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Minimum and realistic: how much does it cost to build a “cheap” 70 m² house in 2026 - La Nacion Propiedades
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www.lanacion.com.ar
March 31, 2026
Construction costs continue to rise, and the decline of the dollar directly impacted prices in foreign currency.
In pesos, the increase in construction costs was 1% in February compared to the previous month, but in dollars the impact was much greater. Shutterstock
Uncertainty in the construction sector remains a major concern, and the outlook for real estate developers is becoming increasingly complex. Therefore, understanding the current cost of building a house is crucial amidst a construction cost trend that continues to rise in both pesos and dollars .
The value per square meter of construction is consolidating as one of the variables that directly impact the dynamics of real estate prices and the decisions of both developers and individuals who are considering building.
In pesos, the increase was 1% in February compared to the previous month, according to the Construction Cost Index of the city of Buenos Aires, and the cost per square meter reached $1,391,033 (plus VAT) , while the unofficial exchange rate (blue dollar) hovered around $1,435 that month. With that exchange rate, the construction cost became approximately US$969 per square meter (plus VAT) .
In practice, this means that construction costs increased by about 6% in dollar terms in just one month , even though the increase in pesos was much smaller. The explanation lies in the exchange rate: when the dollar falls or remains stable while costs in pesos rise, the cost of construction measured in dollars tends to increase .
Building in dollars became nearly 6% more expensive in just one month. Shutterstock
It's important to note that the cost figure compiled by the city of Buenos Aires doesn't include the land value or several other relevant items. Taxes, professional fees, marketing, and the developer's profit are not included, which leaves that number quite far from the actual cost of a project .
According to leading real estate developers consulted by LA NACION , the most affordable price per square meter starts at US$1,500 + VAT (over $2 million) . Meanwhile, for a higher-end home with premium finishes and materials, the price can reach US$4,000 + VAT (almost $6 million).
If these values are compared with the sale prices of used houses in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the average square meter was US$1778 - for a three-bedroom property of 170 m² - according to the latest data from Zonaprop in February .
In that regard, a three-bedroom property has an average listing price of approximately US$302,177 , while a four-bedroom home reaches US$482,194 . It should be noted that these are average values derived from considering the minimum and maximum prices offered in the City of Buenos Aires.
Where are the biggest increases reflected? The rise indicated by the ICC is explained by the increases in materials (0.4%) , labor (1.7%) and overhead costs (2%) .
www.buysllba.com
Source:
Mínimo y realista: cuánto cuesta construir una casa “barata” de 70 m² en 2026
Los costos de construcción continúan en alza y la baja del dólar impactó de manera directa en los precios en moneda extranjera
www.lanacion.com.ar
March 31, 2026
Construction costs continue to rise, and the decline of the dollar directly impacted prices in foreign currency.
In pesos, the increase in construction costs was 1% in February compared to the previous month, but in dollars the impact was much greater. Shutterstock
Uncertainty in the construction sector remains a major concern, and the outlook for real estate developers is becoming increasingly complex. Therefore, understanding the current cost of building a house is crucial amidst a construction cost trend that continues to rise in both pesos and dollars .
The value per square meter of construction is consolidating as one of the variables that directly impact the dynamics of real estate prices and the decisions of both developers and individuals who are considering building.
In pesos, the increase was 1% in February compared to the previous month, according to the Construction Cost Index of the city of Buenos Aires, and the cost per square meter reached $1,391,033 (plus VAT) , while the unofficial exchange rate (blue dollar) hovered around $1,435 that month. With that exchange rate, the construction cost became approximately US$969 per square meter (plus VAT) .
In practice, this means that construction costs increased by about 6% in dollar terms in just one month , even though the increase in pesos was much smaller. The explanation lies in the exchange rate: when the dollar falls or remains stable while costs in pesos rise, the cost of construction measured in dollars tends to increase .
Building in dollars became nearly 6% more expensive in just one month. Shutterstock
It's important to note that the cost figure compiled by the city of Buenos Aires doesn't include the land value or several other relevant items. Taxes, professional fees, marketing, and the developer's profit are not included, which leaves that number quite far from the actual cost of a project .
According to leading real estate developers consulted by LA NACION , the most affordable price per square meter starts at US$1,500 + VAT (over $2 million) . Meanwhile, for a higher-end home with premium finishes and materials, the price can reach US$4,000 + VAT (almost $6 million).
How much does a 70 m² house cost?
Thus, building an affordable 70 m² house costs around US$67,830 (CLP$97,372,310), based on the ICC's valuation. However, if the developer's expenses are included, the total cost will be US$105,000.If these values are compared with the sale prices of used houses in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the average square meter was US$1778 - for a three-bedroom property of 170 m² - according to the latest data from Zonaprop in February .
In that regard, a three-bedroom property has an average listing price of approximately US$302,177 , while a four-bedroom home reaches US$482,194 . It should be noted that these are average values derived from considering the minimum and maximum prices offered in the City of Buenos Aires.
Where are the biggest increases reflected? The rise indicated by the ICC is explained by the increases in materials (0.4%) , labor (1.7%) and overhead costs (2%) .
www.buysllba.com
