2025 Guide to House Framing Costs in Utah: How Much Does It Cost to Frame a House?
TL;DR
House framing costs in 2025 range from $7–$16 per square foot nationally ($14,000–$32,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home) and $11–$30 in Utah ($22,000–$60,000). Single-story homes cost less than two-story or custom builds (+$3–$5 or +$5–$15/sq ft). Garages: $4–$7/sq ft. Interior walls: $7–$13/sq ft. Roof framing: $6–$15/sq ft. Sheathing: $2–$8/sq ft. Use wood for savings, steel for durability (+10–30%). Complex designs add 30%. Budget 15% contingency and get 3–5 contractor bids.
What Is House Framing? Knowing the Basic Principles and What It Involves
Framing a house is the process of building a house's structural frame with wood, steel, or engineered products to bear the load of walls, floors, roofs, doors, and windows. It consists of vertical studs, horizontal plates, floor joists, roof rafters or trusses, and sheathing to provide stability. Framing helps the house resist loads such as snow, wind, and everyday use and ensures compliance with building codes. It comes after foundation work and before insulation, drywall, and exterior finishes. Good framing is critical for safety and longevity.
Average Cost to Frame a New House: A Comprehensive Breakdown for New Construction Projects
The average national cost of framing a new house usually varies between $7 to $16 per square foot for labor and materials. Therefore, based on a standard house size of about 2,000 square feet, the overall cost of framing would be between $14,000 and $32,000. In Utah, the costs have a broader variation of between $11 and $30 per square foot. This equates to overall spending of around $22,000 to $60,000 for a house of the same size, which differs based on geographical variations in labor and the quality of materials used. It is notable that the prices mentioned do not include other expenses related to the foundation, finishes needed for the roof, or any interior work that might be needed.
Framing Costs According to Home Type and Size (Single-Story, Two-Story, Custom Homes)
Single-Story Home: $7 to $16 per square foot nationwide; $11 to $30 in Utah. For a 2,000-square-foot single-story home, budget $14,000 to $32,000 nationwide or $22,000 to $60,000 in Utah.
Two-Story House: Includes an additional $3 to $5 per square foot for the second story because of added complexity and load-bearing requirements. A 2,000-square-foot two-story house ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 nationwide or between $28,000 and $70,000 in Utah.
Custom Builds: $12 to $30 per square foot nationwide; $15 to $35 in Utah, echoing complex designs such as vaulted ceilings or multi-angled roofs.
Garage Framing Costs: Unraveling the Options of Detached and Attached Varieties
Attached Garage: $4 to $5 per square foot on the national level and in Utah, or $3,200 to $8,000 for a two-car garage (400–800 square feet). Shares a wall with the house, which cuts down on material requirements.
Detached Garage: $5 to $7 per square foot on a national and Utah basis, or $4,000 to $10,000 for the same size. Requires complete independent framing, which adds 20%–30% to the costs.
Interior Wall Framing Costs for Renovations and Existing Houses
On a national level, interior wall framing ranges from $7 to $12 per square foot, or $1,000 to $5,000 for a 100–400-square-foot wall. Prices are $7 to $13 per square foot in Utah, as there is a higher demand for labor. Load-bearing walls cost an additional $2–$5 per square foot. For remodeling, 10%–20% more is expected for framing around existing structures.
Roof Framing Expenses: Rafters, Trusses, and Labor
Across the country, roof framing costs between $6 and $15 per square foot, or $9,000 and $37,500 for a 1,500–2,500-square-foot roof. Utah is $6 to $9 per square foot, or $9,000 to $22,500, depending on local codes and snow loads.
Rafters: $7 to $16 nationwide per square foot; $6 to $9 in Utah. Stick-built on-site, which is appropriately suited to custom designs but takes more labor.
Trusses: $5 to $14/square foot nationwide; $1.50 to $4.50 in Utah for prefab. Prefabricated for efficiency, cutting labor 30%–50%.
Roof Truss Prices: Prefabricated vs. Custom-Designed Solutions
Prefab Trusses: $60 to $500 each across the nation (wood); $150 to $700 (steel). In Utah, $60 to $700 each, with prefab saving 20%–30% of labor.
Custom-Built Trusses: 20%–50% extra, $100 to $800 each nationwide and in Utah, for special spans or loads.
The Cost of House Sheathing: A Breakdown of Materials and Labor Costs
Across the country, house sheathing costs between $2 and $8 per square foot, or $4,000 and $16,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home. Utah is $2 to $5 per square foot, or $4,000 to $10,000, with OSB being common.
Materials: Plywood/OSB $1–$3.50 per square foot; labor $1.50–$3 per square foot.
House Wrap: Adds $0.50–$1 per square foot for moisture barrier.
Total Framing Costs for a Whole House Build
For a 2,000-square-foot home, framing itself runs $14,000 to $32,000 across the country, or $22,000 to $60,000 in Utah, including sheathing and wrap. Custom work tacks on 20%–30%.
Costs Involved in Framing a Home Addition: Adding to Your Living Area
Across the country, addition framing ranges from $6 to $10 per square foot, or $4,400 to $12,000 for 400 square feet. In Utah, $6 to $12 per square foot, with second-story additions 20% more.
Major Factors That Impact the Expenses of House Framing
Project Type: New Construction vs Expansion vs Renovation
New Construction: $7–$16 per square foot nationally; $11–$30 in Utah. Total control but higher upfront cost.
Addition: $6–$10 per square foot nationally; $6–$12 in Utah. Tying into existing structures makes it more complex (+10%–20%).
Remodel: $7–$12 per square foot nationally; $7–$13 in Utah. Working around utilities increases labor (+15%).
The Effect of Project Size and the Role of Square Footage
Larger projects are $7–$16 per square foot on a national level ($11–$30 in Utah), with economies of scale lowering per-square-foot prices by 10%–15% for houses in excess of 3,000 square feet. Smaller projects (<1,000 square feet) raise prices by 20% because of fixed costs.
Choices for Framing Materials: Wood, Steel, or Engineered Alternatives
Wood: $7–$16 per square foot nationally; $11–$32 in Utah. Low cost but vulnerable to pests/moisture.
Steel: $17–$32 per square foot nationwide; $20–$35 in Utah. Strong, resistant to fire, but 10%–30% higher in price.
Engineered (e.g., LVL): +10%–20% over wood for specialized applications such as long spans.
Architectural Design Complexity and Custom Features
Elaborate designs (i.e., vaults, angles) increase costs by 30% nationally and in Utah because of additional materials/labor. Bay windows and other custom features boost framing by $200–$500 each.
Labor Costs: A Comprehensive Analysis of Regional Differences and Prices Quoted by Contractors
National labor: $4–$10 per square foot. Utah: $4–$13 per square foot, higher in urban areas like Salt Lake City due to demand (+20%). Contractor fees vary by experience; high-end crews add 15%–25%.
Residential vs. Commercial Framing Costs: What's the Difference?
Residential: $7–$16 per square foot nationwide; $11–$30 in Utah.
Commercial: +$2–$24 per square foot for steel usage and more stringent codes, for a total of $9–$40 per square foot.
Additional Changes and Unforeseen Financial Commitments
Plan revisions nationally and in Utah add 10%–30% (e.g., additional window: +$200–$500). Unforeseen problems such as bad soil or delays add $1,000–$5,000. Budget 10%–15% contingency.
How to Accurately Calculate the Expenses Involved in Your House Framing Project
To roughly estimate framing costs:
Determine total square footage.
Multiply by $7–$16 across the country ($11–$30 in Utah).
Add 10%–20% for complexity.
Add 15% contingency.
Obtain exact contractor bids based on plans. Utilize online calculators for rough estimates, but get 3–5 professional bids. Steps:Calculate square footage.
Apply design/materials factor.
Add labor/region factors.
Add permits ($500–$2,000).
Final Considerations: Budgeting for House Framing in 2025
Framing is 15%–18% of total build costs, so budget conservatively with contingencies. Rates are higher in Utah due to demand—prioritize licensed contractors for quality. Save by utilizing simple designs and wood materials, but involve pros early to avoid costly changes.