Build vs Buy House Calculator

Compare the all-in near-term cost of building a house with buying an existing home using your own prices, temporary housing, closing costs, repairs and value estimates.

Quick answer

Build vs Buy House Calculator

This compares the costs you enter rather than assuming one path is automatically cheaper. Use it as a first-pass decision model, then add financing and tax details separately.

Formula: Build path = contract + soft/site costs + temporary housing. Buy path = purchase price + closing costs + immediate repairs.

Build contract / hard cost ($)Main construction contract or estimated hard cost.Build soft & site costs ($)Plans, permits, utilities, site work and similar costs.Temporary housing per month ($)Rent or other housing cost during construction.Build duration (months)Months of temporary housing to include.Existing home purchase price ($)Price of the home you would buy instead.Buyer closing costs (%)Your own estimate of buyer-side closing costs.Immediate repairs / upgrades ($)Work you expect immediately after purchase.Estimated completed build value ($)Optional estimate for a simple value cushion.Estimated bought-home value ($)Optional estimate for comparison.

Enter your numbers and calculate.

How the calculation works

Build path = contract + soft/site costs + temporary housing. Buy path = purchase price + closing costs + immediate repairs.

Every rate, percentage, cost and value assumption shown in the calculator can be changed. Results are scenario math based on your inputs, not quotes, appraisals, code determinations or predictions.

Questions people ask

What costs should I include on the build side?

Include the construction contract, site and soft costs, plus temporary housing while the home is being built.

Does this include mortgage interest?

No. It intentionally isolates the project and transaction costs you enter.

What is the value cushion?

It is simply your estimated property value minus the project or acquisition cost used in the calculator.