Columbarium cost to build
The costs to build a columbarium vary greatly, depending on the size of the building and the type of materials used. A basic cremation vault may cost $1,000 or less; an elaborate mausoleum can run into the millions.
The average cost to build a columbarium is around $50 per square foot, according to The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). This includes all labor, materials, equipment and overhead costs. The exact price will depend on factors such as the size and location of your facility as well as local labor rates.
Here is an example: If you want to build a 4,000-square-foot mausoleum that will house 1,000 niches, you would need at least 4,000 square feet of space for your niche spaces plus another 400 square feet for circulation areas. You should also allow at least 200 square feet for utilities and 100 additional square feet for any other necessities such as restrooms or foyers. This means that you would need about 5,600 square feet total for niches alone — not including any other amenities that you might want in your facility.
Columbarium cost to build
A columbarium is a place to house cremated remains. A columbarium can be an above ground structure or an underground vault. The cost to build a columbarium depends on the size and type of construction you choose.
Prices for building a columbarium vary depending on the size, location and materials used for construction.
How much does it cost to build a columbarium?
It costs about $8,000-$15,000 to build a basic above-ground columbarium, according to the National Cremation Association (NCA). Underground vaults are more expensive because they require excavation and concrete work. Expect to pay $35,000-$75,000 for an underground vault that holds 100 niches or burial spaces.
The price also varies depending on where you live because of local labor and material costs. In some areas, such as Florida and California, building codes limit the number of niches that can be constructed in one building because of fire safety concerns; this makes it more expensive to build larger structures that would otherwise hold more niches or burial spaces per square foot of space occupied by them.