What is the Cost per Square Foot Estimate Myth?

I get asked this question weekly, and it goes about like this: "Andy, now that you have seen our home, I have a question for you: what is this project going to cost me? I will not hold you to it, you do not even have to write it down, but just give me a verbal ballpark estimate."

Why don’t we answer this or use a square foot price? That is a simple answer, really, we do not want to give you misinformation. For instance, do you have the same taste in a project that, say, your cousin has, your parent, your sibling, your neighbors, or a total stranger has? Most likely you do not.

For Example: If we averaged out a $35,000 Master Bathroom Remodel that was 8 feet by 15 feet that’s 120 square foot, we could then say “Sure, a bathroom remodel will cost you roughly $291.67 per square foot." We would be assuming you added the exact same tile floor, tile walk-in shower, the same glass shower walls, the same $5,000 hanging cabinet with every option, heated floors, and maybe that included relocating the shower and toilet from one side of the room to the other. Were the demolition requirements even the same?

This takes us to something called a "Scope of Work" or "SOW." That is just a written agreement of the work that is going to be performed on the project. Writing a Scope of Work, developing your list of "must haves" and "wants" is an essential task to getting a good solid quote.

A good contractor will take the time to confer with you on your desired items, put together a proper estimate, get quotes from vendors and subcontractors, and write a Scope of Work. This is how they put together the cost of doing this work for you.



Analyzing and adjusting the Scope of Work is a way for you and your contractor to ultimately avoid any unforeseen issues and, hopefully, costs.