COST GUIDE

WHAT IT COSTS TO BUILD HERE.

Honest, mid-range numbers for construction in Whatcom County, Washington — from the first scoop of dirt to the final walkthrough. Use these as ballpark planning figures, not a quote.

BIG-PICTURE PRICING

Whole-project ranges.

NEW CUSTOM HOME (MID-RANGE BUILD)

$210 – $270 / sq ft

Turn-key, including foundation, framing, mechanicals and standard finishes. Lot, septic and well not included.

WHOLE-HOUSE REMODEL

$120 – $175 / sq ft

Down to studs, new mechanicals, kitchen and baths. Existing foundation and framing reused.

ADU / DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING

$175 – $240 / sq ft

Permitted, fully finished, on existing utilities where available.

GARAGE CONVERSION TO LIVING SPACE

$60,000 – $105,000

Insulation, mechanicals, finishes — assumes existing slab and walls in good condition.

PHASE-BY-PHASE

Foundation to finish.

Mid-range Whatcom County pricing for each major scope of work. Real numbers depend on site, design and material selections.

Site Work & Foundation

Clearing, excavation, footings and a code-compliant foundation system.

Site clearing & excavation$4 – $8 / sq ft of footprint
Concrete footings & stem walls$6.50 – $9.50 / sq ft
Slab-on-grade foundation$5 – $7.50 / sq ft
Full daylight basement$24 – $35 / sq ft of basement
Septic system (where required)$7,500 – $16,000
Well drilling (where required)$5,200 – $10,500

Framing & Structure

Floor systems, walls, roof framing, sheathing and weather wrap.

Rough framing labor & lumber$11 – $17 / sq ft
Engineered floor system$4 – $6.50 / sq ft
Roof trusses & sheathing$4.50 – $7 / sq ft of roof
House wrap & weather barrier$0.80 – $1.30 / sq ft

Roofing, Siding & Windows

The exterior shell — keeps Whatcom rain out for the next 30+ years.

Architectural asphalt shingle roof$3.60 – $5.60 / sq ft of roof
Standing-seam metal roof$7 – $10.50 / sq ft of roof
Hardie / fiber-cement siding (installed)$5.50 – $8.50 / sq ft
LP SmartSide siding (installed)$4.50 – $7 / sq ft
Vinyl windows (mid-range, installed)$340 – $575 each
Exterior doors (installed)$600 – $1,400 each

Drywall, Paint & Trim

Wall finish, interior doors, baseboard and casing.

Drywall hung, taped & textured$1.75 – $2.55 / sq ft of wall
Interior paint (walls, ceiling, trim)$1.75 – $2.55 / sq ft of floor
Interior doors (installed)$180 – $335 each
Baseboard & casing package$1.60 – $2.55 / linear ft

Flooring

Mid-range materials installed throughout.

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)$3.60 – $5.60 / sq ft
Engineered hardwood$5.20 – $8.40 / sq ft
Tile (porcelain, installed)$6.50 – $10.50 / sq ft
Carpet & pad$2.55 – $4.20 / sq ft

Kitchen & Bath

Where most of the interior budget lives.

Mid-range kitchen (cabinets, counters, appliances)$23,000 – $38,000
Quartz countertops (installed)$35 – $58 / sq ft
Semi-custom cabinets$150 – $280 / linear ft
Full bath build-out$8,800 – $16,000
Powder / half bath$4,200 – $7,000

Final Finishes & Sitework

Punch list, cleanup and getting the keys in your hand.

Driveway (concrete, installed)$5.20 – $7.60 / sq ft
Basic landscaping & grading$4,200 – $10,400
Deck (composite, installed)$23 – $34 / sq ft
Final clean & punch list$760 – $1,800

A NOTE ON PRICING

These are planning numbers.

Costs above reflect typical mid-range projects in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and the rest of Whatcom County as of 2026. Material prices, permit fees, soil conditions and design complexity all move the final number. For a real bid on your project, we'll walk the site, review your plans and put it in writing.

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