Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can you work off preliminary plans or do you need full working drawings?
Yes, we can work off preliminary plans.
Many clients like to see if the initial design meets their budget before having final plans drawn up. Having an estimation prepared at the preliminary phase of your design provides a good indication of what your house will cost. If the cost of the build is too expensive, a preliminary estimate will save you from spending thousands of dollars on getting final plans drawn up.
Q. Do you need the engineering drawings?
No. West Coast Estimating will make assumptions on structural items such as footing sizes, beams and column sizes.
However if you do have the engineering plans, please pass them on to us. The more information you provide, the more accurate your estimate will be.
Q. Do we need to provide you with an addenda/material selections?
No. The beauty of Owner Building is that you can make decisions as you go through the building process.
We determine whether you prefer low, mid or high end specifications. Costings in the estimate are then adapted to suit your choice. If you have specific preferences, such as doors, taps or tiles, please let us know so we can include these items in your estimate.
Q. Can you recommend quality trades and suppliers?
Yes. Over the years we have built strong relationships with certain trades, including electricians, plumbers and ceiling fixers. We can recommend trades and obtain quotes from them if the plans contain enough information. We also provide you with a list of recommended suppliers. These suppliers have been chosen due to their competitive prices and good quality service.
Q. How long does an estimation take?
A. A comprehensive building estimation will take between 1 to 2 weeks.
If quotes are to be obtained and incorporated into the estimation, the time may vary depending on the response time from trades and suppliers.
Ready for an estimation? Feel free to send in your details.