Construction Cost Calculator

How the construction cost calculator works

The calculator starts from benchmark construction costs per square foot for each building type at a standard quality level, then adjusts them for your region, quality grade, location type, site conditions, structural system, number of floors and project complexity.

Hard cost is the cost of construction itself. Soft costs cover design fees, permits, inspections, testing and other owner costs, shown as an allowance of about 18% that you can switch off. Contingency is applied to both and you choose the percentage.

The CSI division breakdown spreads the hard cost across divisions using typical distributions for that building type, which helps you see where the money usually goes. The schedule is a rough planning duration, not a construction schedule.

Results are budget-level figures meant for feasibility and early planning. Actual costs depend on the drawings, specifications, market conditions and bid climate at the time of pricing, so use a detailed estimate before you commit to a number.