Estimates

Below is a helpful reference to assist customers in developing general estimates for commonly requested minor alterations and improvements. This resource provides a convenient starting point for understanding potential costs for small-scale changes.

There are multiple options for cost estimates 

1. General Costs for Minor Alterations and Improvements 
   Try our Copilot agent for your general cost estimates. View available information to get an idea of the potential cost of your minor project. 
    
2. Order of Magnitude Estimate (OME) 
   Submit a service request for an OME to receive a high-level, potential cost estimate based on limited information, broad assumptions, and experience from similar projects. OME’s help determine whether a project may be financially feasible.  
    
3. Preliminary Cost Estimate (PCE) 
   Submit a service request for a PCE to receive a detailed estimate based on a defined scope of work. PCE’s are typically used to develop a project budget to secure funding. 
    

Options available

General Costs for Minor Alterations and Improvements 

To assist units in planning for commonly requested services, we now provide a general cost reference guide. Use the information to gain a broad understanding of potential costs associated with minor alterations and improvements.

If your specific request or scope is not listed, please submit a service request for an Order of Magnitude Estimate (OME). 

Try our Copilot agent for your general cost estimates. 

Be sure to log in with your MSU NetID and password to access the agent, IPF Minor A&I Cost Estimator. AI is a great tool; however, it can’t replace professional cost estimators who understand the nuances and context of the job, location, and building and what specific requirements are needed. Actual project costs may vary significantly depending on the final scope of work. 

Examples of 3 different prompts for the agent are listed below:

1. Please provide a cost estimate for a 2000 SF office renovation including: replace flooring, paint, and walls.
2. Generate a cost estimate to abate floor tile in Room 125; prepare polished concrete floor in Room 127; remove half of block wall between rooms 125 and 127; remove accoustical ceilings, electrical/plumbing/compressed air in removed block wall; hang existing light fixtures fore reinstallation; remove and reinstall casework along removed wall in Room 125; cut and patch slap on grade for floor drain/associated rough plumbing; tooth-in block at edges of removed wall; provide (3) 5'10" epoxy resin top benches; install VCT flooring; paint walls; install accoustical ceilings; relocate laster and associated infrastructure; provide compressed air and electrical poles to lab benches; combine DDC controls between the rooms; provide eye wash station with floor drain; and rehang the lighting fixtures and combine the zones.
3. What is the cost estimate for a 2000 SF classroom renovation? The work scope includes: remove furniture; remove flooring; remove (1) door and widen opening to create an ADA entrance; paint walls; provide furniture for computer stations and open areas ($100,000 allowance); provide hybrid REAL classroom technology ($200,000 allowance); and provide power and data stations.

Please note:  

• General fund project requests of $75,000 or more require submission of an OME or PCE. These requests will be routed to Institutional Space Planning and Management (ISPM) for review and funding approval before being returned to IPF for scheduling and implementation.
• Projects of $100,000 or more require a plant fund account. The plant fund account must be established prior to proceeding and must include all required cost estimate and funding approval documentation.

Factors that can influence pricing include: 

• Preparation and demolition work 
• Asbestos abatement 
• Relocation of electrical or plumbing 
• Updates required to meet current codes and standards 
• Labor and material costs 
• Site-specific conditions 

This information is intended to help units gain a better understanding of the potential financial implications of typical service requests. Refer to the glossary below for definitions and measurement assistance.

If your specific request or scope is not listed, please submit a service request for an Order of Magnitude Estimate (OME). 

Check the status of your project: Navigate to planon.msu.edu and view My Requests.  
 
We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to improve our services.   
For questions, please call ContactIPF at 353-1760. 
 

Order of Magnitude Estimate (OME) 

An OME is a very early, high-level estimate used to assess whether a project may be financially feasible. It is based on limited information, broad assumptions, and experience with similar projects. This estimate is not detailed or precise and should not be used to establish a budget for funding requests. Its primary purpose is to help stakeholders determine whether to proceed with a more comprehensive Preliminary Cost Estimate (PCE) to develop a project budget.   

Submit a service request for an OME and we’ll provide a general idea of potential cost for alterations or improvements. An account number is required when submitting the service request. Final billing for the cost estimate will reflect actual time and material used. IPF will contact you with questions or to review the scope of your request.  

Once an OME is returned, customer may choose one of the following options:

1. Approve to Proceed with the work, funding is in place.
2. Request PCE to obtain a feasibility, pre-design, or conceptual design study to establish a project budget breakdown.
3. Reject, the project will not proceed.

Please note:  

• General fund project requests of $75,000 or more require submission of an OME or PCE. These requests will be routed to Institutional Space Planning and Management (ISPM) for review and funding approval before being returned to IPF for scheduling and implementation.
• Projects of $100,000 or more require a plant fund account. The plant fund account must be established prior to proceeding and must include all required cost estimate and funding approval documentation.

Check the status of your project: Navigate to planon.msu.edu and view My Requests.  

We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to improve our services.   
For questions, please call ContactIPF at 353-1760. 

Requests for Preliminary Cost Estimate (PCE) for Budget Development  

A PCE provides a breakdown of expected project costs — including labor, materials, equipment, services, and fees — based on a clearly defined scope. The estimate may involve site visits, feasibility or pre-design study, conceptual design development, and input from subject matter experts depending on the size and complexity of the project.

To develop a project budget to secure funding, please submit a service request for a PCE. An account number is required when submitting the service request. 

Once your request is submitted: 

1. IPF will contact you to schedule a site visit to review scope and requirements.  
2. If a study is required to develop the cost estimate, the costs associated with conducting the study and preparing the estimate will be billed to the requestor.
3. An account number must be provided before cost estimating work begins.

Once a PCE is returned, choose one of the following options:

1. Approve to Proceed with the work, funding is in place.
2. On Hold pending funding/MAU approvals. If funding/MAU approvals are not received within 90 days, the service request status will be updated to Rejected.
3. Reject, the project will not proceed.

Please note:  

• General fund project requests of $75,000 or more require submission of an OME or PCE. These requests will be routed to Institutional Space Planning and Management (ISPM) for review and funding approval before being returned to IPF for scheduling and implementation.
• Projects of $100,000 or more require a plant fund account. The plant fund account must be established prior to proceeding and must include all required cost estimate and funding approval documentation.

Check the status of your project: Navigate to planon.msu.edu and view My Requests.  
 
We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to improve our services.   
For questions, please call ContactIPF at 353-1760.

Glossary

SF – Square Foot
To calculate the square footage of an area, follow these steps: 

• Measure the length in inches, divide by 12. 
• Measure the width in inches, divide by 12. 
• Multiply the length by the width to get the area in square feet. 
• The formula is: 
  Area (SF) = Length (ft) x Width (ft) 
  Or use an online square footage calculator such as this one.
   

LF – Linear Foot
To determine linear foot measure the length in inches. Convert to feet by dividing by 12. 
 

EA – Each / per item 

Check the status of your project: Navigate to planon.msu.edu and view My Requests.  
 
We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to improve our services.