What does your project actually cost?
A defensible budget band for your project — turnkey, not just interiors. Adjust the inputs on the left to refine the estimate. When you're ready, request the line-item breakdown by email.
Per-square-foot cost by market.
Total turnkey cost (envelope, structure, MEP, interiors, FF&E, landscape, soft costs, contingency) for elevated-luxury new construction across the fourteen markets Cerro Studio serves. Use these as planning bands; refine with the calculator above for your specific project.
| Market | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Coast · Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties | $1,200 | $1,700 | $2,500 |
| LA Westside · Los Angeles County | $1,500 | $2,200 | $3,500 |
| Orange County · Orange County | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,200 |
| San Diego · San Diego County | $900 | $1,400 | $2,000 |
| SF Peninsula · San Mateo & San Francisco Counties | $1,400 | $2,100 | $3,000 |
| Palo Alto · Santa Clara County | $1,200 | $1,900 | $2,800 |
| Napa · Napa County | $1,100 | $1,600 | $2,400 |
| Sonoma · Sonoma County | $800 | $1,300 | $1,800 |
| Desert · Riverside County | $700 | $1,100 | $1,800 |
| Monterey Peninsula · Monterey County | $1,200 | $1,900 | $2,800 |
| North Lake Tahoe · Placer & Nevada Counties | $1,200 | $1,800 | $2,500 |
| Scottsdale / PV · Maricopa County, Arizona | $800 | $1,300 | $1,800 |
| Aspen · Pitkin County, Colorado | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Jackson Hole · Teton County, Wyoming | $1,500 | $2,400 | $3,500 |
Bands assume elevated-luxury finish (lime plaster, custom millwork, hand-finished tile, integrated art). Multipliers apply for project type (renovation 0.7×, addition 0.9×, restoration 1.15×) and finish level (standard 0.85×, ultra 1.30×).
What people ask about luxury budgets.
How much does luxury home construction cost per square foot in California?
Total turnkey luxury construction in California ranges from approximately $1,200 to $5,000 per square foot in 2025–26, depending on market, finish level, and project type. The "turnkey" figure includes envelope, structure, MEP, interiors, FF&E, landscape, soft costs, and contingency — not just construction shell costs.
What is the per-square-foot cost of a luxury new build in Montecito?
Luxury new builds on the Central Coast (Montecito, Hope Ranch, Carpinteria) range from $1,200 to $2,500 per square foot turnkey, with the median project landing near $1,700 per square foot. A 5,000 sqft elevated-luxury home runs approximately $8.5M mid-budget.
Why is luxury construction in Aspen the most expensive in our market mix?
Aspen luxury construction runs $2,500–$5,000 per square foot — roughly two to three times the Central Coast — because of high-altitude logistics, short build seasons, premium labor competition with the Roaring Fork Valley resort economy, and the trophy-asset character of the market. A 6,000 sqft mid-tier project lands near $21M.
How much does luxury construction cost on the SF Peninsula and in Palo Alto?
SF Peninsula luxury new builds (Atherton, Hillsborough, Pacific Heights) range $1,400–$3,000 per square foot turnkey. Palo Alto and the lower peninsula tech corridor (Old Palo Alto, Crescent Park, Menlo Park, Los Altos) run $1,200–$2,800 per square foot.
How does a renovation budget compare to a new build budget?
Whole-home renovations typically run about 70% of the equivalent new-build cost per square foot, since envelope, foundation, and lot work are largely already in place. Additions run about 90% (smaller scale, higher cost-per-sqft than a project average). Restorations of historic or character homes run about 115% of new build because of heritage materials, longer schedules, and jurisdictional review.
What is the difference between standard luxury, elevated luxury, and ultra luxury?
Standard luxury (multiplier 0.85×) covers high-quality stock finishes with selected custom moments. Elevated luxury (1.0×) is the Cerro Studio default — custom millwork, lime plaster, hand-finished tile, integrated art — which is what the per-square-foot bands here reflect at the mid figure. Ultra luxury (1.30×) covers heritage materials and bespoke specification at every layer (Belgian-blue limestone tier).
How much does the interior design + FF&E line item typically cost?
Interior design and FF&E (furniture, fixtures, equipment) typically represents about 22% of the total turnkey project budget. On a $5M Central Coast project, that line item runs approximately $1.1M — a figure that includes Cerro Studio's design fee, custom furniture, lighting, art coordination, fabric program, hardware, and procurement.
What does pool, wine cellar, or wellness suite add to a luxury budget?
A full pool and pavilion program adds approximately 8% to total budget, a wine cellar adds 3%, an integrated art program adds 5%, a wellness suite (sauna + cold plunge + recovery) adds 6%, and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) adds 12%. Inclusions stack additively and are computed as a percentage of the base turnkey figure.
Are these estimates a quote?
No. The bands are 2025–26 luxury market reference figures derived from RSMeans Luxury Index, JLL West Region quarterlies, and Cerro Studio delivered-project ranges. They are defensible enough to plan a project around and converse with an architect — never precise enough to be a binding quote. The most useful next step at any budget tier is a free Plan Review or Begin a Project conversation with the studio.
How quickly does Cerro Studio respond to estimator submissions?
We respond personally within five business days — often sooner. Every estimator submission is read by the principal designer and the studio manager. The detailed line-item breakdown is emailed immediately on submit; a follow-up note from the studio arrives within five business days.