Frye Construction & Development LLC (304) 440-1040
WV and OH / Appalachian Budget Estimator

Rebuilt so each phase pulls from its own quantity source instead of stepping on its own boots.

This version separates footprint, living area, wall area, roof area, finish surface area, lineal footage, counts, and optional add-ons. It also calculates footing concrete from lineal footage using a standard 15" × 16" footing basis, and includes editable soft-cost allowances for a ballpark starting budget.

Separate quantity basesFootprint, walls, roof, finish surfaces, counts
Footings in CYDerived from LF using a 15" × 16" footing
Soft costs includedEditable planning allowances for early budgeting

Phase selection

Select the work you want priced first, then enter only the measurements that apply to those scopes.
Each toggle only uses the matching quantity source shown in the rate table below.

Project quantities

Enter each quantity once in the proper category. The calculator uses those values only for the matching scopes.

Input guide: SF = flat measured surface area, LF = lineal run length, CY = cubic yards of material removed or placed, Each = count of items, and Lump Sum = one fixed allowance. Footing concrete is auto-derived from LF based on a 15" × 16" footing size.

Core building sizes

These are the big parent measurements. They should not all be identical unless the project really is that conveniently rectangular.

Enter the finished conditioned floor area only. Do not include porches, open decks, or roof-only overhangs unless you deliberately price them with the same system rates.
Enter the building footprint area resting on the foundation. For multi-story homes, this is usually smaller than total living area.
Enter wall surface area: wall height × wall length for each exterior wall, minus major openings if you want tighter estimating.
Total roof surface or sheathing area.

Foundation and shell quantities

These are the shell-specific numbers that keep the lower structure from being charged like interior finish work.

Only used for excavation.
Used to calculate footing concrete quantity in CY based on a 15" × 16" footing.
Measured face area of stem walls priced here as 12" CMU.
Only enter if a leveling pony wall is needed.
Applies only to roof framing and roofing phases.

Interior finish quantities

Drywall and paint should use finish surfaces, not just floor area pretending to be walls.

Total gypsum board finish surface area for hang, tape, and texture.
Wall and ceiling paint area. Keep this separate if needed.
Base, casing, general trim footage.
Separate so it does not get hidden inside general trim.

Systems, demo, and counts

Mechanicals and cabinet/appliance items should use lineal footage and counts, not fuzzy square-foot voodoo unless you choose to.

Usually living area, but adjustable if you price garages/basements differently.
Usually living area for planning-level rough-in.
Total duct lineal footage.
Wall/ceiling insulation area to avoid overlap with drywall area.
Only used if demo is selected.
Mixed debris loads.
Total install count.
Appliances to set and connect.

Average soft-cost allowances

These are editable ballpark starting figures for early planning. They are not hard bids and they absolutely will drift once counties, utilities, engineers, and real-world chaos enter the chat.

Starter allowance for design/engineering support.
Ballpark permit and inspection allowance.
Electric, water, sewer, or similar connection allowance.
Survey, layout, soils, or related site verification allowance.
Project support costs that sneak in wearing fake mustaches.

Rate structure

The table below shows the exact quantity basis used for each phase, so you can see where every number comes from and avoid overlap.

Phase Unit Quantity basis Default rate Notes