Where NBS Builds
Where These NBS Examples Apply
NBS-specific pricing and examples on this page apply to Amherst County, Appomattox County, Bedford County, Campbell County, Caroline County, Danville City, Franklin County, Louisa County, Lynchburg City, Pittsylvania County, Roanoke City, and Roanoke County.
The statewide figures in this guide are planning context. Actual costs depend on the property, selected plan, site conditions, and project scope.
Virginia Build Cost Guide
Virginia Home-Building Costs at a Glance
A useful building budget separates the home itself from land, site preparation, utilities, permits, financing, and optional selections.
NBS plans
Current plans start at $199,900.
Property-specific costs
Land, site work, utilities, permits, and selections vary by property and scope.
Construction timeline
Construction takes approximately eight months from groundbreaking.
Start With a Proven Plan
NBS Plan Pricing
Current NBS starting prices cover the home itself. Land, site work, upgrades, and property-specific expenses are separate.
Heritage
From $199,900
3 beds · 2 baths · 960 sq. ft.
Pinnacle
From $249,900
3 beds · 2 baths · 1,505 sq. ft.
Summit
From $299,900
3 beds · 2 baths · 1,500 sq. ft. · 2-car garage
Legacy
From $349,900
3 beds · 2 baths · 2,455 sq. ft. · 2-car garage
Understand the Whole Budget
Base Price vs. Total Project Budget
Base price
A base price covers the home scope defined for the selected plan.
Total project budget
A total project budget may also include land, site preparation, utility or septic work, permits, financing costs, and optional selections.
When you already own the land, you remove the purchase price of the lot from the new project budget. You still need to account for work required to make the parcel build-ready.
Plan Beyond the Home
Costs to Plan for Beyond the House
Land and site conditions can materially change a build-on-your-land budget. A property-specific review is the right next step before treating planning information as an estimate.
Land
Acreage, access, utility availability, and location all affect the property portion of the budget.
Site Work and Utilities
Well, septic, driveway, clearing, grading, drainage, and utility routes depend on the parcel.
Finishes and Selections
Countertops, flooring, fixtures, appliances, and other optional selections can affect the approved scope.
Permits and Fees
Permit, inspection, and utility-connection requirements vary by locality and project.
Grading and foundation requirements depend heavily on slope, soil, drainage, and home placement. See how the NBS build-on-your-land process works.
Put the Pieces Together
How Property Conditions Shape the Total Budget
The same home plan can produce a different project budget on different properties. These common scenarios show why a parcel review matters.
Prepared lot
Existing access and nearby utilities may reduce the amount of site preparation required.
Rural property
A well, septic system, driveway, or longer utility routes can add property-specific work.
Wooded or sloped site
Clearing, grading, drainage, engineering, and foundation needs may increase the site scope.
Make Deliberate Tradeoffs
Ways to Control Your Build Budget
Use suitable land you already own
This can remove the lot purchase cost and, depending on the lender and loan program, the land's value may be considered in financing.
Choose a proven plan
A repeatable plan can reduce design decisions and make included features easier to compare.
Prioritize the spaces you use most
Additional living or bedroom space may affect cost differently than adding another kitchen, bathroom, or complex structural feature.
Let the site inform placement
Slope, drainage, access, clearing, and utility routes can materially affect sitework.
Make selections early
Timely decisions help the builder price the approved scope and reduce avoidable changes during construction.
Compare the Whole Picture
Is It Better to Build, Buy, or Go Fully Custom?
The right comparison is the total cost and condition of each option—not the listing price or base price alone.
Buy a resale home
A resale home may offer a faster path to occupancy, but it may also require repairs or updates.
Build from a proven plan
A plan-based new home offers a balance of new systems, defined plan choices, and site-specific construction.
Build fully custom
A fully custom project may provide more design freedom but typically requires more one-off design and pricing decisions.
If you already own suitable land, the project does not include a new lot purchase. The meaningful comparison still depends on sitework, financing, selected finishes, and the condition of available resale homes.
Plan the Path to Construction
Financing and Timeline
Construction financing
Many build-on-your-land buyers use construction-to-permanent financing. Depending on the lender and loan program, the construction loan may convert to a standard mortgage after completion, and land value may be considered toward required equity or down payment.
NBS Homes is not a lender. Loan structures, rates, draw schedules, closing costs, and qualification requirements vary. Confirm all financing details directly with your lender.
NBS timeline
Once the property is build-ready and the agreement is signed, NBS generally aims to break ground within about 60 days. Construction takes approximately eight months from groundbreaking to completion. Weather, approvals, financing, and site conditions can affect scheduling.
From Plan to Property Review
How NBS Pricing Works
NBS uses a plan-based process so buyers can begin with a defined home design and base scope. Before relying on a project total, the selected plan, property conditions, required sitework, utilities, permits, and optional selections must be reviewed together.
1. Choose a plan
Begin with the plan and defined base scope that fit your goals.
2. Review the property
Account for site conditions, access, utilities, permitting, and required sitework.
3. Confirm the approved scope
Document the selected scope, inclusions, exclusions, and applicable terms in the proposal and contract.
This page is planning information, not a quote or contractual description of pricing. Final terms belong in the applicable proposal and contract.
Common Decision Questions
FAQs About the Cost to Build a House in Virginia
How much does it cost per square foot to build in Virginia?
Cost per square foot depends on location, home size, design, finishes, site conditions, and what is included. A property and scope review is more useful than a single statewide figure.
What is included in an NBS base price?
A base price applies to the home scope defined for the selected plan. Land, site work, optional upgrades, and property-specific expenses are separate.
How much does site work cost on a rural lot?
Costs depend on well and septic requirements, driveway length, clearing, grading, drainage, utility routes, and foundation conditions. The parcel must be reviewed.
How long does it take to build an NBS home?
NBS generally aims to break ground within about 60 days once the property is build-ready and the agreement is signed. Construction takes approximately eight months from groundbreaking to completion. Permitting, financing, weather, and site conditions can affect the schedule.
Can land I already own help with financing?
It may. Some lenders and loan programs may consider land value toward equity or down-payment requirements. Confirm the treatment of your property directly with your lender.
Can the project price change?
The applicable proposal and contract should define the approved scope, inclusions, exclusions, allowances, and change process.
Ready for a Property-Specific Review?
Start With Your Land, Plan, and Priorities
Talk with NBS about the property and plan you are considering.