Understandably people want to know how much a project is going to cost before getting started. It’s a question we always get asked but one that is very difficult to answer. We try to explain by like this, If you wanted buy a car and you asked someone to give you a price for a car you could get quoted £500 or £1 million pounds. The final cost of the car will depend on many factors including make, model, optional extras etc etc. The same is very true of costing up a build project as its very difficult to get an accurate price until you have a detailed specification.

In General there are a number of factors that determine your project budget including:

1. Location
The cost of labour and material in certain parts of the country such as London is higher than the rest of the country 

2. General economic conditions
In difficult times it is worth getting a number of quotes as prices do seem to vary more as some builders price more competitively. The amount of work that a builder has can affect pricing as well as the cost of materials and the VAT rate.

3. Size and complexity of the project
Obviously the scale of the project will be a determining factor in your budget as more materials and time are needed for larger projects however this is not the whole picture. The complexity of the project can also have an impact on the price which is why a good set of drawings are advisable at the outset. Issues such as position of drains, whether a building is listed or is in a conservation area and countless other factors can all have an influence on the final price.

4. Specification and fit out
This is the area that really does vary enormously and one where your budget can really run away with you. The type of materials that you specify in the build and also the materials that you use in the fit out of your project will have a huge impact on your budget so it’s wise to keep this in mind when purchasing bathroom fittings, kitchens etc.

Using an architect will ensure that the correct information is provided and accurate quotes are obtained. Having your architect prepare a schedule of works and detail level drawings will also mean that there is less changes throughout the build phase and therefore less chance of your budget changing.

However if you want to get a ball park figure an approximation of £1500 to £2500 per square metre depending on specification could be used although we would always urge you to get a set of construction drawings before getting any detailed pricing.

We would be very happy to discuss your project in more detail if you would like to call us on 0208 996 0601.