Construction Cost Calculator
Pick a project type, enter the floor area, and choose a quality level. The estimator applies a typical all-in cost per square foot, adjusts for your region, splits the total into materials and labor, and adds a contingency — returning a budget range you can take into bids.
Your measurements
Total square footage of the project — gross floor area.
Project
- Type
- New home
- Area
- 2,000 ft²
- Quality
- Standard
- All-in rate
- $170.00 / ft²
Cost breakdown
- Materials
- $153,000.00
- Labor
- $187,000.00
- Contingency (10%)
- $34,000.00
Estimated project cost
$374,000.00
$317,900.00 – $430,100.00 range
Estimate
- Low (−15%)
- $317,900.00
- High (+15%)
- $430,100.00
- Effective cost
- $187.00 / ft²
Where the budget goes
- Materials$153,000.00
- Labor$187,000.00
- Contingency (10%)$34,000.00
Estimates only. Verify against your supplier's coverage figures before ordering.
Footprint
Footprint to scale
The formula
Estimated cost = Area × [base $/ft² (project × quality × region) + foundation add] × (1 + contingency). Range = ±15%.
Example: A 2,000 ft² standard new home at the national average: 2,000 × $170 = $340,000 all-in, ~$153,000 materials and ~$187,000 labor, plus a 10% contingency → about $374,000 (range $318K–$430K).
How it works
- 1Each project type carries a typical all-in cost per square foot (materials + labor) at a standard build quality.
- 2That rate is scaled by your build quality (economy ~0.72×, standard 1×, premium ~1.4×, luxury ~2×) and your region.
- 3For buildings, a foundation upgrade adds to the rate over a slab baseline — about +$12/ft² for a crawl space, +$35 for an unfinished basement, +$70 for a finished one.
- 4Multiply by the floor area to get a subtotal, then split it into materials and labor.
- 5A contingency percentage is added on top for change orders and surprises.
- 6The result is shown as a ±15% range — use it to sanity-check bids, not as a fixed quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build per square foot?
In the US, a new home runs roughly $150–$220 per square foot for a standard build (materials + labor), with premium finishes around $200–$270 and luxury pushing $300–$500+; economy builds sit near $120–$150. Additions cost more per foot than new homes, while garages, decks and sheds cost much less. This tool uses those typical rates and adjusts for region.
What share of construction cost is labor vs. materials?
A common rule of thumb is roughly 40–50% materials and 50–60% labor for new construction, though it varies by trade and project. The estimator uses a materials share per project type and reports both numbers so you can budget each.
Why is the estimate a range instead of one number?
Real construction cost depends on site conditions, finish choices, permits and local labor rates that no calculator can know up front. The ±15% band reflects that uncertainty — get firm numbers from contractor bids before committing.
Does a basement add a lot to the cost?
Yes — it's one of the biggest swings. Over a slab baseline, a crawl space adds roughly $12 per square foot, an unfinished basement about $35, and a finished basement around $70 (it's essentially finished living space). Set the foundation under Advanced options to include it; it applies to homes, additions, garages and sheds, not decks or remodels.
Does this include land, permits and design fees?
No. It estimates the hard cost of building the structure itself. Land, permits, architectural/engineering fees, utility hookups and financing are soft costs you should budget separately on top of this figure.