Staying on top of your construction project’s budget

Managing a construction budget is most of what decides whether a project goes well. There are a lot of variables, material prices move, and several parties are spending at once. Here are the four things that keep it under control, and the tool we built to do the arithmetic.

Four strategies that work

1. Develop a detailed and realistic budget: Before starting any construction project, create a comprehensive budget that outlines all anticipated costs. This should include materials, labour, permits, equipment rental, and contingencies for unforeseen expenses. A well-thought-out budget provides a solid foundation for tracking and controlling costs throughout the project.
2. Regularly monitor and update your budget: Keeping an up-to-date budget is essential for staying on track financially. Regularly review your expenses, compare them against your initial budget, and make any necessary adjustments. This ongoing monitoring process allows you to identify potential issues early on and take corrective action before they escalate.
3. Implement cost control measures: Establish cost control measures to help minimise expenses and reduce the risk of overspending. This may include negotiating with suppliers for better prices, optimising the use of resources, and ensuring efficient scheduling and coordination among subcontractors.
4. Maintain clear communication with stakeholders: Effective communication with all project stakeholders, including clients, subcontractors, and suppliers, is crucial to managing your budget effectively. Ensure that everyone is aware of the project’s financial goals and that any changes or issues are communicated promptly.

The NU Build Cost Calculator

We built a budgeting tool for exactly this, and it is now live. The NU Build Cost Calculator prices the work by type and specification on our own rates, so you can put a construction figure against a project before you speak to anybody. What it does:

1. It prices by work type. A loft, a side return, a rear extension, a wraparound, a full renovation, a new build and a basement each carry their own rate.
2. It prices by specification. The same work at high end, prime and super prime is three different numbers, and the tool shows you which one you are asking for.
3. It uses our own rates. These are the figures we build to in London, not a national average.
4. It updates as you change the inputs, so you can see what moving the footprint or the specification actually does to the total.

A calculator is a starting point, not a cost plan. For a project-specific plan our quantity surveyor prepares one against the drawings. Tell us about the project, or read how the cost work sits inside our 12-stage process.