Building Costs Per Square Foot in Canada – Altus Group Statistics

Building Costs Per Square Foot in Canada – Altus Group Statistics

Building Costs in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg,  Toronto,  Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St Johns

This cost report looks at the square-foot rates for construction of residential, commercial, retail and industrial facilities in Canada. Altus Group is a Canadian consulting company specializing in the real estate and construction industry. They have more than 160 quantity surveyors providing project management, financial advice, cost estimating, property/estate valuation and management services for more than 50,000 clients around the world. The company has headquarters in Canada and about 2,200 employees spread over three continents in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Altus Group is a member of RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) and they collect periodic data and statistics in the Canadian real estate and construction industry. This market data keeps clients up-to-date with trends in the market and it’s useful for financial planning, cost appraisal and cost management.

Current building costs are obtained from an updated database compiled by in-house quantity surveyors at Altus Group as well as market intelligence gathered from consultations with members of the construction industry. The consulting firm has interfaced with a total of 3,930 projects in 2020, of which 1,815 are residential construction projects and 1,765 are commercial projects. The rest (350) are infrastructure projects. About 1,300 interviews and surveys were conducted with members of the construction industry in Canada to extract some valuable data and trends. In addition to the Annual Construction Costs Guide, Altus Group also provides subscribers with a Quarterly Cost Escalation Report which is crucial for projects in the post-tender administration stage.

The square-foot cost rates below are suitable for estimating purposes in the preliminary stage of a project where basic methods i.e. the superficial area method is used.  This method is used when floor plans are available, so the total gross floor area (GFA) is measured and multiplied by the rate.

Building Costs Per Square Foot in the Private Sector – Canada

Vancouver Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $220 to $330/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $230 to $340/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $240 to $365/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – $265 to $355/ft²

60+ Storeys – $285 to $360/ft²

Premium for High Quality – up to $220/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $130 to $205/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $145 to $265/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $170 to $235/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $190 to $280/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $210 to 290/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $435 to $1,100/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $215 to $320/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $245 to $370/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $295 to $395/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $240 to $305/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $240 to $285/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $270 to $340/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – $285 to $405/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $55 to $115/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $110 to $210/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $125 to $185/ft2

Supermarket – $190 to $240/ft2

Big Box Store – $180 to $240/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $270 to $365/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $190 to $245/ft2

Suite Hotel – $300 to $365/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $320 to $420/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $180/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $7 to $26/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $95 to $135/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $135 to $180/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $105 to $130/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $185/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $100 to $140/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – $100 to $145/ft2

Data Centre – Tier III – $625 to $1,025/ft2

Pharmaceutical Lab – $585 to $830/ft2

Manufacturing Facility – $315 to $415/ft2

………………………………………………

Calgary Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $180 to $255/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $215 to $265/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $225 to $265/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – $230 to $270/ft²

60+ Storeys – N/A to N/A

Premium for High Quality – up to $205/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $125 to $170/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $125 to $195/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $145 to $180/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $160 to $210/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $160 to 215/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $405 to $870/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $165 to $265/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $200 to $275/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $265 to $375/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $180 to $250/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $180 to $255/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $215 to $290/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – $235 to $335/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $50 to $85/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $80 to $160/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $185 to $240/ft2

Supermarket – $165 to $190/ft2

Big Box Store – $160 to $190/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $210 to $285/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $155 to $205/ft2

Suite Hotel – $230 to $295/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $245 to $310/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $150/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $6 to $20/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $75 to $100/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $125 to $170/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $110 to $135/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $120/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $80 to $110/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – $80 to $110/ft2

Data Centre – Tier III – $480 to $935/ft2

Pharmaceutical Lab – $405 to $630/ft2

Manufacturing Facility – $240 to $330/ft2

……………………………………………………..

Edmonton Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $180 to $255/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $215 to $265/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $225 to $265/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – $230 to $270/ft²

60+ Storeys – N/A to N/A

Premium for High Quality – up to $205/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $125 to $170/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $125 to $195/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $145 to $180/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $160 to $210/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $160 to 215/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $405 to $870/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $165 to $265/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $200 to $275/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $265 to $375/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $180 to $250/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $180 to $255/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $215 to $290/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – $235 to $335/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $50 to $85/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $80 to $160/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $185 to $240/ft2

Supermarket – $165 to $190/ft2

Big Box Store – $160 to $190/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $210 to $285/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $155 to $205/ft2

Suite Hotel – $230 to $295/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $245 to $310/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $150/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $6 to $20/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $75 to $100/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $125 to $170/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $110 to $135/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $120/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $80 to $110/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – $80 to $110/ft2

Data Centre – Tier III – $480 to $935/ft2

Pharmaceutical Lab – $405 to $630/ft2

Manufacturing Facility – $240 to $330/ft2

 

Winnipeg Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $180 to $250/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $185 to $265/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $190 to $260/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – $200 to $265/ft²

60+ Storeys – N/A to N/A

Premium for High Quality – up to $200/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $115 to $150/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $120 to $185/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $140 to $180/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $155 to $210/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $160 to 215/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $405 to $850/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $175 to $270/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $205 to $280/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $250 to $320/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $185 to $255/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $185 to $260/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $220 to $290/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – $240 to $335/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $50 to $90/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $85 to $160/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $110 to $170/ft2

Supermarket – $160 to $215/ft2

Big Box Store – $160 to $215/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $210 to $285/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $160 to $205/ft2

Suite Hotel – $235 to $295/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $250 to $300/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $150/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $5 to $20/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $80 to $105/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $110 to $150/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $100 to $125/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $120/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $80 to $115/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – $80 to $115/ft2

Data Centre – Tier III – $490 to $950/ft2

Pharmaceutical Lab – $420 to $635/ft2

Manufacturing Facility – $250 to $345/ft2

Greater Toronto Area Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $195 to $265/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $230 to $315/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $240 to $305/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – $250 to $340/ft²

60+ Storeys – $285 to $380/ft²

Premium for High Quality – up to $210/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $130 to $200/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $140 to $240/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $160 to $220/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $185 to $250/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $160 to 215/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $420 to $945/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $240 to $330/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $260 to $355/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $305 to $395/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $210 to $305/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $220 to $325/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $250 to $365/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – $305 to $440/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $80 to $110/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $120 to $230/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $125 to $215/ft2

Supermarket – $175 to $240/ft2

Big Box Store – $165 to $225/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $235 to $325/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $180 to $240/ft2

Suite Hotel – $280 to $340/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $300 to $450/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $250/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $10 to $25/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $90 to $140/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $160 to $200/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $130 to $160/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $200/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $80 to $110/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – $85 to $110/ft2

Data Centre – Tier III – $600 to $1200/ft2

Pharmaceutical Lab – $515 to $810/ft2

Manufacturing Facility – $295 to $395/ft2

Ottawa Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $180 to $255/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $190 to $265/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $200 to $280/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – $220 to $300/ft²

60+ Storeys – $240 to $330/ft²

Premium for High Quality – up to $180/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $115 to $160/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $120 to $200/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $150 to $180/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $160 to $210/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $170 to 220/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $440 to $920/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $185 to $280/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $215 to $290/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $255 to $320/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $190 to $245/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $200 to $270/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $230 to $310/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – N/A to N/A

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $60 to $95/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $90 to $155/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $125 to $195/ft2

Supermarket – $160 to $220/ft2

Big Box Store – $155 to $200/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $210 to $270/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $160 to $220/ft2

Suite Hotel – $230 to $315/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $255 to $365/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $155/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $6 to $19/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $75 to $155/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $120 to $190/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $100 to $145/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $180/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $85 to $110/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – $90 to $115/ft2

Data Centre – Tier III – $550 to $1010/ft2

Pharmaceutical Lab – $450 to $675/ft2

Manufacturing Facility – $275 to $355/ft2

Montreal Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $165 to $240/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $170 to $250/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $180 to $255/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – $190 to $270/ft²

60+ Storeys – N/A to N/A

Premium for High Quality – up to $180/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $110 to $155/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $105 to $175/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $125 to $175/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $125 to $185/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $145 to 200/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $385 to $770/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $165 to $255/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $200 to $270/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $245 to $295/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $170 to $235/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $175 to $245/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $190 to $270/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – $240 to $355/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $50 to $100/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $90 to $160/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $105 to $175/ft2

Supermarket – $140 to $200/ft2

Big Box Store – $140 to $190/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $205 to $280/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $155 to $215/ft2

Suite Hotel – $215 to $280/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $230 to $300/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $155/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $6 to $17/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $75 to $105/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $100 to $145/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $90 to $125/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $155/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $70 to $105/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – N/A to N/A

Data Centre – Tier III – $545 to $950/ft2

Pharmaceutical Lab – $450 to $690/ft2

Manufacturing Facility – $265 to $355/ft2

Halifax Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $155 to $225/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $165 to $235/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – $175 to $245/ft²

40 to 60 storeys – N/A to N/A

60+ Storeys – N/A to N/A

Premium for High Quality – up to $170/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $95 to $135/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $90 to $150/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $115 to $165/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $125 to $160/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $125 to $170/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $255 to $505/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $155 to $235/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $180 to $255/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $215 to $295/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $165 to $215/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $170 to $240/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $185 to $265/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – N/A

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $50 to $90/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $85 to $145/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $100 to $155/ft2

Supermarket – $125 to $190/ft2

Big Box Store – $140 to $185/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $185 to $265/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $175 to $220/ft2

Suite Hotel – $200 to $285/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $220 to $295/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $100/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $6 to $16/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $95 to $115/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $110 to $150/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $90 to $125/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $150/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $95 to $130/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – N/A

Data Centre – Tier III – N/A

Pharmaceutical Lab – N/A

Manufacturing Facility – $260 to $340/ft2

 

St Johns Building Costs 2021

Condos and Apartments

Up to 6 storeys (hybrid construction) – $160 to $230/ft²

Up to 12 storeys – $170 to $240/ft²

13 to 39 storeys – N/A

40 to 60 storeys – N/A

60+ Storeys – N/A

Premium for High Quality – up to $175/ft²

Wood Framed Residential Dwellings

Row Townhouse with Unfinished Basement – $110 to $155/ft²

Single Family Residential with Unfinished Basement – $115 to $150/ft²

3 storey Stacked Townhouse – $140 to $175/ft²

Up to 4 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $130 to $170/ft²

5 to 6 Storey Wood Framed Condo – $130 to $180/ft²

Custom Built Single Family Residential – $290 to $615/ft²

Seniors Housing

Independent / Supportive Living Residences – $170 to $245/ft2

Assisted Living Residences – $185 to $260/ft2

Complex Care Residences – $235 to $310/ft2

Office Buildings

Under 5 Storeys (Class B) – $170 to $220/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class B) – $175 to $250/ft2

5 – 30 Storeys (Class A) – $190 to $275/ft2

31 – 60 Storeys (Class A)                – N/A

Interior Fitout (Class B) – $50 to $90/ft2

Interior Fitout (Class A) – $85 to $150/ft2

Retail and Shops

Strip Plaza – $115 to $160/ft2

Supermarket – $140 to $185/ft2

Big Box Store – $140 to $185/ft2

Enclosed Mall – $200 to $250/ft2

Hotels

Budget – $155 to $195/ft2

Suite Hotel – $205 to $270/ft2

4 Star Full Service – $230 to $290/ft2

Premium for Luxury – up to $105/ft2

Parking

Surface Parking – $6 to $16/ft2

Freestanding Parking Garages (above grade) – $100 to $130/ft2

Underground Parking Garages – $125 to $155/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Single Level, Open Cut Excavation) – $100 to $130/ft2

Underground Parking Garages (Premium for Unusual Circumstances) – up to $150/ft2

Industrial Facilities

Warehouse – $95 to $140/ft2

Urban Storage Facility – N/A

Data Centre – Tier III – N/A

Pharmaceutical Lab – N/A

Manufacturing Facility – $260 to $335/ft2

If you are interested in housing prices per square foot in Canada, check the StatCan statistics.