How much it costs to build a house in 2026 surprises those who dream of building their own home, because even a low-standard one already requires more than R$ 120 thousand.

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 12/05/2026 at 18:22

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The CUB reference value in Minas Gerais reached R$ 2,501.44 per square meter in February 2026, increasing the estimated cost of popular homes of 50, 60, and 70 m² even in the low standard, without including land, projects, fees, permits, walls, and landscaping.

How much it costs to build a popular house in 2026, in Minas Gerais, has an official reference of R$ 2,501.44 per square meter, a monthly indicator used to measure residential costs.

With this value, a 50 square meter house reaches R$ 125,072.00. A 60 square meter unit reaches R$ 150,086.40, while a 70 square meter construction totals R$ 175,100.80 in the low standard.

The numbers show that even a compact house already exceeds R$ 120,000 when calculated by the Basic Unit Cost (CUB) reference. The value represents the body of the work in the basic standard, not the final cost.

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How much it costs to build a house according to CUB

CUB, Basic Unit Cost, is used as a technical and official reference for construction costs in Brazil. The table was created by Law 4,591/64 and follows criteria defined by ABNT NBR 12,721.

Every month, the Civil Construction Union (Sindicato da Construção Civil) publishes this value. The monthly update allows monitoring changes in construction costs and serves as a basis for estimating residential expenses.

The reference used here is Minas Gerais, with code R-1, linked to single-family residence. This code must be observed by those who consult the table to calculate a popular house in the informed standard.

In February 2026, the CUB table value for low-standard residential construction in Minas Gerais is set at R$ 2,501.44 per square meter. This is the central number for the simulations presented.

What “low standard” means in construction

Low standard does not mean poorly built house. The classification indicates simple, functional, and economical finishing, with basic solutions to reduce costs without turning the construction into a low-quality work.

This standard typically includes common ceramic flooring, simple doors and windows, and PVA paint. It also does not consider plaster ceiling, automation, or more sophisticated finishing items.

In practice, it is the basic done well. The proposal is a residence with essential structure and finishing, within an economic model, without items that increase the cost.

This definition is important because the value of R$ 2,501.44 per square meter refers to the low standard. Works with other finishes may not fit this reference.

Simulations for 50, 60, and 70 square meter houses

The first simulation considers a 50 square meter house. With the square meter at R$ 2,501.44, the multiplication results in R$ 125,072.00 for construction in the low standard.

In the second simulation, the house has 60 square meters. Applying the same CUB value, the reference cost reaches R$ 150,086.40, still within the same residential classification.

The third simulation considers a 70 square meter house. In this case, the calculation reaches R$ 175,100.80, maintaining the same base of R$ 2,501.44 per square meter in Minas Gerais.

Values increase as the square footage grows, because all start from the same reference per square meter. The difference between a 50 and a 70 square meter house reaches R$ 50,028.80.

These simulations help visualize how much it costs to build a popular house in common square footages. They show that the chosen square footage has a direct impact on the estimated cost of the work.

What is included in the table value

The value indicated by the CUB table includes standard materials, labor, social charges, structure, and basic finishing. These items form the basis considered for the technical reference of construction cost.

The presence of these components helps explain why the cost per square meter exceeds R$ 2,500. The reference does not only cover material but also the work and charges involved.

Even so, the CUB table does not function as a complete construction budget. It serves as a technical parameter but does not replace a detailed survey of all expenses of a real construction.

This difference is essential to avoid confusion when planning. The value calculated by CUB shows a reference base, not necessarily everything that will be paid until the house is ready.

Costs that are excluded from the calculation

The CUB table does not include land, projects, fees, permits, walls, and landscaping. These items can alter the final value and need to be considered separately by those planning to build.

Therefore, the final cost of an affordable house can be higher than the number indicated in simulations. The calculation of R$ 125,072.00 for 50 meters, for example, does not represent everything.

The same applies to houses of 60 and 70 square meters. The values of R$ 150,086.40 and R$ 175,100.80 are based on the table but do not include expenses external to the CUB.

In practice, the indicator helps form an initial idea of how much it costs to build a house. However, complete planning requires observing what the table leaves out.

Value changes every month

The CUB is updated monthly by the Civil Construction Union. Therefore, the value for February 2026 represents a snapshot of that month and may change in future disclosures.

Constant updates make monitoring important for those intending to build. As the cost changes month to month, a simulation done today may not yield the same result later.

The creation of a Construction Bulletin was presented to track these updated numbers. The idea is to show the values monthly to assist in project planning.

Based on 2026, the cost to build an affordable house in Minas Gerais starts at R$ 2,501.44 per square meter according to the CUB. For 70 meters, the reference reaches R$ 175,100.80.

How much it costs to build a house in 2026 surprises those who dream of building their own home, because even a low-standard one already requires more than R$ 120 thousand.

The CUB reference value in Minas Gerais reached R$ 2,501.44 per square meter in February 2026, increasing the estimated cost of popular homes of 50, 60, and 70 m² even in the low standard, without including land, projects, fees, permits, walls, and landscaping.

How much it costs to build a house according to CUB

What “low standard” means in construction

Simulations for 50, 60, and 70 square meter houses

What is included in the table value

Costs that are excluded from the calculation

Value changes every month

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How much it costs to build a house in 2026 surprises those who dream of building their own home, because even a low-standard one already requires more than R$ 120 thousand.

The CUB reference value in Minas Gerais reached R$ 2,501.44 per square meter in February 2026, increasing the estimated cost of popular homes of 50, 60, and 70 m² even in the low standard, without including land, projects, fees, permits, walls, and landscaping.

How much it costs to build a house according to CUB

What “low standard” means in construction

Simulations for 50, 60, and 70 square meter houses

What is included in the table value

Costs that are excluded from the calculation

Value changes every month

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While Brazil has been discussing bullet trains for 16 years, China delivers 5 new high-speed lines in 2026, surpasses 50,000 km of HSR, and moves 1 billion passengers in a single year.

With a wingspan of 152 meters, 76 tires, and a capacity to carry 1,270 tons, the Boeing Pelican was the giant “flying ship” that promised to cross oceans close to the water on an invisible air cushion beneath its wings.

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