Skip to main content
Calcimator

Architectural Precast Cost Calculator

Estimate per-SF and total cost for architectural precast based on finish, reveals, color, panel size, and project scope.

Inputs

sq ft
sq ft
in
miles

Results

Total installed $/SF

$47.43

≈ 9 cups of coffee

Material $/SF$33.18
Delivery $/SF$1.75
Erection $/SF$10.00
Engineering $/SF$2.50
Total installed cost$237,138.00
Total material cost$165,888.00
Panel count42
Avg cost per panel$5,646.00
Total Delivery Cost$8,750.00
Total Erection Cost$50,000.00
Total Engineering Cost$12,500.00
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the total precast area in sq ft and the average panel face area — smaller panels increase panel count and unit costs.
  2. Select the finish type (0=smooth gray through 4=polished) — more elaborate finishes add to material cost per SF.
  3. Choose reveal complexity (0=none to 3=complex custom) and color type (0=natural gray, 1=integral, 2=multi-color).
  4. Enter panel thickness in inches and the haul distance in miles from the precast plant to the job site.
  5. Review Total Installed $/SF broken into Material, Delivery, Erection, and Engineering components.
  6. Use Panel Count and Avg Cost per Panel for crane and erection planning.

What each input means

Total precast area
Total square footage of architectural precast on the project.
Average panel area
Average face area per panel.
Finish type (0-4)
0=Smooth gray, 1=Acid etch, 2=Sandblast, 3=Form liner, 4=Polished.
Reveal complexity (0-3)
0=None, 1=Simple, 2=Grid pattern, 3=Complex custom.
Color type (0-2)
0=Natural gray, 1=Integral color, 2=Multi-color/stain.
Panel thickness
Overall panel thickness.
Haul distance
Distance from precast plant to jobsite.

What each result means

Total installed $/SF
All-in installed cost per square foot.
Material $/SF
Precast material and fabrication cost per SF.
Delivery $/SF
Transportation cost per SF.
Erection $/SF
Field erection cost per SF.
Engineering $/SF
Engineering and shop drawing cost per SF.
Total installed cost
Total project cost for all precast.
Total material cost
Material cost only.
Panel count
Estimated number of panels.
Avg cost per panel
Average installed cost per panel.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Total precast area = 5000, Average panel area = 120, Finish type (0-4) = 1, Reveal complexity (0-3) = 1 = 7 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Total installed $/SF
    Total installed $/SF = materialCostPerSf + deliveryCostPerSf + erectionCostPerSf + engineeringCostPerSf
    47.43 = $47.43
  3. Calculate Material $/SF
    33.18 = $33.18
  4. Calculate Delivery $/SF
    Delivery $/SF = 1.0 + (haulDistance / 100) * 1.5
    1.75 = $1.75

Engine last updated .

Related Calculators

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Precast Concrete

Precast Wall Panel Weight Calculator

Calculate wall panel weight from dimensions, concrete density, reveals, insulation, and openings.

Precast Concrete

Connection Hardware Calculator

Design precast-to-structure connections — determine count, capacity, and spacing from panel weight and lateral loads.

Precast Concrete

Precast Transportation Calculator

Calculate truck loads, trips, delivery schedule, and cost to haul precast elements from plant to jobsite.

Facade

Exterior Cladding Calculator

Panel count and material from building envelope area.

Specialized Photography

Architectural Photography Calculator

Tilt-shift settings from building height and camera position.

More in Construction & Building Trades.