“You set out to build a home and you wind up in the poor house.”
Jim Blandings, played by Cary Grant in the 1948 Movie
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
In this industry it’s not hard to find a project that’s over-budget. It need not be so.
If you’re planning a project for a client, or yourself, it’s likely that much thought has been given to the design brief. But how much attention has been given to the budget?
Budgets are often conjured up quickly, simply and without sufficient consideration. No great surprise then that there’s commonly a difference between the intended cost of a project and the final result.
It’s rarely the choice of colours, kitchens or cladding that send a project sour, it’s almost always the cost.
Getting the budget right from the outset is the key step in cost planning, and remember: ‘budget’ and ‘cost’ are not the same.
“… money doesn’t talk, it swears.” (Bob Dylan)
So true! It’s never too early to commence cost planning… whether you’re seeking funding, setting budgets, looking for a site, or just thinking about the scope, scale and needs of your project.
Done well, cost planning is a management and guiding process giving the client and the design team the direction, strategy and confidence to continue.
Architects don’t respond to every design-brief, site or client with the same concept, so please don’t use random dollars-per-square-metre rates to estimate costs.
For advice, as individual as your project, please make contact.
