Commercial Construction Cost Per Square Foot in 2026
Owners always ask for a cost per square foot before they have drawings. Here's what current commercial construction is actually running by building type — with the caveats every estimator should attach to a SF number.
Office and tenant improvement
Class A office TI runs $80–$200/SF depending on finishes and MEP scope. Ground-up suburban office: $250–$400/SF. Urban core office: $400–$700/SF.
Retail and restaurant
Shell-only retail: $150–$250/SF. Full restaurant buildout: $300–$600/SF (kitchen equipment drives the spread).
Industrial and warehouse
Tilt-up warehouse: $80–$160/SF. Light industrial with office mezzanine: $150–$280/SF.
Healthcare and life sciences
Medical office: $300–$500/SF. Ambulatory surgery: $600–$900/SF. Hospital/inpatient: $700–$1,400/SF. Lab buildout: $500–$1,200/SF.
Why SF numbers lie
Cost per SF varies wildly with site conditions, schedule, MEP load, finishes, and local labor markets. Use SF benchmarks for early planning only — never bid a job on a SF basis.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do SF numbers vary so much?
Site conditions, schedule, MEP load, finishes, and local labor markets all swing the number. SF benchmarks are useful for early planning only.
What's office TI running today?
Class A office TI: $80–$200/SF depending on finishes and MEP scope. Higher in coastal urban markets.
What does a restaurant buildout cost?
$300–$600/SF — kitchen equipment drives most of the spread.
Can I bid a job from SF cost?
No. Real numbers come from real drawings and real sub quotes. SF cost is a planning sanity check, not a bid basis.
Bottom line
Cost per square foot is a conversation starter, not a price. Real numbers come from real drawings and real subs.
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