Every construction project begins with a process that identifies the owner's needs, encompassing space requirements, location, and physical attributes. This is followed by a financial plan. In the early stages, with limited information beyond building use and required square footage, parametric cost models are valuable. They offer a reasonable cost per square foot, accounting for contractor markups and design fees. This estimate is further refined to account for design variations and anticipated cost escalation up to the construction phase.

Find the total cost of a $16,000$ SF store in a strip mall in Billings, Montana. Assume the building is constructed with split$-$face concrete block bearing walls and open web steel joists with metal deck.

Estimate the total cost to construct a burger restaurant in Tyler, Texas. The building will be $5,800$ SF with wood frame and wood siding. Include the cost of a ${10}^{\text{'}}{10}^{\text{'}}$ walk$-$in refrigerator, one range, a broiler, and a dishwasher. Put $20$ LF of stainless$-$steel counters in the dishwashing area. Note: Equipment items such as the kitchen equipment in this example are normally sold at the same price nationwide and should not be adjusted with a location factor.

An automobile repair shop will be built in Denver, Colorado. The exterior wall will be concrete block and the roof will be framed with open web steel joists. Total area will be $10,000$ SF$.$ What is the total cost of this building? What will the general contractor earn for profit?

A local supermarket chain in Phoenix Arizona, would like to develop a prototype mini$-$market with a maximum construction cost of $$750,000.$ How large a building can he build if the construction is stucco on CMU bearing walls? How large a building could he build with steel frame$/$precast concrete panels?