What drives the cost of a ground up build
Anyone who quotes a hard per square foot number sight unseen is guessing. Here are the things that actually move the cost of a build.
6 minute read
The site comes first
Two identical buildings can cost very differently depending on the ground under them. Poor soils, a site that needs heavy grading, deep utility runs, or storm detention all add cost before the building starts. A flat, clean site with utilities at the property line is a different job than a parcel that needs to be made buildable.
Scope and finish
The building type and finish level move the number as much as anything. A warehouse shell and an upfit office suite are not the same cost per foot, and neither are two multifamily projects with different finishes. The honest way to price is off the actual scope, not a market average.
Schedule and timing
When you build matters. A compressed schedule can add cost through overtime and sequencing. Long lead materials, ordered late, can stall a job or force premium pricing. Planning the schedule and the buyout early keeps timing from becoming a cost of its own.
Why we do not quote a number sight unseen
A real budget comes from the drawings and the site, not from a rule of thumb. That is what preconstruction is for. Send us the project and we will build a number off the actual scope, so what you plan around is real. Call (614) 256-8705 to start.
Common questions
How much does it cost to build?
There is no honest single number without the drawings and the site. Cost is driven by site conditions, building type and finish, and schedule. The reliable way to price a project is a real budget built in preconstruction off the actual scope.
Why won't a contractor give a price per square foot up front?
A per square foot figure quoted sight unseen is a guess. The site, the scope, and the schedule move the real number too much for an average to mean anything. A budget built from the actual drawings and site is the number worth planning around.
Ready to build with a team that answers the phone?
Send us the project and we will come back to you on scope, budget, and schedule.