Keep quantities separate from prices
A useful renovation estimate starts with measured quantities and local quotes. A national average cannot tell you the condition of your property, access restrictions or the labour available in your area. Our tools let you enter your own prices instead of inventing a city adjustment.
For an example area of 100 units, a material rate of 20 and a 10% material-waste allowance, materials cost 2,200. Labour at 10 per area unit adds 1,000. Add 200 for delivery or other fixed items and the subtotal becomes 3,400. A 10% contingency applied to that subtotal gives a planning budget of 3,740.
Compare like with like
| Budget line | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Area | Same measured scope in each quote |
| Material | Same specification and quantity unit |
| Labour | Removal, preparation and installation included? |
| Fixed items | Delivery, disposal and access equipment |
| Contingency | Separate allowance, not a supplier quote |
Use either square metres or square feet consistently. A quantity in square feet multiplied by a price per square metre is not a meaningful cost. Waste applies to material quantities in our model; it does not automatically increase the labour area.
What the estimate cannot see
Hidden damage, structural work, permits, electrical changes and specialist testing may need separate assessment. The renovation tool is a budgeting worksheet, not a contractor quotation. Keep tax and financing assumptions explicit and avoid adding an item twice if a supplier already included it.
Save an original scenario and a contingency scenario. Comparing both makes uncertainty visible without turning an uncertain project into a falsely precise promise.