Complete Guide to Building a House in Saudi Arabia 2025: Costs from Foundation to Finishing

Building your dream home is one of the most significant financial decisions in anyone's life. With economic changes and rising construction material prices, careful financial planning before starting your building project has become essential. In this comprehensive guide, we provide everything you need to know about the cost of building a house in Saudi Arabia for 2025.

1. Average Construction Cost Per Square Meter in 2025

Construction costs vary depending on the project type and required finishing level. Here are the current approximate figures:

Shell without materials: 120 - 160 SAR/m²

Shell with materials: 500 - 700 SAR/m²

Medium finishing: 1,000 - 1,400 SAR/m²

Turnkey (luxury): 1,800 - 3,000 SAR/m²

2. Detailed Shell Construction Costs

The shell phase is the foundation upon which your home is built, including excavation, foundations, columns, roofs, and walls. This phase consumes approximately 40-50% of the total construction budget.

Practical example: 300m² villa × 650 SAR = approximately 195,000 SAR for shell with materials

3. Basic Building Materials Costs

Material prices change constantly, but here are current estimates:

Ready-mix concrete: 180 - 220 SAR/m³

Reinforcement steel: 2,800 - 3,200 SAR/ton

Red bricks: 0.80 - 1.20 SAR/piece

Cement blocks: 2.50 - 4 SAR/piece

4. Interior and Exterior Finishing Costs

Finishing determines the final look and appearance of your home, divided into three levels:

Economic finishing: 700 - 900 SAR/m²

Medium finishing: 1,000 - 1,400 SAR/m²

Luxury finishing: 1,800 - 3,000 SAR/m²

5. Practical Cost Examples

Let's put the numbers in a practical context:

Single floor 200m² (medium finish): 240,000 - 280,000 SAR

Two floors 300m² (medium finish): 360,000 - 420,000 SAR

Villa 375m² turnkey: 560,000 - 950,000 SAR

6. Factors Affecting Cost

Several factors determine the final cost of your project:

Geographic location: Construction in Riyadh and Jeddah is 15-25% more expensive than smaller cities

Design complexity: Complex designs increase costs by 20-30%

Material quality: Luxury materials can double finishing costs

Contractor experience: Professional contractors may be more expensive but save you from costly mistakes

7. Golden Tips to Save Costs

You can save 20-30% of your budget by following these tips:

Pre-planning: Define your needs precisely before starting to avoid costly modifications

Compare quotes: Get 3-5 quotes from different contractors

Right timing: Construction material prices usually drop in summer

Phased construction: You can start with the shell and finish later

8. Additional Costs Not to Forget

There are costs many people overlook:

Permits and compliance fees: 5,000 - 15,000 SAR

Electricity and water connection: 10,000 - 20,000 SAR

Fence and gates: 30,000 - 80,000 SAR

Landscaping: 15,000 - 50,000 SAR

Emergency reserve: 10-15% of total budget

9. How to Choose the Right Contractor?

Choosing the right contractor saves you a lot of trouble and costs:

Check their record: Ask to see previous projects and speak with past clients

Detailed contract: Ensure a clear contract including timeline and specifications

Payment schedule: Don't pay more than 30% upfront

Engineering supervision: Hire an engineering firm to supervise implementation

Conclusion

Building a house in Saudi Arabia 2025 requires a budget ranging from 200,000 SAR for small homes to over one million SAR for luxury villas. The key is good planning, choosing the right contractor, and flexibility in expectations. Remember that your home is a long-term investment, so don't skimp on quality for the basics, and you can save on finishes that can be changed later.