Insider Information & Top Tips
The Best Way to Price Your Build Project and most importantly, Avoid Costly Mistakes.
Want to Build Without Breaking the Bank? Start With the Right Price.
I have seen clients make mistakes time and time over.
If you’re planning a construction project, whether it’s a new home, extension, HMO conversion or commercial fit-out, getting the price right from day one is essential.
At Create, we’ve seen what happens when pricing is done badly: overspends, delays, frustrations, and shattered expectations. So in this blog, we’re lifting the lid on how to accurately and confidently price YOUR build project, the right way, from the ground up.
Why So Many Projects Go Wrong at Pricing Stage
Most build problems don’t begin on-site, they start way earlier, when the project is priced too vaguely, too cheaply, or too optimistically and most recently, how they are funded. The result?
- Unrealistic budgets
- Scope gaps
- “Didn’t know that wasn’t included” surprises
- Constant variations (a.k.a. unexpected bills)
That’s why your pricing process matters more than the price itself.
Step 1: Start With a Clear, Detailed Scope
Before you can price anything, you need to know exactly what you’re building. That means:
• Scaled architectural drawings & approved building regs plans (For the detail)
• Structural engineer plans (if required)
• A room-by-room specification
• Any planning conditions or design constraints
The more detail you provide, the more accurate the pricing will be. If you’re vague, your quote will be vague, too, and vagueness equals risk.
Step 2: Use a Measured, Itemised Take-Off
A good quote isn’t just a number. It’s a breakdown of materials, labour, plant, and prelims, structured by trade or build stage.
At Create, we price using a trade-by-trade take-off, covering:
- Groundworks & foundations
- Superstructure (block, timber frame, etc.)
- First fix & second fix joinery/carpentry
- Electrical & Fire Alarm
- Plumbing & Heating
- Plastering, Tiling decorating, and Flooring
- External works & landscaping
We include realistic PC sums for kitchens, bathrooms, tiling, and more, so you know where every pound goes.
Step 3: Build in Prelims, Overheads & Contingency
Too many quotes miss the essentials, the things needed to actually run a site. These include:
- Site welfare (toilets, handwash, welfare cabins)
- Skip hire and waste disposal
- Temporary fencing and scaffolding (If Required)
- Health & Safety management
- Site supervision and project management
Plus:
- Overheads (office, admin, insurance)
- Profit (because no business can run without it)
- Contingency (recommended 5–10% of the budget)
If you think a quote seems too low, check if these elements are missing; they often are.
Step 4: Match Your Budget to Your Expectations
You can build to a budget, or you can build to a spec, but rarely both without compromise. Decide early on:
Are you aiming for aesthetic and design, or speed and efficiency?
Choose where to flex:
Could you use standard windows instead of bespoke?
Would you be open to changing floor coverings to stay in budget?
Can you phase external works to reduce the upfront spend?
Honest conversations at the start = fewer painful decisions later.
Step 5: Use Transparent Contracts and Payment Schedules
Once the pricing is agreed, formalise it with:
• A JCT or written construction contract
• Milestone-linked payment stages
• A clear process for variations or scope changes
This protects you and your builder and keeps everyone aligned throughout the project.
Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid
• Quoting off a basic drawing pack with no engineering detail
• No contingency for unknowns (especially with groundworks)
• Assuming the builder knows your vision without a written spec
No clear payment structure, leading to confusion and conflict
• Ignoring VAT and getting a shock at the invoice stage
How We Price Projects at Create.
We use a hybrid of software, experience, and live supplier input to price projects accurately. Every quote includes:
A full trade-by-trade breakdown
Provisional sums if & where required
Prelims, overheads, profit
VAT (where applicable)
Transparent exclusions and assumptions
We also walk clients through the estimate line-by-line, so they know exactly what’s included & in most cases, labour & material split so you can see what is and what isn’t included = No hidden surprises.
Final Thoughts: Price Your Project Like a Pro
The price of a project isn’t just a number, it’s a blueprint for everything to come. If it’s built on vague assumptions, you’ll hit problems. If it’s built on detail and transparency, you’ll stay in control.
If you’re planning a build and want an accurate, honest, and clearly broken-down price, we’d be happy to help.
Barney Gregory
Projects Manager
Ready to Build Smarter? Contact Us Today!
