Update for 2017 – In terms of construction costs (land excluded) you can build a solid home for approximately $150 to $160 per square foot. At $200 per square foot you should be getting into a very nice home and beyond $300 per square foot is for the pure custom homes. Prices can be dramatically affected by type of building lot, heating system, and finishing. For example, you can spend $8,000 on Milgard windows or $40,000 on Pella windows. Pricing can also vary by municipality and make sure to add the square footage of the garage into calculations.