At Black Rock Home Builders, we’re committed to giving our clients clear, accurate, and realistic pricing — not vague guesses that could derail your budget down the road.
While we’re always happy to provide a general per-square-foot price range to help you get a sense of ballpark costs, delivering a detailed, line-by-line estimate is a much bigger undertaking. This isn’t a quick number we can pull out of thin air. It’s a careful, time-intensive process that involves multiple professionals, trades, and suppliers to ensure the numbers you receive are dependable.
Why We Charge for Estimates
A real construction estimate is not just plugging numbers into a calculator. On average, producing a professional, comprehensive proposal takes 40 to 60 hours of work, including:
- Reviewing your plans and specifications with precision
- Performing detailed material and labor take-offs
- Reaching out to trusted vendors and subcontractors for accurate bids
- Analyzing current market conditions and lead times
- Assembling a realistic, transparent proposal you can rely on
This process forms the foundation of a successful build. It’s also a meaningful investment of our team’s professional time — and time has value.
What It Costs
We charge $1 per impacted square foot for a full estimate.
“Impacted” square footage includes all areas affected by the construction, not just the finished living space.
For example:
- 2,500 SF heated main level
- 500 SF two-car garage
- 125 SF front porch
- 250 SF screen porch
- 1,250 SF unfinished basement
= 4,625 impacted square feet
→ $4,625 estimate fee
This fee is collected upfront and reflects the time, expertise, and coordination required to deliver an estimate you can truly build from.
What You Get in Return
When you invest in a professional estimate with Black Rock Home Builders, you get more than a number. You receive:
- A detailed, itemized proposal specific to your plans
- Transparent breakdowns of where your money is going
- Insight into how design choices and finishes impact cost
- A secure, personalized online link to review your estimate anytime, anywhere
- The ability to request revisions or clarifications directly
This empowers you to make informed decisions and compare bids on an apples-to-apples basis — not based on rough ballparks or guesswork.
Respecting Your Time — and Ours
We know homeowners want clarity before committing to a builder. Our No Free Estimates policy isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about upholding professionalism and fairness in an industry where “free estimates” are often rushed, incomplete, or used more as sales hooks than real tools for planning.
We’d rather give you something accurate once, than something misleading for free.
If you’re still in the early planning stages, we’re happy to offer a general cost range based on square footage and finish levels.
But when you’re ready for real numbers based on real plans, we’ll deliver exactly that — for a clear, fair, and transparent fee.
Ready to take the next step?
Let’s build your estimate the right way — with accuracy, transparency, and professionalism.
📞 Contact Black Rock Home Builders or 📅 Schedule your consultation today.