Construction Cost Estimator
Create detailed project budgets for renovations or new builds. Item-based estimation with tax, contingency margins, and local storage autosave.
| Item Name | Qty | Unit Cost | Total |
|---|
About
Accurate estimation is the firewall between a profitable project and a financial disaster. Whether you are a general contractor bidding on a job or a homeowner planning a kitchen remodel, costs rarely stay linear. This "Item-Based" estimator allows you to granularly track expenses across categories like Materials, Labor, and Permits.
Crucially, this tool accounts for the "Unknowns" via a customizable Contingency setting. Industry standards suggest a 10-20% buffer for renovation projects to cover hidden rot, code upgrades, or price fluctuations. Your data is stored locally in your browser, allowing you to close the tab and return to your draft later without losing progress.
Formulas
The Total Project Cost (TPC) is calculated by summing individual line items and applying global multipliers:
The Grand Total includes buffers:
Reference Data
| Category | Unit | Range (Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition | Sq Ft | $3 - $10 |
| Framing | Sq Ft | $7 - $16 |
| Drywall (Hang+Finish) | Panel (4x8) | $40 - $60 |
| Painting | Sq Ft | $2 - $5 |
| Flooring (Install) | Sq Ft | $3 - $12 |
| Electrical | Per Opening | $75 - $150 |
| Contingency | % | 10% (New) - 20% (Remodel) |
| Overhead/Profit | % | 15% - 25% (Contractor) |