How commercial general contractors price work in the Denver metro — fees, hourly vs percentage, per-square-foot ranges, demolition costs, draw schedules, and how to reduce project cost.
Reduce costs through value engineering — choosing efficient assemblies and finishes, reusing existing structure and MEP, simplifying the floor plan, and planning early to avoid change orders. Competitive subcontractor bidding and phasing nonessential work for later also help. Cutting necessary structural or code items, though, costs more long-term.
Rize Construction: Value engineering is core to how Rize works: we cut what isn't necessary, keep what is, and can get you open first, then phase in the rest. Start with a free budget.
Commercial contractors use three main structures: fixed-price (lump sum, best for well-defined scope), cost-plus (actual costs plus a set fee, flexible for evolving scope), and Guaranteed Maximum Price (cost-plus with a cap, balancing transparency and budget protection). The right choice depends on scope clarity and how much risk you want to control.
Rize Construction: Rize will recommend the structure that best protects your budget for your specific project — explained in your free estimate.
A commercial build-out in the Denver metro typically runs $40–$250+ per square foot in 2026, depending on shell condition and finish level. Basic, low-finish cosmetic build-outs start near $40–$90+; mid-tier office around $80–$150+; and high-finish medical, restaurant, or lab build-outs $200–$300+ due to specialized plumbing, HVAC, and code requirements.
Rize Construction: These are rough planning ranges only — finishes, materials, and assemblies move the number dramatically, and there are countless ways to build out a space. Let Rize go to work for you with an exact, itemized build-out estimate — free, with no obligation.
A commercial general contractor typically charges 5–20%+ of total project cost as their fee. The exact percentage depends on the project and its size — larger projects generally fall toward the lower end, while smaller or more complex ones run higher. The fee covers project management, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and accountability for delivering on time, on budget, and to code.
Rize Construction: Every project is different — let Rize go to work for you and provide your exact fee and total cost in a free, no-obligation estimate.
Most commercial general contractors don't price purely by the hour — what you pay depends on the project and its size. Larger commercial projects are typically priced as a percentage of total project cost, or as a fixed or guaranteed-maximum-price contract, rather than hourly, which gives you more cost certainty.
Rize Construction: Let Rize go to work for you and show you the most cost-effective pricing for your project — free, with no obligation.
Tenant improvements in Colorado typically range from about $40 to $250+ per square foot in 2026. Basic, low-finish office or retail TIs run $40–$90+; mid-tier office around $80–$150+; and high-finish medical, restaurant, or lab spaces $200–$300+ because of specialized MEP, code, and finish requirements. Shell condition heavily affects the total.
Rize Construction: These are rough planning ranges only — finishes, materials, assemblies, and shell condition all change the number. Let Rize go to work for you with an exact TI estimate for your space — free, with no obligation.
In the Denver metro in 2026, commercial construction averages roughly $250–$550+ per square foot. Low-finish, simple assemblies (basic shells, warehouses) run lower; mid-tier office and retail land mid-range; and high-finish medical, restaurant, or lab spaces with specialized MEP run highest. Colorado costs run roughly 8–12%+ above the national average.
Rize Construction: These are rough planning ranges only — your real cost depends on your plans, specs, finishes, materials, and assemblies. Let Rize go to work for you and give you an exact number for your project — free, with no obligation.
Selective interior commercial demolition typically runs about $5–$20+ per square foot in 2026, while full structural teardowns and sites with hazardous materials cost significantly more. Pricing depends on what's being removed, hazardous-material abatement, debris disposal, and how much existing structure or MEP must be protected and reused.
Rize Construction: These are rough planning ranges only — scope and site conditions drive the real number. Let Rize go to work for you and give you an exact demolition estimate — free, with no obligation.
In Colorado, ground-up commercial construction generally runs about $250–$550+ per square foot in 2026. Simple shells like warehouses can land near $150–$250+, mid-range office and retail around $250–$400+, and complex medical, lab, or restaurant builds $400–$750+. Site work, finishes, and MEP systems drive the spread.
Rize Construction: These are rough planning ranges only — your real cost depends on your plans, specs, finishes, materials, and assemblies, and there are more than a million ways to build any space. Let Rize go to work for you: we'll review your specific project and deliver an exact, itemized number — free, with no obligation.
The biggest cost drivers are building type, square footage, finish level (low vs. high-end), MEP complexity, structural system and assembly, site and soil conditions, location, permit and impact fees, and current material and labor prices. Existing-building condition and code-compliance upgrades add the most unpredictable variance.
Rize Construction: Rize models these factors up front in a free budget and shows you where value engineering can save the most.
Commercial renovations in the Denver metro generally run $40–$200+ per square foot in 2026. Light, low-finish refreshes (paint, flooring, lighting) sit at the low end; mid-range reconfigurations with new walls and MEP run higher; and high-finish or structural renovations with upgraded systems reach the top. Existing-building conditions create the widest variance.
Rize Construction: These are rough planning ranges only — your real cost depends on existing conditions, plans, specs, finishes, and assemblies. Let Rize go to work for you and pin down your exact renovation cost — free, with no obligation.
A typical commercial draw schedule ties payments to completed milestones: roughly a 10%+ mobilization deposit, progress payments at framing, MEP rough-in, drywall, and finishes, with about 5% retainage held until final inspection and the Certificate of Occupancy. Exact percentages vary by project size and lender requirements.
Rize Construction: Want a clear draw schedule for your project? Let Rize go to work for you with a free, no-obligation estimate.
Commercial general contractors usually charge 5–20%+ of total project cost, depending on the project and its size. Smaller or more complex projects trend toward the higher end; larger, simpler projects toward the lower end. The percentage covers overhead, project management, and profit. On cost-plus contracts it's stated openly; on fixed-price contracts it's built into the lump sum.
Rize Construction: Want to know your real number? Let Rize go to work for you with a free, no-obligation estimate built around your project.
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