Can an accurate building cost be calculated prior to the initial design?

In the early stages of a construction project, particularly before the initial design is developed, it is generally not feasible to calculate an accurate building cost. This is primarily because several critical factors that influence the final cost remain undefined at this stage.

Initial design elements, including the layout, materials, systems, and specific architectural details, are not yet established, making it difficult to derive a precise cost estimate. Cost calculations typically rely on comprehensive project specifications and design details, which are usually developed progressively as the project evolves. During the pre-design phase, estimators can only provide rough estimates based on standard costs, historical data, or analogous projects, but these figures lack the specificity required for accuracy.

Moreover, various external factors such as site conditions, local labor rates, and material availability can all impact the overall project cost, but until these elements are considered within a developed design context, a precise cost assessment is elusive. Thus, accurately predicting building costs is not possible prior to having a substantial level of detailed design and project information.