How Much Does It Cost To Build A Duplex?
It all depends on where you’re looking to situate the building, what features and materials you’re looking to include, and the local real estate development market. Factors like housing inventory, competition, and property values can also factor into the equation.
Here, we take a closer look at how much it costs to build a duplex – and whether doing so might make sense for you.
A duplex home is defined as a type of residential property that attaches two living units to one another, and places two separate residences under a single roof. Duplexes can be single- or multistory structures, but the two individual dwellings that are contained within these properties (which essentially pack two units into one home) will have separate entrances.
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Is A Duplex A Multifamily Home?
A duplex is one of many forms of a multifamily home. In general, multifamily structures can take the form of many different types of buildings – some of which may even be situated on different plots of land.
Examples of multifamily home options include townhouses (wherein two families live in one house that is separated by an interior wall) or apartment complexes (a single structure which houses at least five or more common units, and in which residents share common areas).
Other types of multifamily housing include semi-detached houses – single-family homes that share a common wall with another home, in similar fashion to townhouse properties.
How Much To Build A Duplex: Average Costs And How Prices Can Vary
The national average cost to build a duplex is between $325,000 and $577,000, with most people paying around $398,000 for a 3,000 sq.ft. side-by-side duplex with two floors. At the lowest cost, you can build a 1,500 sq.ft. stacked duplex for $142,500. A 5,000 sq.ft. high-end single-story side-by-side duplex costs $1,100,000 to complete.
Most investors who wish to explore the possibility of real estate development in the duplex market can expect to pay around $398,000 for a 3,600-square-foot duplex property.
National average cost | $398,000 |
Average range | $325,000 – $577,000 |
Minimum cost | $142,500 |
Maximum cost | $1,100,000. |
Price per square foot | $105 – $320 |
Average total cost | $295,000 – $577,000 |
Average one-story duplex build cost | $105 – $145 |
Average two-story duplex build cost | $110 – $180 |
Average side-by-side duplex build cost | $140 – $320 |
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Duplex Building Cost Per Square Foot
Like all infill apartment-type homes, duplexes have a range of costs to build. These costs can be increased or decreased by location, materials, and style. Side-by-side duplexes are more costly than duplexes with one apartment stacked. The average cost range to build a duplex is between $105 and $250 a square foot. Most people pay around $150 an sq. ft. for mid-range duplexes.
| Size | Average Costs (Labor Included) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq.ft. | $105,000 – $250,000 |
| 2,000 sq.ft. | $220,000 – $460,000 |
| 3,000 sq.ft. | $305,000 – $680,000 |
| 4,000 sq.ft. | $420,000 – $930,000 |
| 5,000 sq.ft. | $495,000 – $1,130,000 |
Side-by-Side Duplex Cost
The average cost for a side-by-side duplex ranges from $150 to $250 a square foot. This type is the most common for duplexes. In this type of duplex, each apartment has two floors, which are like a mirror. They are larger, have more square footage, and are very expensive duplexes. They have the challenges of a one-story, meaning larger roofs and foundations and decentralized plumbing and utilities, while they also have added structural costs for building up.
One-Story Duplex Cost
Expect costs for one-story duplexes to average $130 to $200 a square foot. It has two apartments side-by-side, each with one level. This means it takes more space and needs a larger foundation and roof. This type of duplex is more expensive to build than a one-up, one-down duplex, even if the apartments in both types are identical in shape, size, and layout.
One-Story Duplex Cost
Expect costs for one-story duplexes to average $130 to $200 a square foot. It has two apartments side-by-side, each with one level. This means it takes more space and needs a larger foundation and roof. This type of duplex is more expensive to build than a one-up, one-down duplex, even if the apartments in both types are identical in shape, size, and layout.
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Labor Cost
Anyone wondering how much it costs to build a duplex will need to factor the costs of labor into the equation. Sample hiring expenses that you can expect to pay for here include:
| Project Breakdown | Percent of Project Cost |
|---|---|
| Architect Fees | 10.5% – 15% of project costs (added) |
| Structural Engineer Fees | $500 – $20,000Â as needed (added) |
| Contractor Fees | 25% of project costs (added) |
| Foundation | 9% |
| Floor Structure | 12% |
| Walls and Exterior Finish | 6% – 10% |
| Roof | 10% |
| Windows and Doors | 5% |
| Interior Finish | 6% – 10% |
| Flooring | 3% – 5% |
| Interior Features | 3% – 5% |
| Bathrooms | 4% |
| Kitchens | 8% |
| Electrical | 10% |
| Plumbing | 12% |
Material Cost For Duplex House
You might build a duplex if you wanted a unit incorporating more than one family. Duplexes are excellent spaces to rent out. You can sell or rent one side while living on the other side. Building a duplex is much less expensive than constructing two single-family homes.
The most recent data shows that the amount needed to build a duplex is between $95 and $220 per square foot. The average total material cost to build a duplex is $285,000 – $537,000. For 2024, the national average price to build a typical 3,000-square-foot duplex is around $285,000 and $537,000.
Average Range | $285,000 – $537,000 |
Low-end | $142,500 |
High-end | $1,100,000 |
No matter which style you decide to build and invest in, you have to expect many materials you will pay for with your creation. These are some material costs associated with building a duplex include, but are not limited to:
Material | Average Cost |
Roofing | $4 per square foot |
Siding | $5 per square foot |
Paint | $30 per gallon |
Doors | $300 per door |
Windows | $200 per window |
Foundation | $10 per square foot |
Flooring | $8 per square foot |
Wood | $5 per square foot |
Average total cost:Â | $562Â |
Building a duplex is similar to any other type of construction project. You have to factor in its material costs from lumber, concrete, flooring, windows, and so on. But with creativity and resourcefulness, you can save money on some materials.
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Process To Get Duplex Cost Estimate Report
Here I am going to share some steps to get your Duplex Cost estimate report.
