2026 Midwest Construction Cost Benchmarks

What will your project cost?

Tell us about your project and we will share estimated Good, Better, Best ranges for construction costs, furniture & accessories budgets, and interior design fees.

Step 01

What type of project is this?

Please select a project type.

Construction Cost Estimate

Your project cost range.

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Good

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Better

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Best

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About these numbers. Ranges reflect 2026 Midwest construction cost benchmarks for the selected project type and scope. Actual costs vary based on site conditions, existing conditions, contractor market, and project complexity. This is a planning tool — not a substitute for a contractor bid or formal proposal.

FF&E & Art + Accessories

What to budget for furnishings.

Estimated product costs for furniture, fixtures, equipment, and art & accessories — separate from construction and design fees.

These are product costs, not service fees. FF&E and art & accessories are budgeted and purchased separately from construction. Your interior designer sources these items at trade pricing on your behalf — the coordination service is covered within your design fee. Final budgets vary based on custom vs. off-the-shelf selections, quantity, and vendor availability.

Good

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Furniture & Fixtures —

Art & Accessories —

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Better

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Furniture & Fixtures —

Art & Accessories —

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Best

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Furniture & Fixtures —

Art & Accessories —

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Interior Design Fees

What to budget for design services.

Design fees are separate from construction costs and vary based on the scope of services you engage. Here’s what each service level typically covers — and what to expect for a project like yours.

A note on FF&E costs. Interior design fees cover the designer’s service — procurement, coordination, and specification. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) product costs are budgeted and billed separately at trade pricing, and are not included in the percentages below. These ranges are estimates only — Reed Walker Design Collective produces a custom proposal based on your specific project.

Service Level 1

Design Only

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Estimated Fee Range

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What’s Included

Programming & discovery — understanding your goals, vision, budget, and functional requirements
Space planning & schematic design — layout options, adjacencies, and concept development
Design development — finishes, materials, fixtures, color palettes, and lighting direction
Specifications & construction drawings — detailed drawings and finish schedules for contractor use
Design presentations — concept boards, material samples, renderings, and review meetings
Design-phase site visits — walkthroughs to confirm existing conditions and verify design intent

Service Level 2

Full Service

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Estimated Fee Range

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Everything in Design Only, Plus

FF&E procurement coordination — sourcing, specifying, and ordering furniture, fixtures & equipment on your behalf (service fee only — product costs billed separately)
Accessories & art curation — layering the space with objects, textiles, and artwork that bring the story to life
Construction administration — regular site visits during construction to verify design intent is being executed correctly
Contractor coordination — submittal and shop drawing review, RFI responses, and issue resolution throughout the build
Project closeout & punch list — final walkthrough, punch list management, and installation oversight

Complete Investment Summary

Your estimated total investment.

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Category	Good	Better	Best
Construction Costs	—	—	—
FF&E & Art + Accessories	—	—	—
Interior Design Fees	—	—	—
Estimated Grand Total	—	—	—

Not included in this estimate. Construction management, architecture, engineering, civil, MEP, structural, and other specialty trade fees are not reflected here. Requirements for these services vary by project type, scale, and municipality.

Ready to talk through your project?

Every project is different. Let’s have a discovery conversation to understand your goals and build a scope that fits.

Contact Us

Where should we send your estimate?

What will your project cost?

Your project cost range.

What to budget for furnishings.

What to budget for design services.

Your estimated total investment.

Ready to talk through your project?