by Santtia Construction

Controlling the Final Cost of Your Renovation

Renovations are exciting, but staying on budget can sometimes feel like a challenge. At Santtia Construction, we take pride in delivering projects that stay within the agreed budget—every time. Here are the four key ingredients to keep your renovation costs under control:

1. Clear Communication from the Start

From day one, we ensure complete transparency. By understanding your vision, discussing priorities, and addressing potential concerns early, we lay the foundation for a smooth process with no surprises.

It helps to separate the specification into the contractor’s 5 main trade annexes: structural and building; plumbing and heating; carpentry and joinery; electrical; and decoration. We also reserve an extra annex for “other” which may include works to the garden or patio. We and our contractors find this easier than a room-by-room separation, particularly for larger projects. Each annex effectively forms a package of work for a specific trade (which may be a sub-contractor).

The basics & terms of renovation cost control explained

Each requirement, or group of requirements, in your specification should be priced. Against a taut specification, a contractor can supply a reliable quotation, which will appear in the first section of your pricing spreadsheet. such spreadsheet usually has 4 sections: price for contractor’s work, price for furnishings and fittings, professional fees and risk provision. These 4 sections should give you the total cost of your project. The spreadsheet will help you to manage your figures and to see where you might trade one price for another.

For higher value projects, a competitive tender should help you to obtain better value for money. When choosing your contractor, make sure you are comparing like with like. The more detailed your specification, the more likely you are to obtain a true comparison of prices.

Remember to agree the price with the contractor for any additional work before committing to it and keep an eye on the overall budget. Hopefully, if the risks don’t materialise, you will have a sum available to spend on these further tasks. You need to watch that the cost of house renovation doesn’t increase disproportionately as a result of additional work. Contractors know that you have few alternatives. So, when checking references, ask previous clients specifically whether the contractor priced additional work reasonably.

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Pricing spreadsheet: a key element in controlling your renovation spendings.

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At Santtia Construction, we don’t just construct buildings; we craft spaces that inspire, transform, and elevate lives. With over three decades of experience, we have become a trusted name in Southern California, known for turning visions into reality with precision, creativity, and integrity.

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