2025 Census data and 2026 VA guidance
VA Construction Costs by State and One-Time Close Guide
The cost to build a home can vary considerably from one state to another, but the final budget depends on the land, site work, utilities, plans, finishes, builder margin, contingency, and local permit fees.
We compared the residential structure value reported in the final 2025 Census building permit data with the May 2026 Redfin median sale price in all 50 states and Washington, DC. The comparison gives you a starting point for the construction budget, while the actual VA one-time close review still depends on the land, builder, plans, appraisal, complete budget, and lender approval.
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Which states reported the highest single-family permit valuation?
Permit valuation is the residential structure value shown on the permit. It does not include every land and development cost, and reporting practices can vary, so the chart should be used as a broad state comparison.
Source, U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey final annual 2025 state units and valuation files.
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What state permit data suggests about construction costs
This table shows how much residential structure value was reported per new single-family permit in each state and compares that figure with the median sale price of an existing home.
Use it as a rough statewide construction benchmark, not a builder quote. Permit value per new home is the reported structure valuation divided by the number of single-family homes permitted. The percentage shows that permit benchmark as a share of the Redfin median existing-home sale price. A higher percentage can signal more expensive new construction relative to resale homes, but the permit figure can still exclude land, site work, utilities, plans, financing, and other project costs.
Showing 51 records
| MA | $499,620 | 5,018 | $667,628 | 74.8% |
| CT | $457,061 | 2,080 | $458,372 | 99.7% |
| CO | $439,694 | 17,406 | $563,000 | 78.1% |
| HI | $428,947 | 2,420 | $722,434 | 59.4% |
| NY | $419,545 | 11,499 | $526,267 | 79.7% |
| WI | $418,493 | 13,405 | $351,252 | 119.1% |
| WY | $408,066 | 1,732 | $378,655 | 107.8% |
| NH | $395,492 | 3,279 | $533,106 | 74.2% |
| WA | $382,620 | 17,780 | $612,823 | 62.4% |
| OH | $377,453 | 17,327 | $274,027 | 137.7% |
| UT | $375,237 | 16,774 | $528,124 | 71.1% |
| AK | $374,609 | 573 | $420,506 | 89.1% |
| MN | $373,103 | 12,886 | $361,715 | 103.1% |
| RI | $371,451 | 730 | $508,195 | 73.1% |
| IN | $365,885 | 19,877 | $280,055 | 130.6% |
| IA | $364,321 | 7,326 | $253,549 | 143.7% |
| IL | $362,667 | 10,821 | $333,814 | 108.6% |
| MO | $356,809 | 11,374 | $293,956 | 121.4% |
| VT | $352,953 | 1,287 | $442,428 | 79.8% |
| KS | $349,432 | 6,121 | $293,956 | 118.9% |
| ND | $348,873 | 1,761 | $313,885 | 111.1% |
| OR | $345,458 | 9,215 | $518,159 | 66.7% |
| MI | $340,127 | 15,566 | $293,956 | 115.7% |
| SD | $335,240 | 3,296 | $343,779 | 97.5% |
| PA | $333,049 | 15,812 | $318,867 | 104.4% |
| FL | $332,913 | 111,173 | $395,595 | 84.2% |
| ME | $327,042 | 4,764 | $428,478 | 76.3% |
| CA | $319,631 | 57,739 | $782,221 | 40.9% |
| SC | $318,667 | 39,897 | $351,716 | 90.6% |
| TN | $313,283 | 32,068 | $383,637 | 81.7% |
| AZ | $310,273 | 33,371 | $448,407 | 69.2% |
| NC | $306,322 | 65,303 | $378,655 | 80.9% |
| MT | $305,707 | 2,675 | $513,177 | 59.6% |
| ID | $300,660 | 14,112 | $490,757 | 61.3% |
| GA | $297,731 | 44,351 | $369,687 | 80.5% |
| AL | $295,227 | 15,402 | $307,408 | 96% |
| MD | $294,418 | 9,345 | $448,407 | 65.7% |
| DC | $294,199 | 181 | $746,760 | 39.4% |
| TX | $291,431 | 140,579 | $343,779 | 84.8% |
| VA | $291,056 | 20,458 | $453,389 | 64.2% |
| AR | $286,761 | 10,298 | $278,012 | 103.1% |
| NV | $274,885 | 12,190 | $473,319 | 58.1% |
| OK | $274,629 | 11,581 | $264,062 | 104% |
| KY | $273,008 | 8,817 | $281,500 | 97% |
| NJ | $270,756 | 12,820 | $563,000 | 48.1% |
| NE | $269,395 | 5,561 | $318,867 | 84.5% |
| LA | $265,581 | 11,199 | $259,977 | 102.2% |
| NM | $230,623 | 6,296 | $357,729 | 64.5% |
| WV | $225,415 | 3,618 | $266,553 | 84.6% |
| MS | $209,768 | 7,318 | $281,002 | 74.7% |
| DE | $135,025 | 5,422 | $408,549 | 33.1% |
The Census Building Permits Survey definitions describe valuation as the estimated value of the residential structure shown on the permit. The comparison sale price comes from the Redfin Data Center monthly state export. Permit valuation is not the completed value, contract price, land cost, or loan amount. Review VA Lenders Handbook Chapter 7 for construction-loan requirements.
Found the state benchmark?
Compare it with the actual land, plans, builder, and contract
We can review the complete project instead of treating the permit valuation as a builder quote or final loan amount.
What is a VA one-time close construction loan?
The VA Lenders Handbook permits one-time and two-time construction loans. A one-time close establishes the construction financing and permanent VA mortgage at the same closing before construction begins.
One application and closing
The eligible land, construction budget, and permanent VA financing are approved together instead of asking the Veteran to qualify for a second mortgage after the build.
Terms established before construction
The permanent financing is set before work begins, and the loan is modified to the permanent payment terms after the home is completed.
Draws follow completed work
Construction funds are released in stages after the required work and inspections support the next draw.
VA guaranty follows completion
The VA guaranty cannot be issued until construction is 100 percent complete and the final requirements are satisfied.
Complete project budget
What costs should be in the construction budget?
A complete construction budget has to cover more than labor and materials. These four groups keep the land, plans, financing, and VA completion requirements in one place.
Property and site
Land, site work, and utilities
Include the land purchase or documented equity, clearing, grading, driveway, drainage, septic, well, and utility connections.
Plans and contract
Design, permits, and the builder contract
Include plans and specifications, engineering, surveys, permit fees, labor, materials, builder overhead, and the agreed construction contract.
Protection and loan costs
Contingency, draws, and closing expenses
Include a realistic contingency, construction interest, inspections, draw administration, title updates, and approved closing costs.
VA completion
Appraisal and property requirements
Include every item required by the completed appraisal and the VA Minimum Property Requirements before the home can be accepted as complete.
What does PBT need to review a construction scenario?
Send the land address or purchase contract, builder information, plans and specifications, construction contract, detailed budget, draw schedule, target completion time, and any money already invested in the project. We also need the same income, credit, asset, occupancy, and entitlement information used for a VA purchase review.
PBT Bancorp is an FDIC member bank and a wholesale broker with access to more than 35 wholesale lenders. Construction programs are more specialized than an existing-home purchase, so the property type, builder, location, budget, and complete file determine which option is available.
Next steps
Helpful VA loan resources
Choose the guide or next step that matches where you are in the construction process.
Program guide
VA One-Time Close Construction Loan
Use the complete program guide and the real one-time close construction calculator.
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Construction process
How a VA construction loan works
Review builder approval, plans, appraisal, draws, inspections, and completion.
View resource
Loan options
VA high-balance loans
See how entitlement and higher-priced financing work when the project is above the county baseline.
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Start here
Get pre-qualified
Start with the borrower review while the builder and property package is being assembled.
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VA construction cost and one-time close questions
Is permit valuation the same as the cost to build a home?
No, permit valuation is the residential structure value reported on the building permit. It may exclude land, site work, utilities, financing, design, builder margin, and other costs in the final project budget.
Does the VA allow a one-time close construction loan?
Yes, the current VA Lenders Handbook permits one-time construction-to-permanent financing and two-time construction financing. The lender and project still have to meet the applicable underwriting and construction requirements.
Can I use land I already own in a VA construction loan?
Land already owned may be included, but the title, liens, acquisition cost, current value, equity, and complete transaction structure have to be documented and approved.
Can I act as my own builder?
The project normally requires an eligible licensed and insured builder that can satisfy the lender approval and construction documentation requirements. Owner-builder arrangements are generally not accepted.
When do payments begin on a VA one-time close loan?
When payments begin depends on the approved program, and the VA handbook explains that principal payments begin after construction is complete, with the remaining loan term adjusted so the loan still pays off within the original term.
Can the one-time close loan become a two-time close later?
No, the VA handbook states that once the construction loan type closes, it cannot be converted from one-time to two-time or from two-time to one-time.
Send us the land, builder, plans, and budget
Call 800-697-4371 or complete the short form. We will review the borrower and project together before you spend more money on a construction path that may not fit.
Last reviewed July 11, 2026. Permit data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau final annual 2025 Building Permits Survey. VA one-time close guidance was checked against VA Lenders Handbook Chapter 7 and the current VA purchase-loan page. PBT Bancorp NMLS #257781.