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How much does it cost to build a “cheap” house of 73 to 81 square meters today? - La Nación Propiedades
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Cuánto cuesta construir una casa “barata” de 73 a 81 metros cuadrados hoy
Luego de un año en que los costos de la construcción aumentaron fuertemente, expertos responden cuánto cuesta construir una casa económica actualmente
www.lanacion.com.ar
July 14, 2025
After a year in which construction costs rose sharply, experts answer how much it currently costs to build an affordable home.
How much does it cost to build a “cheap” house of 73 to 81 square meters today? Shutterstock.
At a time when construction costs continue to rise, both in terms of materials and labor, many are wondering how much it costs to build a house today.
Indeed, although the increase has slowed in the last month, the year-over-year variation shows significant increases. According to the latest data published by the Institute of Statistics and Census of the City of Buenos Aires , the Construction Cost Index (ICCBA, which measures the monthly variations in the cost of private construction of buildings intended for housing in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and the 24 districts of Greater Buenos Aires) reached a monthly increase of 3.1% in May 2025 and a year-over-year increase of 33.5%.
Of the three elements considered, the component that exerts the greatest pressure on the indicator is labor , which shows a year-over-year change of 47.3%. This is followed by general expenses, with a year-over-year increase of 41.8% , while materials—more stable—recorded a change of 19.9%.
The Construction Cost Index reached a monthly increase of 3.1% and a year-on-year increase of 33.5% in May 2025. Shutterstock.
How much does it cost to build a “cheap” house today?
In this context, LA NACION consulted with industry experts about the cost of building a "cheap" house of 73 to 81 square meters today. They revealed that the construction of a very cheap square meter costs around US$1,300 + VAT (US$1,436.5). However, it can rise to US$3,000 if more expensive materials are used for the entire project and the goal is to build a premium home.
Thus, a very inexpensive house between 73 and 81 square meters, for example a 77 m² house, currently averages US$110,610.50 . It's worth noting that this is a home built using the traditional construction model.
Construction costs rose sharply, especially in the first months of 2024. Fabian Marelli.
Why is the cost of construction increasing?
One of the main causes behind this phenomenon is the stability of the dollar or the fall in the value of the American currency in recent months , which means that increasingly more dollars are needed to build the same thing. For more than two years, costs measured in US currency kept pace with fluctuating inflation in pesos and constant devaluations. However, with the dollar remaining virtually unchanged recently, construction costs have reached unexpected levels.
This scenario is causing concern among builders, property owners in the construction phase, and subdivision developers due to the decline in demand. However, it's worth noting that increases have slowed recently.
The cost of building a country house has risen sharply recently. Martin Cossarini.
How much does it cost to build a
Meanwhile, the cost of building a premium home in a gated community or neighborhood has skyrocketed in the last year: it costs $1,232,162,763 to build a 315 m² home , equivalent to nearly $4 million per square meter , including taxes and professional fees, according to the latest report by Reporte Inmobiliario. In dollars, the total sum would be US$940,582.26 at the blue dollar exchange rate—almost a million dollars—with a value of US$2,985.98/m² at the time the information was collected.
This amount represents a year-on-year increase of 65% , since in March 2024 the same work required an investment of $747,157,927.47.
In January 2025 , building a 315 m² home in a gated community or neighborhood required a total investment of $1,156,272,392 (US$963,560 with a $1,200 dollar, or almost a million dollars). However, between January and March of this year alone, the cost increased by more than $75 million , representing a 6.6% rise in just three months. Another fact that reflects the impact is that current costs already exceed the historic peak recorded in April 2018, when building a 315 m² home cost US$572,279.56.
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