Trump's Wall Calculator

So how much would Trump's Wall cost? We've made the most extensive research and even designed the structure!

Estimated cost19,344,600,000309,513,600 sq ft at 50, plus 25% contingency

Before contingency15,475,680,000

Contingency3,868,920,000

Floor area309,513,600 sq ft10,317,120 × 30 ft

Foundation and slab2,321,352,00015% of the base cost

Framing and roof6,190,272,00040% of the base cost

Cladding and finish4,642,704,00030% of the base cost

Everything else2,321,352,00015% not assigned to a trade above

Cost per square foot, all in62.5

Perimeter20,634,300 ftfor footings, plates and trim

Cost breakdown

Element	Share	Cost	Per sq ft
Foundation and slab	15%	2,321,352,000	7.5
Framing and roof	40%	6,190,272,000	20
Cladding and finish	30%	4,642,704,000	15
Everything else	15%	2,321,352,000	7.5
Base total	100%	15,475,680,000	50

Shares are yours to set — regional prices, specification and how much you do yourself move them a long way.

The formula

cost = area × cost per unit area, broken down by trade

The contingency is not optional

Construction estimates made from a rate per square foot are indicative at best. Ground conditions, access, specification changes and local labour prices all move the figure, and they move it upward far more often than down.

Fifteen per cent contingency is a reasonable minimum for work you have priced carefully, and twenty-five is not excessive for a first project or anything involving existing structure. The one thing a contingency is not for is scope you already know you want.

Break the total down by trade before trusting it. If any single line looks implausible against a real quotation, the rate per square foot was wrong.