Construction Estimating Guides
Straight answers on takeoffs, concrete budgets, WA pricing and turnaround, written by estimators who price Perth jobs every week.
Guides
Construction Programming and Scheduling in Perth: What a Program Includes and When You Need One
7 min read
What a construction program includes, when a Perth builder or subcontractor needs one, and why the dates hold better when the program is built from the estimate quantities.
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Pricing
What Decides the Cost of Polished Concrete in Perth
6 min read
Polished concrete is priced per square metre, and the rate moves with the grind level, the state of the slab, access, edge work and the sealer you choose.
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Guides
What Is a Quantity Takeoff? A Plain-English Guide for Perth Tradies
7 min read
Send us the plans and we measure them to scale, mark up your footings and slabs, and hand you a spreadsheet with a rate on every line. Here is what a takeoff is, in plain language.
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Commercial
Sub-Contract Review Checklist: What to Check Before You Sign
7 min read
The subcontract is written to protect the builder, not you. Here is the checklist of clauses to read before you sign, and the red flags that should make you stop.
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Industry Insights
Estimating Software vs a Real Estimator: What Perth Tradies Get Wrong
6 min read
Estimating software is a fast calculator, not a substitute for judgement. Here is what the software does well, where it falls down, and when a real estimator earns their fee.
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Pricing
How Much Does Construction Estimating Cost in Perth?
7 min read
What actually drives the cost of a construction estimate in Perth - project complexity, turnaround speed, and why the cheapest option often ends up being the most expensive.
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Concrete
How to Read a Concrete Slab Takeoff
8 min read
A colour-coded concrete slab takeoff can look complex if you have never read one. Here is what every line item means, what to check, and the common traps that catch builders out.
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Local Knowledge
Why East Coast Rate Cards Get Perth Jobs Wrong
9 min read
National estimating services use east coast rate cards. Perth supply prices, local subcontractor rates and WA council requirements are consistently different - sometimes by 15 to 25 percent on key line items.
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Guides
Construction Estimating vs Quantity Surveying
8 min read
Construction estimating and quantity surveying are often confused. They are different services for different needs. Here is a plain-language guide to which one a Perth builder or concreter actually needs.
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Concrete
7 Things That Blow Out a Perth Concrete Budget
7 min read
Budget blowouts on Perth concrete jobs follow a pattern. The same seven issues come up again and again. Here is what they are, why they happen, and what you can do about each one before you pour.
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Process
How Long Should a Construction Estimate Take?
6 min read
24 hours for most residential jobs, 2 to 3 days for commercial packages. Here is what actually determines how long a construction estimate takes, and what slows the process down.
Read the GuideGet a Quote Off Your Plans
Send us your plans and we will take it from there. You get the price before we start, 24-hour turnaround on most residential jobs, and no lock-in contract.