Expert Construction Cost Estimating Services in Melbourne & across Australia

Our estimates achieve a high level of accuracy through methods we have refined over 15 years in the Australian construction industry. Accuracy varies depending on the type of estimate: preliminary estimates are typically within 15-25% of final costs due to limited initial information. Detailed estimates consistently achieve 5-10% accuracy when working with complete specifications and drawings. We achieve this accuracy using specialized software, our extensive Australian market cost database and risk assessment techniques that take into account project specific variables and regional price differences.

We offer a wide range of cost estimating services for Australian construction projects:

• Preliminary and conceptual estimates for early planning
• Detailed construction accounts with full quantification
• Elemental cost estimates broken down by building components
• Change order estimation for changes during the life of the project
• Specialized estimates for specific project requirements
• Parametric cost modeling with statistical analysis
• Value engineering to identify cost saving opportunities
• Cost benchmarking against industry standards
• Integration services to customize estimates to your project management processes

The time required depends on your project's size and complexity of your project, the documentation available and the type of estimate. For standard projects, preliminary estimates usually take 3-5 working days. Detailed estimates for medium-sized projects usually take 5-10 working days, while large or complex projects can take 2-3 weeks to ensure thoroughness. We also offer rush services in urgent cases. When we have complete project documentation from the start, we can deliver accurate results faster.

For an accurate estimate, we need the project documentation, including architectural plans, engineering drawings, specifications, site information, project schedule and any special requirements. The more detailed the documentation, the more accurate the estimate. We can use conceptual designs and project descriptions for preliminary work. Detailed estimates require comprehensive drawings, material specifications, geotechnical reports and site condition information. Once we know your schedule, quality expectations, procurement strategy and specific cost expectations, we can customize our approach to meet your needs.

We take into account regional price differences in Australia through location-specific costing. Our database tracks current construction costs in different regions, from city centers to remote areas. Our estimators analyze local material availability and pricing of materials, regional labor costs, transportation costs, equipment rental rates and local regulations that impact costs. We also take into account climate and environmental conditions that impact construction methods and schedules. This approach ensures that our estimates reflect the true cost of building in your specific location, whether in urban Victoria or remote Western Australia.

We use industry-leading software that is optimized for the Australian construction market. This includes dedicated platforms for detailed quantity takeoffs, BIM integration tools for extracting quantities from 3D models, parametric modeling software for statistical analysis and custom cost databases for Australian pricing. We use cloud-based collaboration tools for seamless information sharing with clients and project teams. Our estimators are trained in advanced digital measurement techniques, and we regularly update our technology to incorporate the latest innovations to ensure accurate and efficient estimation for your project.

Instead of using general percentage contingencies, we perform specific risk assessments tailored to each project. We identify potential risk events through systematic analysis, quantify their potential cost impact, assess probability based on historical data and expert judgment, and calculate appropriate contingency reserves using statistical methods. We categorize contingencies into allowances for design development, contingencies for construction and owner's reserves and clearly document all assumptions. This approach ensures better financial planning and allows for strategic risk management throughout the project, so you can be confident that your budget can handle potential challenges.

Yes, we offer value engineering as part of our costing to reduce costs without compromising quality or functionality. Our approach includes analyzing the requirements of your project, identifying costly areas through detailed breakdown, developing alternatives for these elements, evaluating the options against performance criteria and calculating the potential savings for each viable option. We focus on optimizing materials, construction methods, building systems and design elements to drive value. Our recommendations are accompanied by clear cost-benefit analyzes for informed decision making. Unlike simple cost reductions, our value engineering maximizes the relationship between function and cost, ensuring optimal value while maintaining quality.

Our estimates are designed to fit seamlessly into general project management through our construction financial planning approach. Our estimates are aligned with project planning and allow for cost-intensive schedules that enable cash flow projections and earned value analysis. We format the cost data so that it can be used with common project management software, enabling digital integration with your existing systems. Our team coordinates with procurement processes to ensure that cost estimates reflect actual purchasing strategies. We provide budget monitoring frameworks that support ongoing cost control throughout the construction phase. This integrated approach ensures that cost management acts as a key component of overall project control, supporting informed decisions from the beginning to the end of the project.