Planning to build your dream home? Framing is the stage where your home will begin to take its desired shape. No doubt, it is only through framing that blueprints comes to life.

The frame of a building acts a skeleton and supports every finishing feature like windows, doors and even the roof. On this page, you can go through the guide on estimating framing costs.

Average framing cost

The estimated cost to frame a house is $6 to $15 per square foot. Professional contractors who have specialization in framing boutique custom builds, they charge more than $15 per square foot. This mentioned rate includes labor and material as well. You can read more about framing take-offs and estimates by clicking here.

It is generally assumed that 3 to 4 labors are enough to frame a house in one week duration. If it is a double or three story building house, the project may take longer to complete. Rest, urban builds have increased cost of labor.

You might wonder, what framing a house actually involves. The common elements are building the stick frames that later on support the walls and creating rough-out holes for windows and doors from 2×4 boards.

Exterior sheathing and wrapping increase the total project cost. You might have to pay additional $4000 to $14500 if it is a 2,000 square feet. Framers charge extra $3 per square foot if you want to build a second story of your home.

Basement Framing Average Price

Framing basement cost around about $5 per square foot. In this space, the primary job is to frame the walls. Minimum planning is required, which is why the per square foot price is low.

If it is a small basement, the rate will be $250 to frame it and the price will reach $4000 if the basement size is large. Besides, type of basement also determines the framing price. There are three kinds of basement walls: precast panel, poured concrete and masonry-made.

Garage Framing Average Price

Whether you want to build a detached or attached garage, the cost of framing is relatively low. These structures are hassle-free to build and the average rate is $4 to $5 per square foot. Common options for framing a garage include steel, concrete or steel.

Interior re-framing Estimated Price

Some home-owners plan to add new walls inside the premises of their existing home. So, the average price of this framing project will be slightly high as extensive planning is needed. Approximate rate is $6 to $11 per square foot.

Roof framing average cost

Prior to installing a roof, you must frame it. Two common framing options are there: Use pre-manufactured trusses, or utilize rafters and ceiling joists which are also known as stick framing. It is on this frame the rest of the roofing structure will be built on.

The estimated roof framing rate is $5 to $8 per square foot. Price goes high if you want to add extra valleys, slopes and angles. You can cut down the cost by using prebuilt trusses. They need less labor and give more support than using conventional stick frames.

Which factors influence the framing cost?

  • Simple structures are less costly to frame as compared to highly complex structures.
  • If planning to frame a roof, its size, shape and pitch place the most important impact on the total project budget. Roofs having a greater surface area, carrying a more intricate shape or infused with a steeper pitch cost more.
  • The more challenges in framing a building, more labor and materials are needed and that will up the total budget too.
  • Intersecting walls need more studs and this ultimately increases the labor and materials rate.
  • Straight squares are quick to build, so that project will be less costly to proceed.
  • Adding architectural details like angles, slopes and valleys means higher labor costs.
  • Last minute changes in the framing project add cost. Even little changes like adding a window or door significantly impact the final price.

How residential and commercial framing costs differ?

Framing houses is a small-scale project and framing buildings involves a large-scale project. Residential level projects charge $6 to $15 per square foot and commercial level projects cost $13 to $41 per square foot. Furthermore, buildings use steel for framing rather than wood, that is why the price is high.

So, that is the end of the guide which we have penned down on estimating framing costs. Remember that the crucial factors that influence the total framing project budget are complexity and materials. Share with us anytime if you have ever conducted projects like these and how was your experience.

Author

Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.