Hard costs
Direct construction costs such as labor, materials, and equipment.
Hard costs are direct expenses related to physical construction, such as labor, materials, and equipment. They are critical for budgeting, cost control, and financial planning, representing a significant portion of total project costs. Accurate estimation and management of hard costs are essential for ensuring projects remain financially viable, supporting effective resource allocation, and maintaining quality and schedule commitments throughout construction.
Used in a sentence
The project budget was divided into hard costs and soft costs.
Synonyms/variation
Direct Costs
Stay updated on what’s happening in construction.
Subscribe to Blueprint, Procore’s free construction newsletter, to get content from industry experts delivered straight to your inbox.
Learn MoreLearn more about Hard costs
How GCs Can Achieve Better Accountability with Financial Analysis Software
Virtually every general contractor (GC) financially plans for a project before it gets underway. The trouble isn’t necessarily budgeting — it’s monitoring that budget from groundbreak on. Every project has a multitude of moving parts, all while different people report different information at different times. A GC might not really know how the build shook out […]
RIP Expense Reports: How PMs Can Leverage Tech for Precision Spend Management
Mismanaging money costs money. And across construction, random credit card swipes and stray receipts add to the mystery spending that disrupts budgets — and aggravates project mangers. Replace the randomness with cohesion and every aspect of project operations — including materials management, scheduling and budgeting — proceeds more smoothly. Today’s tech-enabled, AI-assisted tools for managing spend […]
What Happens When Data Drives the Business?
Construction has long been seen as a low-margin industry. But what if the real problem isn’t the margins—it’s how decisions get made? In episode 17 of The Power of Construction, we sit down with Indra Gutiérrez, President of Gutier, who’s transforming what’s possible when data drives business decisions. Starting with zero capital, she’s built a […]
How GCs Gain Control and Insight With Budget Tracking Tools
General contractors (GCs) operate on razor-thin margins. The unexpected can easily eat into their profits — or even mean taking a loss on a project. Fortunately, budget tracking tools are giving GCs greater control and insight, helping them protect their bottom line. With these types of tools in play, contracting firms gain the ability to […]
How can we improve this glossary entry?
By clicking this button, you agree to our Privacy Notice and Terms of Service.