Last Updated on February 13, 2025

We’re Bolivian and regularly assist thousands of Bolivians in understanding real estate and home-building processes in our country (you can check out our Bolivian real estate website). We’re sharing all our expertise with you here.

The cost of building a house in Bolivia ranges from $21/sq ft to $50/sq ft for most types of houses. Luxury Bolivian houses, comparable to those of high-income individuals in developed countries, range from $35/sq ft to $100/sq ft. Buildings and high-rises range from $50/sq ft to $150/sq ft.

Below, we’ll discuss the cost of building a house in Bolivia, providing detailed information based on the type of house you want to build. We’ve also included a handy calculator to help you simulate the costs of your construction project.

Cost Per Square Foot is the Key Metric

In Bolivia, construction costs are typically measured in dollars per square meter ($/m²), but we’ll convert this to dollars per square foot ($/sq ft) for easier understanding. Bolivian homebuilders generally use this metric as the primary indicator for estimating home construction costs.

This metric encompasses all construction costs, from the foundation to the roof, including all finishing work, such as painting and everything else needed to make a property fully functional. We’ll use this metric throughout our estimations.

Estimating the Total Cost of Building a House in Bolivia

To estimate the total cost of a construction project in Bolivia, multiply the cost per square foot ($/sq ft) by the total square footage of the house. The equation is as follows:

• Square Footage * $/sq ft = Total Cost

Building Costs by Type of House

Several types of houses are commonly built in Bolivia, primarily depending on the income of the person building the house and the location of the land, among other factors.

Next, we’ll detail the costs of building *the most common and significant types* of houses you’ll find in our country:

1. The most affordable houses typically built in Bolivia.
2. Average houses built by the majority of people.
3. Residential houses for high-income Bolivians.
4. Luxury houses located in the best neighborhoods.
5. Multi-family houses and skyscrapers.

1) The Most Affordable Houses Typically Built in Bolivia

These houses include nothing beyond what is essential for functionality – they are the most inexpensive you can build in the country. They’re typically built by lower-income individuals on the outskirts of Bolivian cities and in low-income neighborhoods. It’s extremely rare to see a foreigner living in or near a property like this.

These houses typically have a small living room, a small bathroom, a small kitchen, and one to three bedrooms. They usually range in size from 500 sq ft to 800 sq ft. Their construction adheres to at least the most basic building standards, making them reasonably safe and functional for several years.

This type of house in Bolivia costs between $21/sq ft and $27/sq ft to build.

An Example

This means that if you want to build a 600 sq ft house of this type in Bolivia, you’ll spend approximately $24 * 600 sq ft = $14,400.

The final cost for a 600 sq ft structure of this type will be $14,400, although it could range from $12,600 to $16,200. (Note the correction in the lower range calculation)

2) Average Houses Built by the Majority of People

This is the most common type of house built in Bolivia. It generally doesn’t include any extra features or amenities beyond what an average-income Bolivian family needs. These properties are very common in most neighborhoods and zones of the country’s major cities.

These homes aren’t solely focused on maximizing cost savings; they include some additional space and better finishing work, both inside and out. They typically have extra bedrooms and bathrooms, larger kitchens, and spaces like garages, gardens, and similar features.

This type of home in Bolivia has a building cost of between $26/sq ft and $30/sq ft.

An Example

This means that if you want to build, say, an average 1,200 sq ft Bolivian house spread over one or two floors, you’ll likely spend around $28 * 1,200 sq ft = $33,600.

The final cost for a 1,200 sq ft structure of this type will be $33,600, although it could range from $31,200 to $36,000.

3) Residential Houses for High-Income Bolivians

Around 5% of Bolivians live in this type of house. These individuals have higher incomes (between $1,000 and $2,000 per month), allowing them to live in residential homes. You can compare these houses to those found in lower- to middle-class neighborhoods in the US and European countries.

You’ll find these homes almost exclusively in residential neighborhoods of Bolivia, where many middle- to high-income people live, along with some expats from developed countries. Examples of these zones include Cota Cota in La Paz, Tiquipaya in Cochabamba, and the North Zone in Santa Cruz.

These properties offer all the functionality that a low- to average-income resident of a developed country would expect, with respectable architectural designs and some extra spaces, such as studies, guest rooms, nurseries, attics, basements, and similar areas. They also feature good-quality construction materials.

This type of house in Bolivia has a building cost of between $29/sq ft and $35/sq ft.

An Example

This means that if you want to build a residential Bolivian home (which typically has one to three floors and 2,500 square feet of construction), you’ll likely spend around $32 * 2,500 sq ft = $80,000.

The final cost for a 2,500 sq ft structure of this type will be $80,000, although it could range from $72,500 to $87,500. (Corrected the lower number)

4) Luxury Houses Located in the Best Neighborhoods

Wealthy Bolivians (less than 0.5% of the population) tend to live in the most exclusive zones and neighborhoods in Bolivia’s major cities, *as do most expats from developed countries*. These individuals have very high incomes, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per month (many are millionaires or earn significantly more than $5,000/month).

Cost is no longer a primary concern for these properties; they focus on luxury, high-quality materials, artistic designs, extensive functionality, and ample space for various purposes. These homes are comparable to those owned by middle- to upper-class individuals in developed countries, such as the US or European nations.

This type of house in Bolivia has a building cost between $35/sq ft and $100/sq ft, *with $100/sq ft serving as a reference point*, as costs can increase significantly with even greater luxury.

An Example

This means that to build a luxury Bolivian house (typically with 3,500 square feet of space and one to three floors), you’ll need to spend approximately $50 * 3,500 sq ft = $175,000, but this cost can vary considerably.

The final cost for a 3,500 sq ft structure of this type will be around $175,000, although it could range from $122,500 to $350,000.

5) Multi-Family Houses and Skyscrapers

What are commonly called duplexes, triplexes, or multiplexes in developed countries have an analogue in Bolivia in the form of multi-family buildings, generally consisting of multi-story buildings and apartment skyscrapers. It’s uncommon to find duplexes or triplexes with a Western style and design in Bolivia.

Instead, you’ll find numerous buildings with four to eight stories, each containing one or two independent apartments. Bolivians often construct shorter buildings with five to ten different owners or families. However, there are also commercial buildings and high-rises exceeding ten floors, housing numerous apartments.

This type of property in Bolivia typically has a building cost between $50/sq ft and $150/sq ft. The cost variability *largely depends on the number of stories* the building or skyscraper will have.

An Example

This means that a typical multi-family Bolivian building with six floors (usually having around 10,000 square feet distributed across seven levels) will cost approximately $50 * 10,000 sq ft = $500,000 to build. Remember that the $/sq ft varies significantly based on the number of stories.

The final cost for an 10,000 sq ft building of this type (a six-story multi-family building) would be around $50 * 10,000 sq ft = $500,000. (Corrected Calculation and sq ft number)

The final cost for a 20,000 sq ft building of this type (a ten-story apartment high-rise) would be around $75 * 20,000 sq ft = $1,500,000.

The final cost for a 55,000 sq ft building of this type (a twenty-story apartment skyscraper) would be around $100 * 55,000 sq ft = $5,500,000.

Calculator to Estimate Building Costs in Bolivia

Comparing and Evaluating the Quality of Bolivian Houses

There are significant differences between Bolivian houses and those in developed countries. Of course, all the types of houses described in this article meet at least basic safety standards and minimum construction quality requirements.

However, the first two categories of homes we’ve discussed are generally built by teams of masons, while residential and luxury homes are almost always constructed by established construction companies with expertise.

It’s crucial to be cautious in this regard. Hiring a team of masons versus a construction company in Bolivia will yield vastly different results, as illustrated in the images above. Construction companies will typically be 10% to 30% more expensive.

Furthermore, for a clearer understanding of how each type of house described above *compares to a house in a developed country*, such as the United States or European countries, refer to the following table.

As the table shows, houses in Bolivia are generally *one level lower in quality and functionality compared to houses in developed countries*. For example, an average house in Bolivia is comparable to low-income housing in the US, a residential house in Bolivia is similar to middle-income housing in England, and so forth.

It’s important to emphasize that the cost per square foot of construction in Bolivia is considerably lower than the average cost in developed countries, where it can range from $100 to $500 per sq ft. In contrast, construction costs in Bolivia range from $20 to $150 per sq ft for most of the house types described.

Always Hire a Reputable Building Company

In Bolivia, there’s a significant amount of informal construction. This means that teams of masons and laborers work together without the backing of a registered construction company, often building houses without the necessary permits and licenses from local or city authorities. It’s a common practice to hire them (partly because they’re somewhat cheaper), so many people in Bolivia simply hire a group of masons to build their homes.

We strongly advise against this practice. You should always hire a reputable Bolivian building company for your construction project. The established building companies in Bolivia are generally competent and provide decent workmanship, and their fees aren’t significantly higher than those of informal workers.

For instance, if a team of masons charges $25 per sq ft, a formal and legal building company might charge $30 per sq ft for the same work. In Bolivia, hiring masons instead of companies is more of a cultural norm than a significant cost-saving measure.

You can clearly see the difference in the finished product between a house built by a team of laborers and masons versus a reputable building company in the images above (categories 1 and 2 versus categories 3 and 4). *And the work is often done at nearly the same cost*.

Be Wary of Being Overcharged as a Foreigner

Be very cautious about being charged significantly more than you should simply because you’re a foreigner. Always carefully review the budget plan provided by a Bolivian building company. It’s not uncommon for Bolivians to inflate prices for people from other countries.

You might find that while the average cost for Bolivians is $30 per sq ft, you’re quoted $60 or even $100 per sq ft solely due to your foreign status. Don’t allow these companies to exploit your situation. If you encounter this, *seek out another building company with more reasonable construction costs*.

Don’t let building companies in Bolivia take advantage of your status as a foreigner. They should charge you roughly the same as they charge Bolivian citizens.

Conclusions

In this article, you’ve learned about the cost of building a house in Bolivia, primarily depending on the type of house you intend to construct. You’ve seen that there are five main categories of houses in the country, ranging from very affordable homes to luxury residences and multi-family buildings.

You’ve discovered that construction costs range from $20/sq ft to $150/sq ft for most houses and buildings. For a home comparable to an average house in a developed country, the costs range from $29/sq ft to $100/sq ft. This can be considered inexpensive compared to developed countries, where costs can range from $50/sq ft to $500/sq ft.

You’ve also learned that it’s crucial to hire a licensed and reputable building company for your construction project in Bolivia, as it’s common practice to hire informal teams of masons who often deliver subpar work. Finally, be vigilant and don’t allow building companies to take advantage of your foreign status; they should charge you similarly to what they charge Bolivian clients.

We hope this information has been useful. If you’d like to know how much it costs to *buy* a house in Bolivia, with detailed breakdowns and figures by property type, please visit our comprehensive guide here: How much does a house cost in Bolivia? All the facts and numbers.

CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.