Calculate Ability

Construction Cost Estimator

US and Canada cost ranges and per-square-foot pricing.

Inputs

sq ft
%

Results

Estimated project cost (USD)

$283,866 – $400,752

Midpoint $333,960 · $152 per square foot

Base construction cost$303,600
Contingency reserve$30,360
Midpoint total$333,960
Materials (approx. 42%)$140,263
Labor (approx. 40%)$133,584
Permits & fees (approx. 6%)$20,038
Overhead & profit (approx. 12%)$40,075
Cost per square foot$151.80 / sq ft
Project size2,000 sq ft

Figures are shown in USD and built from United States national averages with a regional multiplier. Canadian and US rates are independent local averages, not currency conversions of each other. Site conditions, foundation type, and current material pricing can move a real bid well outside this band. Always get itemized quotes from licensed contractors.

$283,866$400,752 · $152/sq ft USD

How this is calculated

Preliminary construction budgets are built from a cost per square foot, adjusted for what you are building, how it is finished, and where it is being built:

cost/sq ft = base rate × grade factor × regional factor

base cost = square footage × cost/sq ft

A contingency reserve is then added on top, because almost every project encounters something unforeseen once walls are open or soil is tested:

total = base cost × (1 + contingency ÷ 100)

The range shown spans roughly 15% below to 20% above the midpoint, which reflects the normal spread of competitive bids on the same set of plans. The split into materials, labor, permits and overhead follows typical industry ratios: materials and labor each account for around 40% of hard costs, with permits, insurance, supervision and contractor profit making up the rest.

Frequently asked questions