Free budget Template

Construction Budget Template

Construction project budget template with line items for labor, materials, subcontractors, and contingency.

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# Construction Project Budget

**Project Name:** _______________________________________
**Project Address:** _______________________________________
**Owner:** _______________________________________
**General Contractor:** _______________________________________
**Project #:** _______________
**Budget Version:** ☐ Preliminary  ☐ Schematic  ☐ Design Development  ☐ Construction
**Date Prepared:** _____________ **Prepared by:** _____________

---

## Project Summary

**Project type:** ☐ New construction  ☐ Addition  ☐ Remodel  ☐ Tenant improvement
**Square footage:** _________ SF (heated/conditioned), _________ SF (total under roof)
**Number of stories:** _______
**Foundation type:** ☐ Slab  ☐ Crawlspace  ☐ Basement
**Construction type:** ☐ Wood frame  ☐ Steel frame  ☐ Concrete/masonry  ☐ Hybrid

**Target start date:** _____________
**Target completion:** _____________
**Project duration:** _____ months

---

## Cost Summary by Division (CSI MasterFormat)

| Div | Description | Budget | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | General Requirements | $ | % |
| 02 | Existing Conditions / Demo | $ | % |
| 03 | Concrete | $ | % |
| 04 | Masonry | $ | % |
| 05 | Metals | $ | % |
| 06 | Wood, Plastics, Composites | $ | % |
| 07 | Thermal & Moisture Protection | $ | % |
| 08 | Openings (doors, windows) | $ | % |
| 09 | Finishes | $ | % |
| 10 | Specialties | $ | % |
| 11 | Equipment | $ | % |
| 12 | Furnishings | $ | % |
| 21-23 | Fire/Plumbing/HVAC | $ | % |
| 26 | Electrical | $ | % |
| 27 | Communications | $ | % |
| 28 | Electronic Safety & Security | $ | % |
| 31 | Earthwork | $ | % |
| 32 | Exterior Improvements | $ | % |
| 33 | Utilities | $ | % |
| | **Hard Costs Subtotal** | **$** | **%** |
| — | Soft Costs | $ | % |
| — | Contingency | $ | % |
| — | GC Fee / Overhead | $ | % |
| | **PROJECT TOTAL** | **$** | **100%** |

---

## Detailed Cost Breakdown

### Division 01 — General Requirements

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project supervision (PM + super) | _____ months | $_____ /mo | $_____ |
| Field office trailer / setup | _____ months | $_____ /mo | $_____ |
| Temporary utilities (power, water) | _____ months | $_____ /mo | $_____ |
| Portable toilets | _____ months | $_____ /mo | $_____ |
| Dumpster service | _____ units | $_____ each | $_____ |
| Construction signage | 1 | $_____ | $_____ |
| Permits & inspections | — | At cost | $_____ |
| Project schedule software | _____ months | $_____ /mo | $_____ |
| Safety / OSHA compliance | — | — | $_____ |
| Daily cleanup | _____ months | $_____ /mo | $_____ |
| **Division 01 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 02 — Existing Conditions

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective demolition | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Asbestos abatement (if needed) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Tree removal / protection | _____ trees | $_____ each | $_____ |
| Soil testing | 1 lump sum | $_____ | $_____ |
| Survey (boundary, topo, ALTA) | 1 lump sum | $_____ | $_____ |
| **Division 02 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 03 — Concrete

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footings (form, rebar, concrete) | _____ CY | $_____ /CY | $_____ |
| Foundation walls | _____ CY | $_____ /CY | $_____ |
| Slab on grade (4" w/ rebar) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Elevated slabs | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Concrete flatwork (sidewalks, drives) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Concrete pumping | _____ days | $_____ /day | $_____ |
| **Division 03 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 06 — Wood Framing

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall framing (2×4 / 2×6) | _____ LF | $_____ /LF | $_____ |
| Floor framing (joists, sheathing) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Roof framing (trusses or stick) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Wall sheathing (OSB / plywood) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Roof sheathing | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Engineered lumber (LVL, glulam) | _____ LF | $_____ /LF | $_____ |
| Fasteners, hangers, hardware | — | — | $_____ |
| Labor (framing crew) | _____ hrs | $_____ /hr | $_____ |
| **Division 06 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 07 — Roofing & Insulation

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing material (shingles/metal/membrane) | _____ SQ | $_____ /SQ | $_____ |
| Underlayment & ice/water shield | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Wall insulation (R-21+) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Attic insulation (R-49 blown) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| House wrap / WRB | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Flashing & sealants | — | — | $_____ |
| **Division 07 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 08 — Windows & Doors

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows (vinyl/wood/fiberglass) | _____ units | $_____ each | $_____ |
| Exterior doors | _____ units | $_____ each | $_____ |
| Interior doors | _____ units | $_____ each | $_____ |
| Garage door(s) | _____ units | $_____ each | $_____ |
| Installation labor | _____ hrs | $_____ /hr | $_____ |
| **Division 08 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 09 — Interior Finishes

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drywall (hang & finish) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Interior paint (primer + 2 coats) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Flooring — hardwood | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Flooring — tile (incl. bath) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Flooring — carpet | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Trim & millwork (base, casing, crown) | _____ LF | $_____ /LF | $_____ |
| Cabinets (kitchen + baths) | _____ LF | $_____ /LF | $_____ |
| Countertops (quartz / granite / etc.) | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Backsplash | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| **Division 09 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 22-23 — Plumbing & HVAC

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing rough-in | _____ fixtures | $_____ /fixture | $_____ |
| Plumbing finish (fixtures install) | _____ fixtures | $_____ /fixture | $_____ |
| Water heater | 1 | $_____ | $_____ |
| HVAC equipment (furnace/AC) | 1 system | $_____ | $_____ |
| Ductwork | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Bathroom exhaust fans | _____ units | $_____ each | $_____ |
| **Div 22-23 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 26 — Electrical

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service panel (200A) | 1 | $_____ | $_____ |
| Rough wiring | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Devices (outlets, switches) | _____ each | $_____ each | $_____ |
| Light fixtures (allowance) | 1 LS | $_____ | $_____ |
| Smoke / CO detectors | _____ units | $_____ each | $_____ |
| EV charger (if applicable) | 1 | $_____ | $_____ |
| Low voltage / data | _____ drops | $_____ each | $_____ |
| **Division 26 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

### Division 31-33 — Site Work

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavation & grading | _____ CY | $_____ /CY | $_____ |
| Utility connections (water, sewer, gas) | LS | $_____ | $_____ |
| Septic system (if applicable) | LS | $_____ | $_____ |
| Driveway | _____ SF | $_____ /SF | $_____ |
| Landscaping (sod, plants, irrigation) | LS | $_____ | $_____ |
| **Div 31-33 Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |

---

## Soft Costs

| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Architectural design (5-10% of construction) | $_____ |
| Structural engineering | $_____ |
| Civil engineering | $_____ |
| Permit fees | $_____ |
| Plan check fees | $_____ |
| Impact fees (school, traffic, sewer) | $_____ |
| Surveying | $_____ |
| Builder's risk insurance | $_____ |
| General liability insurance | $_____ |
| Construction loan interest | $_____ |
| Legal fees | $_____ |
| Title insurance | $_____ |
| Geotechnical / soils report | $_____ |
| **Soft Costs Subtotal** | **$_____** |

---

## Contingency & Fee

**Contingency:** $_____ ( ____ % of hard costs)

Recommended contingency ranges:
- New construction: 5-10%
- Remodel of existing structure: 10-20%
- Heritage / historic: 15-25%

**GC fee / overhead:** $_____ ( ____ % of subtotal before fee)

Typical GC fee ranges:
- New build (volume builder): 8-12%
- Custom home: 15-25%
- Remodel: 15-25%
- Cost-plus arrangement: 8-15%

---

## Cash Flow Projection

| Month | % Billed | Cumulative | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 5% | $_____ | Mobilization, demo, excavation |
| Month 2 | 10% | $_____ | Foundation |
| Month 3 | 15% | $_____ | Framing |
| Month 4 | 12% | $_____ | Roofing, exterior |
| Month 5 | 15% | $_____ | MEP rough-in |
| Month 6 | 10% | $_____ | Insulation, drywall |
| Month 7 | 12% | $_____ | Interior finishes |
| Month 8 | 8% | $_____ | Cabinets, countertops |
| Month 9 | 8% | $_____ | Trim, paint, flooring |
| Month 10 | 5% | $_____ | Punch list, final |
| | **100%** | **$_____** | |

---

## Cost Per Square Foot Analysis

| Metric | Value | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Total project cost | $_____ | — |
| Cost per SF (conditioned) | $_____ | $200-$500+ residential, varies wildly by region |
| Hard cost per SF | $_____ | Typically 70-80% of total |
| Soft cost per SF | $_____ | Typically 15-20% of total |
| Land cost per SF (if applicable) | $_____ | — |

**Notes on benchmark:** Costs vary significantly by region, finish level, complexity, and timing. The numbers above are wide ranges. Compare against recent local projects with similar specs.

---

## Assumptions & Exclusions

### Assumptions
- Plans dated _____________
- Specifications version: _____________
- Material prices effective _____________
- Labor based on _____________ market wages
- Project sequence assumes no major weather delays
- All utilities available at property line

### Exclusions (NOT in this budget)
- Furniture, appliances (unless noted)
- Owner-furnished items
- Land purchase
- Financing costs beyond construction loan
- Owner's representation / professional fees beyond architect
- Moving expenses
- Connection / activation fees from utilities beyond standard
- Custom changes after construction documents finalized
- Owner-caused delays

---

## Sign-Off

**Prepared by:**
Name: _________________________ Title: _________________________
Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________

**Reviewed by Owner:**
Name: _________________________
Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________

**Reviewed by Lender (if applicable):**
Name: _________________________
Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________

---

*This budget is an estimate based on information available at the time of preparation. Actual costs may vary. Maintain budget version control and document all changes via signed change orders.*

*For complex projects, engage a professional construction estimator or quantity surveyor for independent verification.*

What's Included

This construction budget template includes 8 pre-built sections:

1. Project info
2. Site preparation costs
3. Foundation & structural
4. Mechanical/electrical/plumbing
5. Finishes
6. Labor breakdown
7. Permits & inspections
8. Contingency

How to Use This Template

1
Download the format you prefer.
Word (.docx) for desktop editing, PDF for printing, Google Docs for cloud collaboration.
2
Customize with your business info.
Add your logo, business address, license number, and insurance information.
3
Fill in project-specific details.
Each section has placeholders showing what to include. Replace with your actual project info.
4
Get signatures and store.
Always get both parties to sign and date. Keep digital and printed copies.

💡 Pro Tip: Graduate to Software

Templates work great for low-volume contractors. Once you're handling 10+ jobs/month, software like BuilderTrend or Procore will save you 5-10 hours per week by auto-generating proposals from your project data.

See best Construction software →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Construction Budget Template really free?

Yes — completely free, no email signup or paywall. Download in Word, PDF, or Google Docs format.

Can I customize this template?

Absolutely. Open in Word or Google Docs and edit all sections to fit your specific Construction business.

Is this legally binding once signed?

When properly completed, signed, and dated by both parties, this template creates a binding agreement. For complex or high-value projects, consult an attorney.

What software should I pair with this template?

Most Construction contractors graduate from templates to software like BuilderTrend when their volume exceeds 10-20 jobs/month.