Sitework Budget Calculator

Sitework is the budget line that blows up construction budgets when assumptions are wrong. This calculator builds a line-item budget: demo, grading, utilities, paving, and landscape — line by line with per-SF rates and lump sums. Pair with 15-20% sitework contingency for underground unknowns.

Site SF (land area)

Demolition / SF

Grading / SF

Utilities (water, sewer, storm)

Paving & curbs / SF

Paving SF coverage

Landscape / SF

Landscape SF coverage

Total sitework budget

$659,000

Sitework / SF of site

$8.24

Demolition

$120,000

Grading

$180,000

Utilities

$180,000

Paving & curbs

$144,000

Landscape

$35,000

How the math works

Sitework covers demolition, grading, utility connections, paving, curbs, sidewalks, and landscaping. On commercial projects, sitework runs 8-15% of total hard cost. Infill sites with existing demo needs can spike to 20%. Always get sitework quoted as separate bid package before committing to site.

Sitework is notoriously hard to estimate — unknown below-grade conditions (rock, old footings, water) can blow budgets. Contingency on sitework is often 15-20% compared to 5-10% on vertical construction.

How to Use

Enter total site SF.
Enter demolition and grading per SF rates.
Enter lump-sum utility costs.
Enter paving and landscape per-SF rates and SF coverage.
Read total and per-SF sitework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Biggest sitework risk?

Underground unknowns — rock, old foundations, contaminated soil, rising water table. Environmental Phase II and geotech reports before finalizing budget. Add 15-20% contingency minimum.

Utility tap fees?

Often excluded from the GC sitework budget — owner handles municipal tap fees separately. Major water/sewer tap fees can be $20K-$100K+ per connection for commercial.

Landscape vs hardscape?

Landscape is living plants and irrigation. Hardscape is concrete, pavers, retaining walls. Budget separately — landscape is $0.50-$2/SF on softscape, hardscape is $8-$25/SF.