Feasibility Screening Tool
You've got a project idea.
Let's see if the budget holds up.
Plain language. No specs. No drawings. Just describe what you're thinking — and get a real number in 30 seconds.
Delivery path comparison
Traditional
Design-Bid-Build
- Designer hired first; documents completed before bidding
- Design fees paid before any bids received (8–12% of project)
- 12–18 months from design start to groundbreaking
- Changes after award handled through change orders, which can increase final cost
Recommended path
BOT / Public-Private Partnership
- You select your team based on qualifications and trust — not lowest bid. The municipality chooses who it wants to work with.
- A Guaranteed Maximum Price can be established before full construction documents are complete — cost certainty earlier, not after you've already spent on design
- Risk allocation varies by contract structure — some methods shift cost overrun risk to the developer or contractor, not the taxpayer
- Indiana/Michigan law specifically enables these approaches for municipal projects
Requires more upfront evaluation of the delivery team, not just the bid price. Your municipal attorney should advise on which path fits your procurement requirements.
Key assumptions
How This Estimate Was Built
Building cost methodology...
Board or Council Briefing
AI-drafted points tailored to your project. Review and edit before using — you know your board best.
Drafting your board or council briefing...
Estimated Project Timeline
From today through construction completion — with regional notes for your state.
Estimating project timeline...
Buyer's Advocate Guide
Questions to ask designers and contractors before committing. Red flags to watch for.
Building buyer's advocate guide...
Email yourself this report
We'll send a complete summary to your inbox — cost range, methodology, timeline, board briefing, and buyer's guide.
What to Do With This Number
A preliminary cost range is the starting point, not the finish line. Here's how to move a real project forward from here.
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Pressure-test the number internally.
Share this with your finance director or administrator before any outside conversations. Knowing your range before the first contractor call puts you in a stronger position.
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Understand your delivery options.
How you procure this project affects total cost, timeline, and how much risk your municipality carries. Review the delivery path comparison above before engaging any design or construction professionals.
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Bring it to council.
Use the briefing guide above to frame the conversation. A cost range with a confidence rating and a clear delivery path gives council what they need to authorize next steps.
This is a preliminary feasibility indicator only, not a formal cost estimate. It is intended to support early internal go/no-go decisions and should not be used for budgeting, procurement, or council appropriations without professional verification. Actual costs depend on site conditions, design requirements, local labor markets, and material prices at time of bid.