A per-square-foot figure is a preliminary planning measure, not a complete construction budget. It must be paired with area definition, site costs, design, permits, financing, taxes, landscaping and contingency.
1. Quick answer 2. Project-specific decisions 3. Site-specific scope 4. Materials and installation 5. Risk and sequencing 6. Comparing quotes 7. Completion checklist 8. Next step
A per-square-foot figure is a preliminary planning measure, not a complete construction budget. It must be paired with area definition, site costs, design, permits, financing, taxes, landscaping and contingency. Document the existing condition, verify current official requirements and request a proposal that names every assumption. Ottawa new-home buyers and custom-build clients should weigh performance, maintenance, access and long-term fit—not a headline price.
This guide cannot certify a property or predict incentive eligibility, contractor performance or municipal approval. Confirm site facts and retain written approvals.
State whether the denominator is above-grade living area, gross construction area, finished basement or all enclosed area. Garages, porches and mechanical rooms do not carry the same cost as kitchens.
Mark every counted area on the plans and update it with each design revision.
above-grade finished area: measure or verify this condition on site with the topic-specific dimensions and tolerances, mark its location on the relevant drawing, and require the bidder to state the assumption used in pricing. below-grade finished area: name the proposed material, method or governing...
Excavation, rock, dewatering, demolition, well or septic work, servicing and retaining can be substantial yet absent from a house rate. Land, design, financing, permits, taxes and landscaping also need separate lines.
Request divisions for foundation, framing, envelope, mechanical, electrical, finishes and site work.
test pits and boreholes: measure or verify this condition on site with the topic-specific dimensions and tolerances, mark its location on the relevant drawing, and require the bidder to state the assumption used in pricing. rock-removal basis: name the proposed material, method or governing project ...
Cabinets, windows, cladding, insulation, air sealing, flooring, tile and fixtures determine the finish level. Match named products, quantities, installation and allowance treatment across proposals.
Price downstream framing, heating, trim and electrical effects when changing a window, appliance or layout.
window performance schedule: measure or verify this condition on site with the topic-specific dimensions and tolerances, mark its location on the relevant drawing, and require the bidder to state the assumption used in pricing. exterior cladding areas: name the proposed material, method or governing...
Use a dated budget for construction, soft costs, site work, contingency and cash flow. Verify warranty enrolment, testing, commissioning, driveway and final grading before treating a rate as a total.
Note plan revision, area basis, tax treatment and site condition beside every planning figure.
design and consultant fees: measure or verify this condition on site with the topic-specific dimensions and tolerances, mark its location on the relevant drawing, and require the bidder to state the assumption used in pricing. permit and review costs: name the proposed material, method or governing ...
Document the existing condition, define the outcome and confirm the current Ottawa approval path. Then request comparable written scopes rather than asking for an unexplained “rough price.”
No single answer applies to every property or scope. Building, zoning, right-of-way, condominium, electrical, plumbing, tree and environmental rules can differ. Confirm with the authority responsible for the work and keep the written response.
Use a separate contingency appropriate to uncertainty and project complexity; a common planning practice is 10% to 20%, but it is not a guarantee. Known exclusions should be priced separately rather than hidden in contingency.
Three detailed proposals are a practical starting point. More are useful for unusual work, but only if each bidder receives the same drawings, measurements, specifications and questions.
Use it only as a question prompt. Site access, soil, ownership, condominium rules, existing construction and finishes differ, so another property's price or method is not evidence for yours.