A technique used to estimate the total cost of construction in which the total number of square feet to be constructed is multiplied by a cost per square foot figure to derive total cost. Builders and architects have some idea as to what a particular type of construction will cost on a square-foot basis, given the quality of construction desired, the amount of materials to be used, and the manner in which construction will take place. By having a cost per square foot available to them, the estimate of total construction cost is obtainable.