Budget and timeline
Explore a sample construction budget and schedule.
Compare illustrative construction scenarios by project type, size, finish level, and additional work. Review the budget assumptions and planning stages before discussing a project-specific proposal.
What are you building
pick the closest
Square footage of the work
outside dimensions
Finish tier
most of the spread in the number lives here
What else is in the job
tap to add or remove
Cost band, planning estimate
$118,500to$241,000
$296 to $603 per sq ft all in, for 400 sq ft at mid finish.
Months on site
3to5.5
Permit review first
4to8weeks
- 01Addition, 400 sq ft at mid finish$100,000 to $180,000
- 02Roof tie-in: open the existing roof, valleys, flashing, reframe the meeting line$12,000 to $35,000
- 03Plans, engineering, permit fees$6,720 to $25,800
- 04Cost band$118,500 to $241,000
- 05Reserve you hold for surprises, 10%$12,000 to $24,000
- 06Plan for$130,500 to $265,000
Planning ranges for US residential work, 2026. Your house, your soil, your roof, and your selections move the number. The written estimate after the site walk is what counts.
Phase timeline
28 weeks from signing to the closed list.
Solid is the planned length of each phase. The lighter tail is how far it can run. The ticks are decisions due in that phase, listed below with their week.
- planned
- can run to
- decision due
Decisions due
12 decisions, each with a week.
Counted from week 0, the day the contract is signed and the permit set starts. When one is late, the schedule moves by that much, and we say so the day it happens.
Permit set and reviewstarts week 0
- Scope, allowance schedule, and contract signednothing gets drawn or ordered before thisbefore week 1
- Structural decisions locked: footprint, roof, where it ties inthe permit set is drawn around themby week 1
Site protection and demostarts week 6
- Salvage list: what stays, what goes in the dumpsterdemo does not stop to askby week 5
Foundation and framingstarts week 8
- Windows and exterior doors orderedthe house sits open past framingby week 2
- Roofing matched to the existing roof and orderedthe tie-in stays under a tarpby week 6
Mechanical rough-insstarts week 14
- Built-ins and closets laid outblocking and boxes go where the plan saysby week 13
- Fixture, switch, and outlet locations walked on sitethe rough goes where the plan saysby week 14
Insulation and drywallstarts week 17
- Tile and flooring chosen and orderedthe floor crew reschedulesby week 16
Finishesstarts week 20
- Paint colorsthe walls stay primed for the walkby week 19
- Plumbing trim, light fixtures, and hardware on sitethe trades come back a second timeby week 21
Punch and closeoutstarts week 26
- Punch walk with the list in handthe list closes in one walk when it starts at framingby week 26
- Warranty walk on the calendareleven months out, before the year is upby week 28
Share your project priorities through the demonstration inquiry form. No contractor appointment is booked.
How the math works
Understand the planning assumptions
These figures demonstrate the planning tool. They are not verified local market rates, a contractor quote, or a promised schedule. Actual costs require a defined scope and site assessment.
- Base cost per square footAn addition at mid tier plans at $250 to $450 per sq ft, all in for the new space. Whole-home renovation, garage conversion, and a custom build each have their own range. Builder grade sits below, custom above.by type and tier
- Lump sums for the things that move the numberA roof tie-in, foundation work past a standard footing, a kitchen, and moving plumbing are priced as their own lines because the square footage does not predict them.four toggles
- Plans, engineering, and permit feesA percentage of the hard cost, higher on work that needs a full permit set and an engineer.4% to 14%
- Project contingencyHeld by you, outside the band. Fifteen percent on renovation because the surprises live in existing walls; less on new work.8% to 15%
- Seven phases with a low and a highPermits, demo, foundation and framing, rough-ins, insulation and drywall, finishes, punch. Site phases scale with the square footage; finishes stretch with the tier; the toggles stretch the phase they touch.weeks
- Decisions due by weekWindows six weeks before framing, cabinets eight weeks before finishes, tile four. The strip counts back from the phase that needs them.lead times
Discuss your residential construction project
Share the scope, your priorities, and the timing you have in mind. This inquiry form is part of the 3Fold Labs website demonstration.