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Architects estimating support

Estimating support for architects

Practical estimating support for UK architects who need a project-specific cost view alongside drawings and specification work. Send plans, schedules, specification notes or tender information for review, with the resulting estimate structured to show measured work, allowances, assumptions and cost-sensitive details. Use the construction estimating service when a scheme needs project-specific support, or check what drawings and information are needed for an estimate before pricing starts.

Upload plans for review Order a Quick Quote Early budget calculators

Upload plans for review suits design and tender packages where the available information needs reviewing before the estimating scope is confirmed. Quick Quote is the faster order-and-pay route when the project information is defined and you want to book professional estimating work. Calculators are for early budget checks only; they do not replace a measured estimate or cost review based on the current drawings and specification.

Illustrative estimate review
Budget alignmentCurrent design
Information statusDesign pack
Drawings
Ready
Specification
Review
Schedules
Pending
Example project packages
PackageStagePurposeStatusFlag
Residential extensionStage 3Cost checkReadyScope
Office refurbishmentStage 4TenderReviewSpecs
New-build homeStage 3OptionsReadyNone
Listed propertyStage 4BoQReviewDetails
Project informationReview route
Ready

Drawings, schedules and specification notes assembled for pricing review

Built on the experience of UK-based estimators.

Concept Cost Checks Early Design Budget Checks Developed Design Specification Review BoQ Preparation Tender Packages Option Comparisons

Good design decisions need a cost view that matches the information available.

Cost Estimator helps architects turn drawings, schedules, specifications and tender information into a clear, reviewable estimate. Measured quantities, labour and material allowances, preliminaries, assumptions and exclusions make the cost basis visible while the design is still being reviewed.

Drawing and specification review

A clearer way to review project cost

The estimate presents measured work, scope notes and cost assumptions in a structure that can be reviewed alongside the project information. That gives the design team a practical cost reference for client discussions, revisions and tender preparation.

  • Estimate reports, drawings and notes kept together
  • Scope notes, exclusions, allowances and provisional sums kept visible
  • Estimate sections laid out for design-team and client review
Residential extension and refurbishment
Overheads / Profit
OverheadsProfit Labour5%20% Materials5%20% Plant5%20%
TotalTotal inc OHP Labour£58,120.00£73,231.20 Materials£73,880.00£93,088.80 Plant£8,420.00£10,609.20 Provisional sums£33,611.40£33,611.40 Grand Total£174,031.40£210,540.60
Above costs exclude VAT
Design-stage cost control

Review the pricing basis against the current design.

A cost check is most useful while there is still time to respond to it. Cost Estimator helps you compare the pricing basis against the current design, identify cost-sensitive choices and keep the client discussion tied to the information actually available.

  • Review the estimate against the current drawings and specification
  • Compare options before the next design or client decision
  • Keep revisions and unresolved allowances visible before issue
Review Pricing Additions
Overheads % Profit %
Total Total inc OHP £ £73,231.20 £ £93,088.80 £ £10,609.20 £ £33,611.40 £174,031.40 £210,540.60
Cost reports and outputs

Cost information for client and tender conversations

The estimate needs to support a real decision, not sit beside the drawing pack as a separate document. Cost Estimator provides reports and measured breakdowns that can support option reviews, client budget conversations and contractor pricing.

  • BoQ-style reports for measurement and scope review
  • Summary cost information for client budget discussions
  • Detailed breakdowns for tender and contractor review
Bill of Quantities Work Section Bill of Quantities
Summary
Bill No. 1 Main Contractor’s Preliminaries£19,643.46
Bill No. 2 Access, Scaffolding and Temporary Protection£29,906.18
Bill No. 3 Drainage, Lifting and Transport£22,405.82
Bill No. 4 Alterations, Repairs and Conservation£14,679.06
Bill No. 5 Carpentry / Specialist Timber Replacement£30,100.73
Bill No. 6 Structural Metalwork£3,059.99
Bill No. 7 Sheet Roof Coverings / Leadwork£4,479.90
Bill No. 8 Floor, Wall and Ceiling Finishings£19,120.03
Total, exclusive of any credits, adjustments and VAT£176,278.39
Bill No. 1 Main contractor’s preliminaries
1.1Main contractor’s preliminariesQuantityUnitCost (£)
1.1Set up site, provide welfare, temporary protection, small tools and clear away on completion1.00Item£2,669.06
1.2Site management and supervision for assumed 8-week programme8.00Week£8,206.00
Specification and change risk

Small design changes can have a disproportionate cost effect.

Cost movement often sits in build-ups, finishes, access, temporary works, services coordination and unresolved specification choices. Estimating support makes assumptions and provisional items visible so the team can see where more information or a design decision is needed.

  • Early visibility of assumptions, change and uncertainty
  • A clearer view of cost-sensitive design and specification items
  • Better information for client, consultant and tender discussions
S-curve

Choose the right route

Three ways to start, depending on the design stage and information available.

Each route does a different job. Use project-specific estimating support when drawings and specifications need proper attention, and keep calculators for early client benchmarks only.

Route 01

Upload plans for review

Best when you have drawings, specifications, schedules or a tender package and want the information reviewed before the estimating scope is confirmed.

Right for
Plans-led schemes, developed design, tender packages, option reviews and more detailed project cost work.
What happens next
Send the drawings, schedules, specification or scope information and we will review the package before confirming the right route.
Upload plans for review
Route 02

Order a Quick Quote

The fast order-and-pay route when the project is defined and you want to book professional estimating work.

Right for
Defined projects where the information is ready and the estimating work fits a bookable route.
What happens next
Place the order, send the information and the estimating work is booked in.
Order a Quick Quote
Route 03

Early budget calculators

Useful for early budgeting and rough planning before you need formal estimating support.

Right for
Initial cost checks, early client conversations and rough option comparisons.
What happens next
You get an early budgeting steer. It is not a substitute for a measured estimate or design-stage cost review.
Use calculators for early checks

Architect hub

Architect cost planning, BoQ and tender guides

Practical guidance for architects who need drawings, specifications and design decisions to connect more clearly with project cost.

What drawings are needed for an estimate?

The plans, schedules, specification notes and missing information that affect whether project costs can be measured cleanly.

Read guide

Design a self-build to budget

How to compare revisions, protect the main design priorities and keep option decisions tied to an agreed budget.

Read guide

How a bill of quantities is prepared

A practical look at drawing review, measurement, work sections, descriptions and the pricing basis behind a BoQ.

Read guide

Tender-ready estimating support

When a tender package needs measured work, allowances, exclusions and a reviewable BoQ-style pricing structure.

Read guide

How regulations affect extension costs

Where compliance, fabric, structure, services and specification choices affect extension and refurbishment budgets.

Read guide

Pre-construction delays and site viability

How programme drift and build-cost movement can change the commercial position before a project reaches site.

Read guide

Compare building quotes like-for-like

What to check when contractor prices differ because scope, allowances, exclusions and pricing assumptions do not match.

Read guide

How it works

A straightforward route from design information to a clearer project cost.

01

Send the project details

Share drawings, schedules, specification notes, scope information and the project stage you are working at.

02

We confirm the appropriate route

We look at the package so the estimating route matches the information available and the design or client decision in front of you.

03

Estimating support is prepared

Measured work, pricing structure, scope notes, allowances and unresolved items are organised around the current project information.

04

You review the estimate with the design information

You have clearer quantities, allowances, assumptions and cost-sensitive items to review with the client or wider project team.

Reassurance

Built around real design information and practical estimating work.

The aim is simple: connect the current design information with a measured cost basis, keep unclear items visible and support the next client, design or tender decision with solid estimating input.

‘…consistently excellent. Their help with project estimating has played a key role in winning work…’ Hoda Construction
  • Practical estimating experience Support built around real drawings, scopes, allowances, exclusions and measured work.
  • Clear next steps The route is explained up front, so you know what happens next.
  • Matched to the information available The estimating scope is confirmed against the drawings, specifications, schedules and intended use of the estimate.
  • UK-wide support Built for UK construction work across architects, builders, developers and project teams.

Start with the right route

Send the design information and confirm the right estimating route.

Upload plans for review when the scheme needs project-specific support, use Quick Quote when the information is ready and the work fits a bookable route, or use a calculator for an early benchmark only.

Upload plans for review Order a Quick Quote

Early stage only? Use a Cost Calculator

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