Construction Cost Estimates
Build a budget from scope, quantities, unit costs, or comparable projects, then see its effect on funding and returns.
Choose the Estimate Method.
Use a lump sum, cost per square foot, CSI trade budget, or manual takeoff at the level your scope supports. CSI groups construction work by trade. The Free plan starts with entered CSI budgets.
This worked example uses fictional costs. No regional price feed or contractor quote is connected.
Construction Cost Estimates
1 / 2 · Manual CSI budgetLaunch Feature| CSI trade | Subtotal |
|---|---|
| Concrete | $250,000 |
| Metals | $150,000 |
| Wood | $450,000 |
| Finishes | $350,000 |
| Plumbing | $250,000 |
| Electrical | $250,000 |
| Other trades | $150,000 |
| Total hard cost | $1,850,000 |
Manual budget entry · No automatic estimate
Use ← → keys to move between chapters
Browse the views. Every chapter keeps the same illustrative $1,850,000 baseline hard cost. These costs are not current prices for any city or region.
Review the Project Effect.
A higher construction budget can mean more equity, more borrowing, or a different result. Keep the connection visible as you test the options.
Base budget
- Total project cost
- $2,500,000
- Loan · 60%
- $1,500,000
- Equity
- $1,000,000
- Annual interest · 6.5%
- $97,500
- Annual cash after interest
- $112,500
- Cash-on-cash
- 11.25%
Higher-cost example
- Total project cost
- $2,750,000
- Loan · 60%
- $1,650,000
- Equity
- $1,100,000
- Annual interest · 6.5%
- $107,250
- Annual cash after interest
- $102,750
- Cash-on-cash
- 9.34%
Both examples keep other costs at $650,000 and NOI at $210,000. Only the construction budget changes.
Keep the Cost Basis Visible.
A contractor's quote can tell you more than a broad average. Keep the scope, location, source, and date beside the number so you know what it represents.
Illustrative quote · Fictional contractor · Sample scope
- Scope
- Sample scope
- Location
- Example location field
- Source
- Fictional contractor
- Date
- Example date field
No GC partner supplied this preview data.
Free starts with a manual CSI budget. Pro adds custom line items, manual takeoffs, multiple budgets, and renovation planning. Review pricing for plan allocations.
Questions about the budget.
Can I use my own contractor's numbers?
Yes. Use your own quantities and costs, and record where a figure came from. You stay in control of the budget.
Are these current prices for my city?
No. Website previews use illustrative figures. Any real cost data must show its coverage, source, and date.
Will Model price the job for me?
Start from your own quotes and quantities. Review the source, scope, location, and date before using any outside cost figure. A budget estimate is not a contractor quote.
Can I work from drawings?
Yes. Manual takeoff supports your own quantities, and you keep the scope and source with each line.