?
How Much Does Residential Construction Cost Per Square Foot to Build a House in San Diego?

"Spread The Love By Sharing This"

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top