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When planning a new project, understanding commercial construction cost is crucial to establishing an accurate budget. As you begin this process, it’s important to consider the specific type of building your business requires and the features it must include. For instance, the cost of constructing a warehouse is typically lower than that of a medical facility, due to the differing requirements and complexities involved. By factoring in these variables, you can create a budget that aligns with your business needs while avoiding unexpected expenses.
Inside the Blog:
Here at APX Construction Group, we do our best to provide you with the best possible value combining quality and affordability. Today we’ll cover the average commercial construction cost per square foot for commercial construction projects. However, these prices can change and fluctuate with the cost of materials.
Commercial Construction Cost: Per Square Foot Based on Building Type:
- Single story office $250-$437
- Mid-Rise Office $330-$870
- High-rise Office $430-$1001
- Government administrative buildings $426-$844
- Museum/ Performing arts $650-$1272
- Medical Office Buildings $451-$1018
- Recreation/ Gymnasiums $347-$683
Types of Commercial Construction
Different types of commercial construction projects can significantly impact the overall cost of your building. Here are some of the various types of commercial building projects to consider:
- Restaurants
- Retail, Grocery Stores, Shopping Malls
- Medical Facilities
- Office Buildings
- Hotels and Lodging Facilities
- Institutional Buildings
- Industrial Structures
- Sports Facilities
Within each of these individual project types, specific factors can raise and lower the prices. Below we’ll cover a few of those factors and why you should be on the lookout for ways to save money the next time you undergo a commercial construction project.
It’s important that no matter who you’re working with, you’re treated with respect and given the best possible service.
What Determines Commercial Construction Cost
Beyond the type of building that you choose for your business, several factors play a part and have a role in how much that building will cost. Here are some of those factors:
- Amount of land purchased
- Location of building
- Permits and legal work needed
- Time of year the project is completed
Project Breakdown for Commercial Construction Cost
The individual items that make up the cost of a commercial building are all very similar to what you would expect for residential construction or home. Here’s how you can expect your commercial building cost to break down.
- Foundation and foundation materials
- Labor
- Materials
- Location (Region)
- Finishing and fixtures
- Design
- Major systems and utilities
- Permits/Legal
- Land
Each of these items will break up the cost and impact what you’ll end up paying for your commercial building. There are, of course, always ways that you can save some money throughout these different parts of the construction process. Be sure to talk with your builder to get the best bang for your buck.
Foundation and Materials
When it comes to commercial construction, one of the most expensive items will be your foundation. Because commercial buildings can be very large, the amount of concrete, rebar, and other structural materials needed is large. Additionally, the ground will need to be prepared and excavated before the foundation can be poured.
Labor
Labor for commercial construction projects can be one of the most expensive parts. The labor will almost always make up 50% or more of the cost of a commercial building. You can save money on labor by working with a completely in-house team like APX Construction.
Location or Region of the Building
The location of commercial buildings can have a major impact on the cost. In general, commercial building costs will be higher in urban areas because you’ll be paying for the cost of commercial real estate. However, there are ways that you can offset this by working with a commercial builder who has experience in commercial construction in your region. Rural regions are always a bit cheaper with fewer regulations to adhere to.
Finishings and Fixtures
The commercial construction cost will include finishes and fixtures. These items can impact your commercial building costs significantly. Higher-end finishing and fixtures will cost more than some of the more affordable options. Low-end finishes are much more affordable, but you might be sacrificing longevity and quality. We recommend finding a good in-between and talking with your builder to ensure you get the best quality.
Design Phase and Engineering
The commercial building process will require an architect and/or engineer to work with the builder on designing your commercial project. This can take some time and money to get right. One way to save money during this process is to partner with a builder who has both a designer and engineer on staff. Again, this will save you time and money during the process.
Major Systems and Utility
Major systems include plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. All of these systems will be more expensive when a commercial grade is required. Larger HVAC units along with plumbing and electrical systems will drive the commercial building cost up.
Permits for the Project
Permits and legal work are both required for commercial building projects. You can expect to pay a fee for obtaining these permits and working the legal side of getting your commercial building permit.
Land
The land for the project is another large expense to keep in mind. The commercial building cost will include the land for your commercial building. There are methods to save money here as well. One way is purchasing a commercial property that’s already had a commercial building on it, or that’s been previously zoned for a commercial property.
Calculating the Cost of Your Commercial Building
To get a good idea of how much your commercial building will cost, you’ll have to add up some of the different elements we’ve talked about above. Here are some of the average costs per square foot for different building types. Keep in mind these are just averages, and there are a lot of variables that can impact the price.
Cost per square foot based on building type:
- Single story office $250-$437
- Mid-Rise Office $330-$870
- High-rise Office $430-$1001
- Government administrative buildings $426-$844
- Museum/ Performing arts $650-$1272
- Medical Office Buildings $451-$1018
- Recreation/ Gymnasiums $347-$683
Reach out to APX Construction Group today to get started on an estimate for your building project. Estimates can take time on these complex projects, so be sure to reach out ASAP, and we can get to work on your project.
FAQ
How do you estimate commercial construction?
You can estimate the cost of commercial construction by collecting data on the project, such as size, location, materials, complexity, and labor costs. This data is used to generate a budget that includes labor, materials, services, and other related costs.
How do you calculate construction value?
Estimating the value of a construction project involves looking at how much it will cost to build. This includes the cost of materials, labor, services, and other related costs. The value of the project can also be estimated based on the potential return on investment, such as the estimated rental or sale price of the completed project.
What is the square foot method of estimating?
The square foot method of estimating is a technique used to estimate the cost of a construction project based on the square footage of the project. This method takes into account the cost of materials, labor, services, and other related costs for a particular project and uses the total square footage as a basis for estimating the cost of the project.
