Example output · Construction Project Manager AI
What the Project Cost Estimator actually produces
Takes basic project facts (type, scope, location, schedule) and generates a CSI-division cost breakdown with totals, a materials list with quantities and unit costs, and a trade-by-trade labor plan with crew sizes and durations.
- Project Type:
- Ground-up commercial retail building
- Scope:
- 12,000 sq ft single-story retail shell with parking lot, site utilities, and facade finish
- Location:
- Round Rock, TX
- Timeline:
- 8-month construction schedule starting March 2026
GROUND-UP RETAIL SHELL - 12,000 SF | Round Rock, TX | 8-Mo Schedule (Mar–Oct 2026) Div 02 Sitework/Demo/Earthwork: $95,000 Div 02 Utilities (water, sewer, storm, gas): $150,000 Div 03 Concrete (slab, footings, foundations): $216,000 Div 04 Masonry (CMU backup): $108,000 Div 05 Structural Steel: $216,000 Div 06 Misc./Rough Carpentry: $35,000 Div 07 Roofing/Waterproofing: $108,000 Div 08 Storefront/Doors/Glazing: $132,000 Div 09 Finishes (shell only - restrooms/core): $60,000 Div 21 Fire Protection: $84,000 Div 22 Plumbing: $96,000 Div 23 HVAC (5 RTUs): $180,000 Div 26 Electrical/Site Lighting: $180,000 Div 31/32 Paving, Striping, Landscaping: $220,000 Div 04/07 Facade/EIFS/Stone Veneer: $92,000 Direct Cost Subtotal: ~$1,972,000 General Conditions (8%): $157,800 Overhead & Profit (8%): $157,800 Contingency (6%): $118,300 TOTAL PROJECT COST: $2.30M – $2.55M ($192–$212/SF, typical for TX retail shell w/ site & facade) ASSUMPTIONS: Level site, no major soil remediation, standard soil bearing (2,000 psf), city utilities within 100 LF, tenant improvements NOT included, single-tenant shell, tilt-up/CMU+steel hybrid, standard TDLR/ADA compliance, no impact fee escalation beyond typical Round Rock schedule. FLAG FOR CLARIFICATION: (1) Facade material spec (stone vs. EIFS vs. metal panel) drives ±$80K swing; (2) parking count/ADA stalls not specified—assumed 48 stalls; (3) detention pond/drainage requirements unknown—could add $50–150K; (4) TI/interior buildout excluded; (5) impact/tap fees from City of Round Rock utilities not finalized.
MATERIALS (installed cost components, approx.):
- Concrete (slab 5in, footings, curbs): 850 CY @ $165/CY = $140,250
- Rebar/mesh: 40 tons @ $1,100/ton = $44,000
- Structural steel (frame/joists): 85 tons @ $2,350/ton = $199,750
- CMU block (backup wall): 10,500 SF @ $8.50/SF = $89,250
- Facade finish (stone/EIFS mix): 8,000 SF @ $18/SF = $144,000
- Storefront aluminum/glazing: 2,000 SF @ $50/SF = $100,000
- TPO roofing membrane + insulation: 12,500 SF @ $7.50/SF = $93,750
- Asphalt paving: 38,000 SF @ $4.25/SF = $161,500
- Concrete sidewalks/curbs: 6,500 SF @ $6/SF = $39,000
- Site utility pipe/materials (water/sewer/storm): lump = $95,000
- Electrical gear, conduit, fixtures, panels: lump = $105,000
- Plumbing fixtures/pipe (core restrooms): lump = $42,000
- HVAC equipment (5 RTUs, ductwork): lump = $115,000
- Fire sprinkler heads/pipe/riser: lump = $30,000
Materials Subtotal (approx.): ~$1,399,500
Note: Figures are installed-cost material components; labor shown separately below. Minor variance vs. trade totals is due to markup/waste factors and rounding.
LABOR BY TRADE (crew size / duration / cost):
- Sitework/Earthwork: 6-person crew, 3 wks, $65,000
- Concrete flatwork/foundations: 8-person crew, 4 wks, $110,000
- Structural steel erection: 6-person crew, 2 wks, $85,000
- Masonry/CMU/Facade: 10-person crew, 5 wks, $135,000
- Roofing: 5-person crew, 2 wks, $45,000
- Storefront/glazing/doors: 4-person crew, 2 wks, $50,000
- Electrical (rough-in to trim): 5-person crew, 8 wks, $120,000
- Plumbing (rough-in to trim): 4-person crew, 6 wks, $65,000
- HVAC install/startup: 4-person crew, 4 wks, $80,000
- Fire protection: 3-person crew, 2 wks, $35,000
- Paving/striping: 6-person crew, 2 wks, $55,000
- Punch list/finishes/cleanup: 6-person crew, 2 wks, $38,000
Labor Subtotal: ~$883,000 (≈45% of direct trade cost)
Schedule notes: Sitework/foundations Mar–Apr; steel/shell May; roofing/facade Jun–Jul; MEP rough-in overlaps Jun–Aug; finishes/paving Sep; punch/turnover Oct. Crews assume single-shift, 5-day workweeks; overlap scheduling needed to hold 8-month duration.
Replace unit costs and quantities with your actual subcontractor quotes and current local material pricing, and adjust the assumptions (soil conditions, utility distance, tenant improvements) to match the real site.
Human review: This is a rough planning estimate, not a bid - have your estimator or subs verify quantities, unit pricing, and assumptions before using any number in a contract or proposal.
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