Translation guide
The expenses associated with building or renovating a structure. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed as 建設費 (kensetsuhi) or 建築費 (kenchikuhi), with nuances depending on the type of construction.
The total expenses for building something, such as a house, building, or infrastructure.
The most common and general term for construction costs, used for buildings, roads, bridges, etc. Suitable for both formal and everyday contexts.
新しい橋の建設費は100億円です。
The construction costs for the new bridge are 10 billion yen.
建設費が予算を超えました。
The construction costs exceeded the budget.
Specifically refers to the cost of constructing buildings (houses, offices, etc.). Often used in real estate and architectural contexts.
この家の建築費は3000万円です。
The construction costs for this house are 30 million yen.
Refers to the cost of construction work or engineering projects. Can be used for both buildings and civil engineering, but often implies the actual labor and material costs of the construction process.
工事費の見積もりを取ってください。
Please get an estimate of the construction costs.
Specifically the cost of carrying out the construction work (execution cost). Used in contracts and detailed breakdowns, often distinct from design or material costs.
施工費は別途お見積りいたします。
The construction costs will be quoted separately.
Specifically the expenses for constructing a residential home.
Explicitly means 'residential construction costs'. Used in formal contexts like housing loans or government statistics.
住宅建築費が高騰しています。
Residential construction costs are soaring.
A more conversational way to say 'the cost of building a house'. Literally 'expenses to build a house'.
家を建てる費用はどのくらいですか？
How much are the construction costs for building a house?
Expenses for renovating, remodeling, or repairing an existing structure.
Refers to renovation or repair costs, often for buildings or facilities. Used in both residential and commercial contexts.
マンションの改修費が値上がりした。
The renovation costs for the apartment building went up.
Commonly used for home renovation or remodeling costs. 'リフォーム' is a loanword from English 'reform', but in Japanese it specifically means renovation.
キッチンのリフォーム費用はいくらですか？
What are the renovation costs for the kitchen?
Specifically repair or maintenance costs. Often used in accounting or for regular upkeep of buildings.
建設費 (kensetsuhi) is the broadest term for construction costs, covering buildings, civil engineering, and infrastructure. 建築費 (kenchikuhi) is limited to building construction (architecture). 工事費 (koujihi) emphasizes the cost of the construction work itself and is often used in estimates and contracts.
You can often combine a noun with 費用 to mean 'the cost of ~'. For example, 建設費用 (kensetsu hiyou) is also acceptable and slightly more formal. In casual speech, お金 (okane) might be used: 家を建てるお金 (ie wo tateru okane) – 'money to build a house'.
建設費は予想以上に高かった。
The construction costs were higher than expected.
建設費を削減する必要があります。
We need to reduce construction costs.
修繕費として毎月積み立てています。
We set aside money every month for repair costs.