We’re Creating a Real Build Cost Database. Join 250 people and Upload Your Estimate

Share Your Estimates to Get Everyone’s Estimates. 

Submit at: [palibuilds.com/gc-submit]

 

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The Situation–

Insurance carriers are telling many Palisadians they can rebuild for around $400 per sq ft.
But real builder bids for code-compliant homes are coming in at $650–$850 per sq ft, depending on slope, access, and finish level.

That means most families are underfunded by $750,000 to $1.5 million — and can’t start building without additional claim support.

 

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Our Goal–

We’re creating a community-powered dataset to prove actual rebuild costs.
To do that, we need at least 50 submissions to publish the first report, and 250 to drive action with insurers, media, and city leaders.

 

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What We Need From You

Just 3 quick uploads — no forms, no fees:

 

1. 1. A photo or PDF of your insurance estimate (often from Xactimate)

1. 1. A photo or PDF of your contractor’s rebuild estimate

1. 1. Your property address

 

Upload here: palibuilds.com/rebuild-upload

 

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Sample Cost Comparison — 3,500 sq ft Home

Type	Cost / sq ft	Total Cost
Insurance Estimate	$400	$1,400,000
Builder Verified Range	$650 – $850	$2,275,000 – $2,975,000
Average Real-World Rebuild	$750	$2,625,000

Shortfall: $1.2 million + (before soft costs)

 

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Sample Line-Item Construction Breakdown (Sample at $750 / sf)

Category	% of Cost	Builder Estimate	Insurance Estimate
Demolition & HazMat	4%	$105,000	$56,000
Foundation & Geotech	8%	$210,000	$112,000
Framing & Structure	18%	$472,500	$252,000
Exterior Cladding & Roof	10%	$262,500	$140,000
Windows & Doors	6%	$157,500	$84,000
MEP (Elec/Plumb/HVAC)	13%	$341,250	$183,000
Interior Finishes	17%	$446,250	$239,000
Landscaping & Sitework	5%	$131,250	$70,000
Permits & Fees	3%	$78,750	$42,000
Contingency (10%)	6%	$157,500	$84,000
GC Overhead & Profit	4%	$105,000	$56,000
Total Construction	100%	$2,625,000	$1,318,000 (≈ $400 / sf)

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Sample Soft Costs (20 – 25 %)

Soft-Cost Item	% of Hard Cost	Amount (@ $2.625 M)
Architecture & Engineering	6%	$157,500
Permitting & City Fees	3%	$78,750
Temporary Housing / Storage / Site Control	6%	$157,500
Construction Loan Interest & Carry	6%	$157,500
Surveys / Inspections / Legal	4%	$105,000
Total Soft Costs (25%)	—	$656,250

Grand Total (Hard + Soft Costs): $3.28 million

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Why Participate

By submitting even one pair of estimates, you:

 

• • Strengthen the Palisades Rebuild Cost Index

• • Help neighbors recover fair payouts

• • Give builders & homeowners data leverage

• • Help media and officials see real, verified cost gaps

 

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Progress Tracker

Goal	Description	Status
50 submissions	First neighborhood-level report	In progress
250 submissions	Public “Rebuild Cost Index” release	Community goal

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For Builders

Submit one or more sample bids (3,000–4,000 sq ft homes).
Include:

 

• • Basic / Mid / High cost per sq ft

• • A short description of typical conditions (flat vs hillside, access limits)

• • Optional: logo + contact for Builder Validation Index listing

Builders contributing at least one verified bid will receive:

 

• • Newsletter write up about your company

• • Social Media “Shout Out”

•  

Submit at: [palibuilds.com/gc-submit]

 

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