The Butler County Commissioners on Wednesday approved four contracts totaling $945,482 for construction of a new Cranberry Township district court building.

All four contracts were awarded to the low bidders.

Phase One Development of Cranberry Township was awarded a $723,000 contract for general construction of the 3,650-square-foot building on Marshall Road. The next lowest of the other five bids was $773,183.

Gerard Plumbing & Heating of Coraopolis was awarded an $86,725 contract for electrical work.

Newman’s Plumbing of Harmony was awarded a $67,322 contract for plumbing work.

Central Heating & Plumbing of New Castle was awarded a $68,435 contract for mechanical work.

The estimated total project cost was $1.3 million to $1.43 million.

County Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said bids came in higher than he expected, but constructing a new building was better than continuing to pay rent for the current district court.

“That rent will continue to go up,” McCarrier said.

The county in 2013 paid $71,651 in rent to Lue-Regent Associates for District Judge David Kovach’s current office on Executive Drive.

The commissioners said last week they would use part of the revenue from selling the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to pay for this project.

“The county will have this building free and clear,” McCarrier said.

Work is slated to begin this summer with a January 2015 completion.