HARD AND SOFT COSTS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CHECKLIST
“Soft” costs
Planning
- project conception in facility planning by staff ___________
- real estate and design consultants for facility planning ___________
- feasibility studies by consultants ___________
- staff time for project management ___________
Capital campaign expenses
- preparing, setting goals, planning and executing the campaign ___________
- consultants’ fees ___________
- staff time ___________
- foregone revenues from other fundraising and program efforts ___________
- special printing, postage, telephone, computer hardware & software ___________
- special events ___________
- donor recognition ___________
Project financing costs
- interest ___________
- appraisal ___________
- environmental audit ___________
- application fee ___________
- points ___________
- attorney’s fees ___________
- mortgage recording tax ___________
- title insurance ___________
Property acquisition and construction
- taxes ___________
- special assessments ___________
- fees and permits ___________
- legal fees ___________
- appraisal fees ___________
Design
- project manager (on staff or contracted) ___________
- architect’s and/or engineer’s fees for schematic drawings
- and construction documents ___________
- staff time for design review ___________
- permits and filing fees ___________
Construction
- Project management
- project manager (on staff or contracted) ___________
- other staff time ___________
- construction management fees (architect, engineer,
- construction manager) ___________
- permits and filing fees ___________
Other
- “swing” or interim space ___________
- moving costs ___________
- foregone revenue during “down” time ___________
- furniture, fixture and equipment costs ___________
Subtotal “Soft” Costs ===========
“Hard” Costs
Site acquisition
Purchase: site or building cost/Lease: security deposit ___________
Construction or renovation
This list is typical of the categories specified by the architect when developing the construction cost estimate. Use this list to discuss these categories of work during the design phase. Prior to design, you should simply try to get a typical square foot cost for the type of construction you will be doing and multiply by the total number of square feet of your anticipated project (see bottom of list).
- General conditions (approximately 10 to 15 percent of hard costs) ____________
- Site work: demolition, landscaping, sidewalks, etc. ____________
- Concrete ____________
- Masonry ____________
- Metals ____________
- Wood and plastics ____________
- Thermal and moisture protection ____________
- Doors and windows ____________
- Finishes ____________
- Specialties ____________
- Equipment ____________
- Furnishings ____________
- Special construction ____________
- Conveying systems ____________
- Mechanical systems/plumbing ____________
- Electrical systems ____________
- Data communications ____________
- Contractor’s overhead and profit (add 15 percent of hard costs) ____________
- Contingency (10 to 20 percent of hard costs) ____________
Cost per square foot ______ x ______ (number of gross square feet) = ___________
Subtotal “Hard” Costs ===========
TOTAL PROJECTED HARD AND SOFT COSTS ===========