Fayetteville Policies and Procedures  705.1 

Construction-Project Cost Estimating Guideline

Below is a building new construction/renovation cost estimating guideline developed to assist grant and development authorities as well as all other University departments in the preparation of project estimates for funding applications and/or proposed construction. The procedure and line item guidelines are only approximate, and any final project budgeting would need to be developed by the Facilities Management Design and Construction Services staff.

Budget Breakdown New Renovation
Construction
labor and material (includes demolition, utility connections, landscaping, parking lots, telecom systems, fixed equipment, building costs, etc., and would go up if any contingency funds below were spent on construction or other material items. - Approx. 65% Total Project Cost)
Administration/offices $115/GSF $85/GSF
Classrooms $115/GSF $100/GSF
Wet Laboratories $180/GSF $180-$225/GSF
Contingency 
held at 10% through project design and bidding. Typically allowed to go down to no less than 5% at award of construction to cover unforeseen construction problems.
10% Construction
Fees
consultant fees on overall design, utilities, furnishings and equipment, building systems, site work, roadways and lots, any contingency expenditures, site representative, reimbursable expenses, etc. (Varies with the construction complexity and cost.)
6.75% Construction 9% Construction
Moveable Equipment and Furniture 
building non-fixed furnishings, etc. - does not include telecom support electronics, decorating, computers, etc.
5% Construction 4.5% Construction
Computers
occupant computer equip. (optional)
1% Construction 0.5% Construction
Remote Utilities
replacement costs for utility capacity utilized in the building, etc.
4% Construction 2.5% Construction
University Project Administration 
Facilities Management construction administration fees.(% of invoices of items 1, 2, 3, and 4 above)
1.25% All Invoices
Other Costs
non-energy utilities (water, sewer systems, etc.), trash, special systems (A/V, security, telephone, TV, etc.), advertising, construction surveying, testing, soil borings, custodial equipment, telecom support electronics, etc.
1% Construction .75% Construction
Moving Costs 
moving occupants or related shifting of personnel.
1% Construction 1.5% Construction
Project Escalation
3% per year from date of estimate on construction, furniture, and other costs.
3% Per Year Total Project Cost
Total Project Cost = All above costs added together.
Capital Renewal Endowment 
facility replacement funding
25% Construction
Financing Costs
(5% for 20 years)
5% Total Project Cost
Total Bond Amount All above costs (11 – 13) added together.
Annual Debt Service
(5% for 20 years)
$80,000 per Million $ Debt

Sample Project Total Budgets

Construction of a new 35,778 GSF laboratory building to be bid in 4 years
Construction (wet laboratories - $180/GSF) $6,440,040
Contingency (10% Construction) 644,004
Fees (6.75% Construction) 434,703
Moveable Equipment and Furniture (5% Construction) 322,002
Computers (1% Construction) 64,400
Remote Utilities (4% Construction) 257,602
University Project Administration (1.25% items 1, 2, 3, and 4 above) 98,009
Other Costs (1% Construction) 64,400
Moving Costs (1% Construction) 64,400
Project Escalation
[{(total items above)/(1 - .03x4 yrs)} – (total items above)]
1,144,031
Total Project Cost (All above costs added together.) $9,533,591
Capital Renewal Endowment (25% Construction) 1,610,010
Financing Costs (5% Total Projects Cost) 476,680
Total Bond Amount (items 11 thru 13 added together) $11,620,281
Annual Debt Service ($80,000 per Million $ Debt) $929,600


Renovation of 6440 GSF of classroom spaces in a building to be started in 1 year
Construction (classrooms - $100/GSF) $644,000
Contingency (10% Construction) 64,400
Fees (9% Construction) 57,960
Moveable Equipment and Furniture (4.5% Construction) 28,980
Computers (0.5% Construction) 3,220
Remote Utilities (2.5% Construction) 16,100
University Project Administration (1.25% items 1, 2, 3, and 4 above) 9,942
Other Costs (0.75% Construction) 4,830
Moving Costs (1.5% Construction) 9,660
Project Escalation
[{(total items 1 thru 9 above)/(1 - .03x1 yr)} – (total items 1 thru 9 above)]
25,951
Total Project Cost (All above costs added together.) $865,043
Capital Renewal Endowment (25% Construction) 161,000
Financing Costs (5% Total Projects Cost) 43,252
Total Bond Amount (items 11 thru 13 added together) $1,069,295
Annual Debt Service ($80,000 per Million $ Debt) $85,544

Reformatted for Web April 21, 2014
December 4, 2003