Remodeling Made Clear

Understand What Your Remodel Really Costs

Gain full transparency into remodeling budgets with our data-driven insights. From finishes to structural upgrades, we’ll help you plan with clarity and confidence.

Estimate Smarter

Sample Deal Structure for a Cost-Plus Construction Contract

Below is an example of how a cost plus deal structure works with sample assumptions:
The actual cost of construction aka sticks, bricks and labor is
$500,000

The cost to manage the project is $2,000 weekly and the project duration is six months (6 months x 4.3 weeks/month x $2,000): $51,600

McSwain Builders has agreed to a 15% GC fee (15% of total project cost): $80,805

General Liability Insurance (2% of total project cost):
$10,774

Total Contract Amount: $630,279

Project Cost Clarity

Change Orders

Very few projects are completed without at least a few changes to the original scope of work. When changes occur, the specific costs associated with the change order are estimated before the work occurs. The customer is then presented with a simple document identifying the change order and the cost(s) associated with the change. The customer is required to sign the change order and return that document to the Builder before work for the change order starts and/or before parts/materials are ordered. Builders markup change orders just like they mark up the cost of construction.

Here’s an example:

$
Change from oak hardwood flooring to
walnut hardwood flooring: $4,500
$

GC Fee (15%): $675

$

Insurance (2%): $90

Total cost of change order: $5,265

Transparent Adjustments

Additional Management Costs for Complex Changes

Additional budget for Project Management is sometimes added to the cost of a change order depending on the complexity of the change order and how subs, suppliers and overall schedule will be impacted. Assuming the change results in more time needed to complete the overall project than what was estimated on the original Project Budget, it is safe to assume that additional budget for Project Management will be added to the cost of the change order.

Cost-Plus Contracts

RFV Construction Market
Estimate Costs

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name

Our Service Area

Proudly Serving Aspen & Surroundings

At McSwain Builders, we proudly serve Colorado’s mountain communities from Aspen and Snowmass to Basalt, Carbondale, and beyond. Every project is built on craftsmanship, transparency, and trust.

With over 500 completed projects, we deliver custom homes and remodels that reflect the beauty, lifestyle, and legacy of the Roaring Fork Valley.


Our Service Areas Include:

Aspen
Basalt
Snowmass Village
Missouri Heights
Woody Creek
Carbondale
Old Snowmass