A budget you can read
Our budgets are set out by scope so you can see where the money goes. Each trade has its own section. General conditions, permits, allowances and contingency are shown separately. You can see what is included, what is assumed and what is not covered.
We also explain how changes will be handled once the contract is signed. Any change in scope is priced in writing and approved by you before work proceeds, so the budget remains a living, accurate document and not a number that drifts quietly.
For electrical, mechanical, low voltage, interior systems, carpentry and millwork, painting, and doors and hardware, the numbers come from our own crews. They know labour hours, material costs and what is realistic in the field. For specialty scopes we tender to qualified subcontractors and compare their bids.
What is in the budget
- Direct construction costs by trade
- Supervision, site setup, safety and cleanup
- Permit and inspection fees
- Allowances for items not yet chosen
- Contingency for unknowns
- Clear list of exclusions
Reconciling with your target
If the price is above target, we do not simply ask you to accept it. We look for adjustments with you: alternate materials, simplified details, phased scope or a different system. Our trades can price these options quickly, so you can choose and move forward.
Allowances and contingency
Allowances hold a place for items not yet chosen, such as finishes or fixtures. Contingency covers unknowns. Both are shown clearly so you understand what they are for. We recommend a contingency that fits the project's risk, and it is higher in older buildings. We review how it was used with you as the job closes.
What to plan for
Expect to review the budget in a meeting where we explain each part. Be ready to ask about allowances and contingency, and to decide what to do if they are not used. Approval of the budget leads to the contract and the schedule. The next step is the schedule, where cost and time are tied together.