Building a bigger house now costs $31,000 more than in 2008 — even as home sizes rebound and sales improve

It cost only $31,000 more to build a 2,722-square-foot home in June 2009 than a 1,577-square-foot home in February 2008, despite a 73% increase in size. The average size of a new home in Manteca fell to 1,577 square feet in February 2008 at the bottom of the housing market. City building statistics from June 2009 show the typical new home start in Manteca averages 2,722 square feet. Manteca issued permits for 34 new homes in June 2009, the highest monthly total in over a year. It cost $148,559 to build the average new home in Manteca in June 2009, up from $136,616 in June 2008. It cost $25,000 more per 1,000 square feet to build in June 2009 compared to June 2008.