Quantity take-off
Every material and labour quantity measured directly off your drawings — concrete, framing, brickwork, linear metres, square metres — so nothing is guessed and nothing is missed.
Building estimating in Melbourne & Victoria Know what it costs before you commit.
Independent construction cost estimates for builders, architects and homeowners across Melbourne. Send us your plans and get a clear, itemised number you can build to, tender with, or take to the bank.
- Fixed fee, quoted before any work starts
- Plans in PDF, or send a Dropbox link
- Melbourne and regional Victoria
What we do
Estimating services
From a rough number at sketch stage to a full trade-by-trade bill of quantities you can tender with.
Bill of quantities (BOQ)
A structured, trade-by-trade schedule of quantities so every builder and subcontractor prices the same scope. Makes quotes genuinely comparable instead of guesswork.
Tender estimates
A full priced estimate prepared so you can bid competitively without eroding your margin — or assess the bids you have received on a like-for-like basis.
Preliminary & feasibility estimates
An early cost figure from concept sketches, before working drawings exist, so you can test whether a project stacks up before spending money on full documentation.
Cost planning
A living budget that is updated as the design develops, from concept through to construction documentation, so cost surprises surface early while changes are still cheap.
Who we work with
Different clients, different questions
- Builders
- Fast, accurate tender pricing so you win work without underquoting it. Complete take-offs you can hand straight to your subbies.
- Architects & designers
- Cost feedback while the design is still moving, so you find out a scheme is over budget before your client does.
- Owner-builders
- A bill of quantities you can send to trades to get comparable quotes, so you are not relying on industry pricing knowledge you do not have.
- Homeowners renovating
- A plain-English estimate for your extension or renovation before you commit to a builder, so you can budget with confidence.
How it works
Four steps, no surprises
Send your plans
Upload your drawings or share a Dropbox or Google Drive link. PDF is ideal. Architectural and structural drawings plus any specification or schedule of finishes.
Get a fixed fee
We review the scope and come back with a fixed price and a delivery date. No hourly billing, no surprises. You decide before any work starts.
We measure and price
Quantities are measured off the drawings and priced against current Melbourne rates, with assumptions and exclusions written down rather than buried.
You get the estimate
A clear, itemised estimate you can act on, plus a conversation to walk you through it. Questions afterwards are part of the job, not an extra.
What you receive
An estimate you can actually use
Not a single number on a page. An itemised breakdown you can issue to trades, take to a lender, or build to.
- An itemised cost breakdown by trade
- Measured quantities you can issue to subcontractors
- Assumptions, inclusions and exclusions stated plainly
- Provisional sums and contingency identified separately
- Delivered in PDF, with Excel on request
- A call to walk through the numbers
Send your drawings and we will tell you what it costs to build.
Request an estimateClients
What people say
As a Building Designer, I have worked closely with Greg on many projects. Whether it was discussing construction methods, resolving site issues, preparing estimates or reviewing working drawings, his knowledge and attention to detail were always evident.
Greg’s broad experience across the entire building process makes him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking estimating or construction advice.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Greg to builders, architects and designers requiring reliable and accurate estimating services.
Greg has been estimating all of my work for over two years now. I have complete trust in his work. He knows what he is doing.
Request an estimate
Send your plans, get a fixed fee
Tell us about the project and we will come back with a fixed price and a delivery date before any work begins. No obligation.
- We review your drawings and scope
- You get a fixed fee and a date, in writing
- You decide — nothing starts until you say so
Prefer to talk it through? 0420 976 524
Questions
Before you get in touch
What is the difference between a building estimator and a quantity surveyor?
An estimator focuses on pre-construction cost: measuring quantities and pricing the work so you can budget or tender. A quantity surveyor typically covers that plus ongoing contract administration and cost management across the whole project, and holds formal accredited qualifications such as AIQS or RICS membership. We are upfront about which service you are getting, and will tell you if what you need is properly quantity surveying work.
What do you need from me to start?
Architectural drawings at minimum. Structural and engineering drawings, a specification, and a schedule of finishes all improve accuracy. If your drawings are still developing, say so — a preliminary estimate from sketches is a legitimate and useful thing to do.
What file formats can you work with?
PDF drawings are the standard and always work. If your set is large, send a Dropbox or Google Drive link instead of attaching files.
How accurate is an estimate?
Accuracy depends on how developed the documentation is. An estimate from concept sketches is indicative and used to test feasibility; an estimate from full construction drawings is far tighter. We state the basis and the assumptions so you know what you are relying on.
Do you work outside Melbourne?
Yes. Estimating is done from your drawings, so regional Victorian projects are straightforward. Get in touch about interstate work.