The Preconstruction Investment
Before you sign a construction contract, we build you a real budget — not a ballpark estimate. A standalone service that gives you a detailed, well-researched cost picture before you commit to anything.
The Preconstruction Investment is step two of how MCM works. Step one — the free Feasibility Review — establishes that your project is viable and gives you a realistic range. This page is about what happens next: turning that range into a real, line-by-line budget you can build on.
A Guess Is Not a Budget
Most contractors will give you a free estimate. It takes them 20 minutes and it's based on industry averages, not actual quotes from the subcontractors who will do your work.
On a custom home, the difference between a free estimate and a real budget can easily be $50,000–$150,000. That gap shows up after you've signed a contract, selected your finishes, and told your family where you're building.
The Preconstruction Investment is how we solve that problem. Before you commit to anything, we build you a real, line-by-line budget from actual subcontractor quotes — specific to your home, your site, and your selections.
Free Estimate
- Based on industry averages, not your project
- No subcontractor quotes — just experience guesses
- Doesn't account for your specific site conditions
- Surprises show up after you've signed
- Contractor has no skin in the accuracy
MCM Preconstruction Investment
- Built from actual subcontractor quotes
- Site-specific — Ryan walks your property
- Full line-by-line detail, every trade
- You know the real number before you sign
- Fee credited toward your construction contract
Five Steps to a Real Budget
From your first questionnaire to a full line-by-line budget — here's exactly what the Preconstruction Investment process looks like.
Project Questionnaire
You complete a detailed questionnaire covering your vision, must-haves, nice-to-haves, and target budget range. This gives Ryan everything he needs to prepare for your site meeting.
Site Meeting
Ryan walks your property with you in person. He assesses site conditions, utilities, setbacks, soil, drainage, and buildability — all factors that affect your real cost.
Real Budget Built
Ryan works with our subcontractors to build a full line-by-line budget for your specific home. These are actual quotes — not industry averages, not ballpark figures.
Budget Presentation
We review the budget together in detail — every line item, every trade, every allowance. You leave knowing exactly what your home will cost and why.
Fee Credited at Contract
If you sign a construction contract with MCM, the full preconstruction fee is credited toward your project. You pay nothing extra to have done this right.
Know Before You Commit
Building a custom home is one of the largest financial decisions you'll ever make. The Preconstruction Investment is designed to give you the information you need to make that decision confidently — before you're locked into a contract.
If you decide to move forward with MCM, the full preconstruction fee is credited toward your construction contract. You pay nothing extra for having done this right.
If you decide not to build — or to build later — you still walk away with one of the most detailed cost analyses available before construction begins. That's worth something regardless of what you decide.
"You should be able to see every dollar your home costs — and know exactly which one of them is mine."
What Homes Like Yours Typically Cost
These are all-in planning ranges for a single-story home with a 2-car garage, covered porch, crawlspace, and a typical lot: the house, garage, porch, site work, our 12% fee, and a 5% contingency. Land is separate. Two-story designs cost less per foot.
| Heated sq ft | Standard | Elevated | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,800 | $396K | $497K | $652K |
| 2,400 | $499K | $634K | $842K |
| 3,000 | $603K | $772K | $1.03M |
| 3,600 | $707K | $909K | $1.22M |
Midpoints from our cost estimator. Your preconstruction budget replaces these with real subcontractor quotes for your home and your lot.
The Preconstruction Investment: $1,999–$3,500
Set by the scope and complexity of your home, and confirmed at your free feasibility review before you commit to anything. If you build with MCM, the full amount is credited toward our management fee. If you don't, you keep the budget and every bid we collected.
Energy performance options are priced here too. If your home qualifies, ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS certification show up as their own line items, so you can decide with real numbers. How certification works.
Deliverables at Completion
Full Line-by-Line Budget
Every trade, every allowance, every line item — built from actual subcontractor quotes for your specific project.
Site Assessment Summary
Ryan's written notes from the site walk: utilities, setbacks, drainage, soil conditions, and any site-specific cost factors.
Selections Allowance Guide
Recommended allowance ranges for finishes, fixtures, and appliances — so you know what's included and what upgrades cost.
Project Scope Summary
A written description of exactly what is included in the budget — and what is not — so both sides understand exactly what is and is not included before construction begins.
Budget Review Meeting
A dedicated meeting with Ryan to walk through every line item, answer questions, and discuss options for adjusting scope or cost.
Construction Contract Readiness
If you choose to move forward, the preconstruction deliverables become the foundation of your construction contract — no starting over.
Ready to Know What Your Home Will Actually Cost?
Start with a conversation. Ryan will explain the Preconstruction Investment process, answer your questions, and let you know if it's the right fit for your project — no obligation.