What the Project Cost Estimator actually produces

COMMERCIAL OFFICE RENOVATION – AUSTIN, TX | 18,000 sq ft | 3 Floors COST SUMMARY BY TRADE: 1. DEMOLITION & SITE PREP: $54,000 - Full interior demolition, debris removal, hazmat survey (asbestos/lead assumed minimal) - 3 weeks, 6-person crew 2. STRUCTURAL/CONCRETE: $27,000 - Minor concrete patching, epoxy seal - 1 week, 2-person crew 3. MEP ROUGH-IN: $378,000 - Plumbing: $72,000 (restrooms, break areas) - HVAC: $180,000 (new ductwork, units, controls) - Electrical: $126,000 (panels, wiring, conduit) - 8 weeks, dedicated crews per trade 4. FRAMING/DRYWALL: $216,000 - Metal stud framing, drywall, tape & mud - 6 weeks, 8-person crew 5. FLOORING: $162,000 - Polished concrete (50%): $4.50/sq ft = $40,500 - LVT planks (40%): $6.50/sq ft = $46,800 - Carpet tile (10%): $5.00/sq ft = $9,000 - Underlayment, adhesive, labor - 3 weeks, 4-person crew 6. CEILING SYSTEMS: $54,000 - Suspended drop ceiling (80%), open plenum (20%) - Grid, tiles, paint - 2 weeks, 3-person crew 7. DOORS/FRAMES/HARDWARE: $81,000 - 45 interior doors @ $1,200 ea (frame, hardware, installation): $54,000 - Storefront glass/frames: $27,000 8. PAINTING: $45,000 - 18,000 sq ft @ $2.50/sq ft (walls, ceilings) - 3 weeks, 3-person crew 9. LIGHTING & ELECTRICAL FIXTURES: $108,000 - LED panels, recessed lights, fixtures, switches, outlets - 2.5 weeks, 4-person crew 10. MECHANICAL/PLUMBING FIXTURES: $72,000 - Restroom fixtures (toilets, sinks, faucets) - Kitchen fixtures, water coolers 11. FINISH CARPENTRY: $54,000 - Casework, shelving, trim, hardware - 3 weeks, 2-person crew 12. MISC (Fire suppression, signage, screens): $36,000 ————————————————— Subtotal Direct Costs: $1,287,000 GENERAL CONDITIONS (15%): $193,050 - Supervision, temporary utilities, staging, safety, permits CONTINGENCY (12%): $154,440 - Change orders, unforeseen conditions, minor scope adjustments PROFIT/OVERHEAD (8%): $102,960 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $1,737,450 REGIONAL ADJUSTMENT: Austin labor rates run 5–8% below national average; estimate reflects local Austin 2025 pricing. ESTIMATED COST RANGE: $1,650,000 – $1,825,000 (±5% variance) TIMELINE RISK: 7-month schedule is achievable with concurrent MEP/framing phasing and experienced subcontractors. Weather impact minimal (indoor work); supply chain delays on custom millwork/fixtures flagged.

MATERIAL QUANTITIES & UNIT COSTS: DEMOLITION: - Debris removal: 450 cu yd @ $60/cu yd = $27,000 - Hazmat survey & minor abatement (allowance) = $4,500 - Dumpster rental (12 weeks) = $6,000 - Labor & equipment = $16,500 MEP MATERIALS: Electrical: - 200A service panel upgrade = $8,000 - Wire/conduit (est. 8,000 LF @ $2.50/LF) = $20,000 - Breakers, boxes, devices = $18,000 - LED fixtures (400 units @ $75 avg) = $30,000 - Miscellaneous = $8,000 Subtotal MEP materials: $210,000 FLOORING: - Polished concrete (9,000 sq ft) = $40,500 - LVT planks (7,200 sq ft @ $6.50/sq ft) = $46,800 - Carpet tile (1,800 sq ft @ $5.00/sq ft + pad) = $13,500 - Adhesive, primer, sealers = $8,500 DRYWALL & FRAMING: - Metal studs (est. 6,000 LF @ $1.20/LF) = $7,200 - Drywall (850 sheets @ $15/sheet) = $12,750 - Joint compound, tape, fasteners = $6,300 - Insulation (fiberglass batts) = $4,500 CEILING: - Suspension grid (14,400 sq ft @ $2.00/sq ft) = $28,800 - Drop tiles (12,000 sq ft @ $1.50/sq ft) = $18,000 DOORS & HARDWARE: - Interior prehung doors (45 @ $600 ea) = $27,000 - Storefront glass & framing = $18,000 - Hardware sets = $9,000 PAINT: - Paint & primer (18,000 sq ft @ $0.85/sq ft material) = $15,300 MISC FIXTURES & MATERIALS: - Restroom fixtures (toilets, sinks, faucets) = $24,000 - Countertops, casework materials = $18,000 - Fire suppression (allowance) = $12,000 TOTAL MATERIALS: ~$545,000 (42% of direct costs)

LABOR SUMMARY BY TRADE: DEMOLITION: 6-person crew × 3 weeks - Cost: $54,000 (includes equipment rental) MEP (CONCURRENT): - Electrical: 3-person crew × 8 weeks @ $85/hr = $102,000 - HVAC: 4-person crew × 8 weeks @ $90/hr = $144,000 - Plumbing: 2-person crew × 7 weeks @ $80/hr = $44,800 - Inspections & testing = $8,000 - MEP Subtotal: $298,800 FRAMING: 8-person crew × 6 weeks - 8 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 6 weeks @ $55/hr = $105,600 DRYWALL (TAPE & FINISH): - 4-person crew × 5 weeks @ $65/hr = $52,000 FLOORING: 4-person crew × 3 weeks - 4 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 3 weeks @ $60/hr = $28,800 CEILING: 3-person crew × 2 weeks - 3 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 2 weeks @ $55/hr = $13,200 DOORS & HARDWARE: 2-person crew × 2.5 weeks - 2 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 2.5 weeks @ $65/hr = $13,000 PAINTING: 3-person crew × 3 weeks - 3 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 3 weeks @ $50/hr = $18,000 LIGHTING & FIXTURE INSTALLATION: 4-person crew × 2.5 weeks - 4 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 2.5 weeks @ $75/hr = $30,000 PLUMBING FIXTURES & FINISH: 2-person crew × 2 weeks - 2 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 2 weeks @ $80/hr = $12,800 FINISH CARPENTRY: 2-person crew × 3 weeks - 2 workers × 40 hrs/wk × 3 weeks @ $65/hr = $15,600 TOTAL LABOR: ~$641,800 (50% of direct costs) SUPERVISION & PM (7 months): $40,000 KEY ASSUMPTIONS: - All labor rates include base wages + burden (taxes, insurance, benefits ~30%) - Austin market rates apply; no prevailing wage required - Crews assume experienced subcontractors; union labor premium not included - Schedule assumes minimal rework; quality inspections built into phase durations - No major change orders or schedule delays factored beyond 12% contingency