2025 Census data and 2026 VA guidance
VA Construction Costs by State and One-Time Close Guide
VA construction costs by state can vary considerably, 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 June 2026 Redfin median sale price in all 50 states and Washington, DC. The comparison gives you a statewide benchmark, not a builder quote or cost-per-square-foot estimate. A VA one-time close review still depends on the land, builder, plans, appraisal, detailed budget, and lender approval.
- Final 2025 Census permit data
- June 2026 Redfin prices
- Reviewed VA and construction-loan requirements
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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.
Start with the land, builder, plans, and budget
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Open the callback form when you have land, a builder, or a project budget in mind. We can start with the plans, target completion time, and basic financing information before you spend more money on the project. We can begin that conversation without pulling credit.
What does state permit data suggest 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 Census state file does not include total square footage, so the source cannot support a verified cost per square foot. 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.
Select a state to view its benchmark
| MA | $499,620 | 5,018 | $687,847 | 72.6% |
| CT | $457,061 | 2,080 | $476,508 | 95.9% |
| CO | $439,694 | 17,406 | $567,219 | 77.5% |
| HI | $428,947 | 2,420 | $747,660 | 57.4% |
| NY | $419,545 | 11,499 | $553,268 | 75.8% |
| WI | $418,493 | 13,405 | $358,877 | 116.6% |
| WY | $408,066 | 1,732 | $378,814 | 107.7% |
| NH | $395,492 | 3,279 | $543,299 | 72.8% |
| WA | $382,620 | 17,780 | $617,990 | 61.9% |
| OH | $377,453 | 17,327 | $279,126 | 135.2% |
| UT | $375,237 | 16,774 | $534,273 | 70.2% |
| AK | $374,609 | 573 | $433,643 | 86.4% |
| MN | $373,103 | 12,886 | $373,830 | 99.8% |
| RI | $371,451 | 730 | $538,315 | 69% |
| IN | $365,885 | 19,877 | $288,896 | 126.6% |
| IA | $364,321 | 7,326 | $269,058 | 135.4% |
| IL | $362,667 | 10,821 | $343,923 | 105.5% |
| MO | $356,809 | 11,374 | $299,064 | 119.3% |
| VT | $352,953 | 1,287 | $423,674 | 83.3% |
| KS | $349,432 | 6,121 | $304,048 | 114.9% |
| ND | $348,873 | 1,761 | $335,585 | 104% |
| OR | $345,458 | 9,215 | $521,368 | 66.3% |
| MI | $340,127 | 15,566 | $299,064 | 113.7% |
| SD | $335,240 | 3,296 | $339,437 | 98.8% |
| PA | $333,049 | 15,812 | $338,939 | 98.3% |
| FL | $332,913 | 111,173 | $398,752 | 83.5% |
| ME | $327,042 | 4,764 | $438,627 | 74.6% |
| CA | $319,631 | 57,739 | $777,566 | 41.1% |
| SC | $318,667 | 39,897 | $359,873 | 88.5% |
| TN | $313,283 | 32,068 | $393,767 | 79.6% |
| AZ | $310,273 | 33,371 | $443,611 | 69.9% |
| NC | $306,322 | 65,303 | $383,799 | 79.8% |
| MT | $305,707 | 2,675 | $527,848 | 57.9% |
| ID | $300,660 | 14,112 | $498,340 | 60.3% |
| GA | $297,731 | 44,351 | $373,830 | 79.6% |
| AL | $295,227 | 15,402 | $304,048 | 97.1% |
| MD | $294,418 | 9,345 | $463,449 | 63.5% |
| DC | $294,199 | 181 | $708,003 | 41.6% |
| TX | $291,431 | 140,579 | $347,911 | 83.8% |
| VA | $291,056 | 20,458 | $463,549 | 62.8% |
| AR | $286,761 | 10,298 | $284,111 | 100.9% |
| NV | $274,885 | 12,190 | $480,496 | 57.2% |
| OK | $274,629 | 11,581 | $261,681 | 104.9% |
| KY | $273,008 | 8,817 | $289,095 | 94.4% |
| NJ | $270,756 | 12,820 | $598,128 | 45.3% |
| NE | $269,395 | 5,561 | $323,986 | 83.2% |
| LA | $265,581 | 11,199 | $265,083 | 100.2% |
| NM | $230,623 | 6,296 | $354,251 | 65.1% |
| WV | $225,415 | 3,618 | $274,142 | 82.2% |
| MS | $209,768 | 7,318 | $278,129 | 75.4% |
| DE | $135,025 | 5,422 | $417,448 | 32.3% |
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. That benchmark is not a builder quote or loan approval. We review the land, builder, plans, budget, permits, and finished value under the VA construction-loan requirements.
Replace the state benchmark with the actual project
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.
How does one-time close financing connect the build and permanent loan?
A one-time close combines the construction financing and permanent VA mortgage at one closing before work begins. A two-time close uses separate construction and permanent loan closings.
One application and closing
The lot being purchased for the new home, construction budget, and permanent VA financing can close together when the complete transaction qualifies.
Terms established before construction
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
VA cannot issue the guaranty until construction is 100% 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
Land costs may cover the lot purchase or documented equity, clearing, grading, driveway, drainage, septic, well, and utility connections.
Plans and contract
Design, permits, and the builder contract
The budget should account for plans, specifications, engineering, surveys, permit fees, labor, materials, builder overhead, and the agreed construction contract.
Protection and loan costs
Contingency, draws, and closing expenses
A realistic budget includes contingency, construction interest, inspections, draw and inspection charges, title updates, and approved closing costs.
VA completion
Appraisal and property requirements
Completion items from the appraisal and VA Minimum Property Requirements must be included 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 licensed in all 50 states with access to programs from more than 35 wholesale lenders. Construction loans are more specialized than an existing-home purchase, so the property type, builder, location, budget, and complete application 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.
View resource
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.
View resource
Start here
Get pre-qualified
Start with your financing 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?
Permit valuation is the residential structure value reported on the building permit, not the final cost to build. It may exclude land, site work, utilities, financing, design, builder margin, and other costs in the final project budget.
Does this table show construction cost per square foot?
The final Census state file reports authorized units and structure valuation but does not report total square footage. A verified cost per square foot therefore requires the plans, conditioned area, specifications, site work, finish level, and a current local builder estimate.
Does the VA allow a one-time close construction loan?
VA construction financing can use a one-time construction-to-permanent closing or separate construction and permanent-loan closings. You, the builder, property, appraisal, budget, and selected loan program still have to qualify.
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 the Veteran also be the builder on this loan?
The project normally requires an eligible licensed and insured builder that can satisfy the lender approval and construction documentation requirements, so owner-builder arrangements are generally not accepted.
When do payments begin on a VA one-time close loan?
With our one-time close loan, you do not make payments during construction because the interest-only reserve is included in the approved budget. Principal and interest begin after completion and modification to permanent financing, and the construction period is deducted from the original loan term.
Can the closing structure change after the construction loan closes?
No, the one-time or two-time structure is set when the construction loan closes. A one-time close cannot later be converted into a two-time close, and a two-time close cannot be converted into a one-time close.
How is the VA funding fee calculated for a one-time close build?
The VA funding fee generally applies unless you qualify for an exemption. When a fee is due, we calculate it from total acquisition costs and may finance it within the approved loan amount.
How large can our one-time close construction loan be?
Our current one-time close terms allow a maximum loan amount of $4 million. The approved amount is still limited by the lesser of the appraised completed value or eligible acquisition cost, along with entitlement, income, debts, credit, property, builder, budget, and final underwriting.
Request a review of your construction plan
Get pre-qualified before relying on a statewide construction benchmark. The application gives us the financing and payment information needed before we review the land, builder, plans, and budget.
Last reviewed August 8, 2026.