Development Costs/mq

Hi,

I wanted to calculate the costs/mq of a development. The question I have is what area I should use for the calculation?

The area is broken down into: 6,000 mq of residential area 100 mq of terraces 100 mq of garden =6,200 mq GROSS

While net commercial area (counting garden at 5% and terraces at 30%, for example) would 6000+5+30=6035

so the question is, to find hard costs/mq, soft costs/mq and overall development costs/mq do I need to use gross area (6200) or the net commercial area (6035)?

Thanks

4 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, when calculating development costs per square meter, it's crucial to determine the appropriate area to use for a more accurate financial analysis. In your case, you're considering whether to use the gross area (6,200 sqm) or the net commercial area (6,035 sqm) for calculating hard costs, soft costs, and overall development costs per square meter.

Typically, the choice between gross and net commercial area depends on the specific financial modeling practices and the purpose of the analysis. Here are some considerations:

  1. Gross Area (6,200 sqm): Using the gross area is more inclusive, as it considers all the space within the development, including residential areas, terraces, and gardens. This method provides a more conservative estimate of costs per square meter because it spreads the costs over a larger area, potentially resulting in a lower cost per square meter. This is often used in initial budget estimations or when conservative figures are needed for financial safeguards.

  2. Net Commercial Area (6,035 sqm): This area is adjusted by the commercial value of non-residential components like terraces and gardens. Using the net commercial area can be more reflective of the economically valuable space, especially if these areas contribute differently to the revenue potential of the property. Calculating costs per square meter using the net commercial area might provide a more accurate reflection of the economic efficiency of the space used.

For a detailed and financially sound analysis, you might consider using the net commercial area (6,035 sqm) for calculating hard costs, soft costs, and overall development costs per square meter. This approach aligns costs more closely with the areas that directly contribute to the property's value and potential income, providing a more precise measure of cost efficiency.

However, it's also essential to align your calculation method with the standards and expectations of your stakeholders or financial partners. If there's a standard practice in your region or industry, it's advisable to conform to that to ensure consistency and comparability with other projects.

Sources: What to look for in a Development Budget?, Developers - How do you calculate how much to pay for land to develop a rental property?, From Real Estate Finance to Founder of Development Company - Q&A, Building Personal Real Estate Portfolio, Calculating First Year Property Taxes on New Apartment Construction

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I tend to use Net Leasing Area to calculate the development cost per sqm.

The reason as to why I use NLA rather than GLA is due to the efficiency ratio needed to be considered when comparing other developments and understand whether the building in question is efficient with space or not.

In the end, if a comparable development has a lower cost per sqm NLA and drives the same rental value, then it would be a no-brainer to ask for a reduced land price or tell them to f off.

 
Most Helpful

Enim ad iste ut eum. Similique aut qui et sed facere. Possimus fugit dolorum veritatis assumenda tenetur. Aliquam aut commodi vel doloribus eos.

Tempora est voluptas nulla quasi. Ducimus nihil esse ea aut. Itaque vel distinctio eum accusamus. Magni assumenda a inventore voluptates eos qui. Dolore voluptatem hic ut occaecati iusto nobis dolores. Sint quia sed minus. Id nemo sint dolore quo qui quia.

Omnis eius ut sunt aut. Nostrum qui qui modi quasi voluptatem molestias aperiam. Quam doloremque nulla placeat exercitationem qui. Facilis incidunt dolor explicabo est est. Quo deleniti rem repellat at.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”