The Real Estate Professor — Free Tools

Builder Cost Calculator

Build the whole budget, not just the house

By Mark Hasfurter — Remodeling since 1988 · Broker since 2000 · General Contractor

A price per square foot is only the starting line. Site work, utilities, permits, selections, contingency, and builder markup can move the final number quickly. Enter your working assumptions below to create a more complete early-stage construction budget.

Finished living area (sq. ft.)

Base construction cost ($/sq. ft.)House construction before separate site costs and upgrades.

Site work & utilities ($)Clearing, grading, driveway, septic or utility connections.

Plans, engineering & permits ($)

Upgrades above allowances ($)Cabinets, flooring, fixtures, appliances, and finish choices.

Other project costs ($)Landscaping, temporary services, surveys, or owner costs.

Contingency reserve (%)

Builder overhead & profit (%)Applied after contingency in this planning estimate.

Budget line	Estimate
Base house construction	—
Site, permits, upgrades & other	—
Contingency reserve	—
Builder overhead & profit	—

Direct cost before reserves

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Planning cost per finished sq. ft.

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Estimated construction budget

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Three numbers every bid needs

Scope says exactly what is included. Allowances reveal how much has been reserved for unfinished selections. Exclusions show what you still need to pay outside the proposal. Compare bids line by line, not just by the number at the bottom.

This estimate intentionally separates contingency and markup. A contingency is money reserved for uncertainty; markup pays the builder for overhead, coordination, risk, and profit. They solve different problems and both need to be visible.

Mark's rule: The cheapest bid is not a bargain when it leaves the most expensive work outside the scope.

More free tools: Terms Wheel · Repair Costs · Deal Analyzer · Mortgage Calculator · All calculators.

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