Build Prices & Project Costs

Pricing is one of the first questions people have — and understandably so.
Construction costs are shaped by far more than square metres or finishes. Site conditions, existing structures, planning constraints, performance targets, and sequencing decisions all influence cost — often significantly.

Publishing generic build prices early creates false expectations and leads to poor decisions later. Instead, pricing is developed in stages, as information becomes clear.

Why We Don’t Publish Standard Build Prices

Every project begins in a different place.

  • An existing home may carry structural unknowns.

  • A site may present compliance constraints.

  • A design may require performance outcomes beyond minimum code.

Two homes of similar size can vary dramatically in cost depending on:

  • Existing conditions

  • Structural complexity

  • Access and staging

  • Material and performance expectations

  • Level of documentation before pricing

Rather than offering rough numbers that don’t reflect reality, we focus on building clarity first — so pricing can be meaningful.

How Pricing Typically Develops

1. Initial Conversation

We begin by understanding context:

  • What you’re hoping to achieve

  • What currently exists

  • Any known constraints

  • Where you are in the decision process

This step helps determine whether the project is suitable and what kind of next step makes sense.

3. Scope Alignment & Pre-Construction

Once feasibility is confirmed, scope is aligned deliberately before pricing is finalised.

This includes:

  • Reviewing documentation

  • Clarifying inclusions and exclusions

  • Confirming build sequencing

  • Ensuring expectations and budget remain aligned

Meaningful pricing is only possible once scope is properly understood.

2. Feasibility & Early Cost Direction

Before design advances too far, we work to clarify feasibility.

This may involve:

  • Reviewing site and structural conditions

  • Identifying planning or compliance limitations

  • Discussing realistic cost direction

  • Flagging potential risks early

At this stage, we focus on replacing assumptions with information.

4. Construction Pricing

Projects are priced from resolved information — not allowances or guesswork.

This leads to:

  • Greater clarity in contracts

  • Fewer unexpected variations

  • More controlled construction outcomes

  • A well-defined scope protects both client and builder.

What This Approach Avoids

This approach is designed to avoid artificially low "starting from" prices, under-allowanced quotes, and the common scenario where design progresses well beyond the realities of budget. It also minimizes reactive variations during construction - the kind that create pressure, disrupt timelines, and inflate costs.

Typical Budget Considerations

While every project is unique, most of the work we undertake sits within established budget ranges. These reflect projects involving meaningful structural or spatial change, performance-focused building practices, and a carefully controlled, well-managed delivery process.

If you're unsure where your project may sit, that's completely normal. Clarity around cost typically begins with a structured conversation that brings scope, priorities, and feasibility into alignment.

Where to Begin

Most projects begin with a building consultation or a feasibility-focused discussion. These early steps lay the groundwork for accurate pricing, informed decisions, and a clear path forward.

If this way of working resonates with you, the next step is simply to start the conversation.