Construction Cost Estimating

High School Construction Costs

The following analysis estimates the cost to build a high school for National, . Costs are derived from a building model that assumes basic components, using union labor for a 130000 square foot building.

Scope differences and market conditions can cause costs to vary significantly. To see an estimate of the costs to build a high school in a specific city or metropolitan area, go to our index of high school models by state.

NOTE: This cost estimate uses 2008 RSMeans data. A more accurate estimate using current RSMeans cost data is available on Means CostWorks - our online cost estimating tool.

High School Construction Cost Assumptions
Location: National,
Stories: 2
Story Height (L.F.): 15.00
Floor Area (S.F.): 130000
Labor Type: Union
Basement Included: No
Data Release: Year 2008

Square Foot Cost Assuming Decorative Concrete Block / R/Conc. Frame

Cost Estimate (Union Labor) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $105.38 $13,699,000
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $26.34 $3,424,750
Architectural Fees 6% $6.32 $821,940
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $138.04 $17,945,690
Cost Estimate (Open Shop) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $92.07 $11,969,500
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $23.02 $2,992,375
Architectural Fees 6% $5.52 $718,170
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $120.62 $15,680,045

Square Foot Cost Assuming Decorative Concrete Block / Steel Frame

Cost Estimate (Union Labor) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $104.07 $13,529,500
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $26.02 $3,382,375
Architectural Fees 6% $6.24 $811,770
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $136.34 $17,723,645
Cost Estimate (Open Shop) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $91.94 $11,952,000
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $22.98 $2,988,000
Architectural Fees 6% $5.52 $717,120
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $120.44 $15,657,120

Square Foot Cost Assuming Face Brick with Concrete Block Back-up / R/Conc. Frame

Cost Estimate (Union Labor) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $110.68 $14,388,000
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $27.67 $3,597,000
Architectural Fees 6% $6.64 $863,280
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $144.99 $18,848,280
Cost Estimate (Open Shop) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $96.87 $12,593,000
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $24.22 $3,148,250
Architectural Fees 6% $5.81 $755,580
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $126.9 $16,496,830

Square Foot Cost Assuming Face Brick with Concrete Block Back-up / Steel Frame

Cost Estimate (Union Labor) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $108.35 $14,085,500
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $27.09 $3,521,375
Architectural Fees 6% $6.5 $845,130
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $141.94 $18,452,005
Cost Estimate (Open Shop) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $95.69 $12,439,500
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $23.92 $3,109,875
Architectural Fees 6% $5.74 $746,370
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $125.35 $16,295,745

Square Foot Cost Assuming Limestone with Concrete Block Back-up / R/Conc. Frame

Cost Estimate (Union Labor) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $125.57 $16,324,000
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $31.39 $4,081,000
Architectural Fees 6% $7.53 $979,440
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $164.5 $21,384,440
Cost Estimate (Open Shop) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $111.93 $14,550,500
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $27.98 $3,637,625
Architectural Fees 6% $6.72 $873,030
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $146.62 $19,061,155

Square Foot Cost Assuming Limestone with Concrete Block Back-up / Steel Frame

Cost Estimate (Union Labor) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $120.49 $15,663,500
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $30.12 $3,915,875
Architectural Fees 6% $7.23 $939,810
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $157.84 $20,519,185
Cost Estimate (Open Shop) % of Total Cost Per SF Cost
Total $108.12 $14,055,000
Contractor Fees (GC,Overhead,Profit) 25% $27.03 $3,513,750
Architectural Fees 6% $6.49 $843,300
User Fees 0% $0 $0
Total Building Cost $141.63 $18,412,050

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