This guide is not a price list. It gives no rate per square metre or total cost without current, verified quotations and defined scope. A useful budget places site works and services alongside the building itself. The lowest starting figure is not necessarily the lowest overall cost unless the included work is comparable.
Area and geometry
Separate usable internal space, gross area, verandas and other outdoor areas. Storeys, envelope area, roof form and openings can require different amounts of work for the same total floor area. Bathroom, kitchen and storage requirements are not described by area alone. Ask which plan and area definition a quotation uses; a rate based on another layout should not be applied directly to yours.
Materials, insulation and interior scope
Compare the structure, cladding, roof, windows and insulation separately. Similar facades do not establish identical layers or products. Define flooring, paint, doors, kitchen, bathroom equipment, heating/cooling and electrical fittings. Furniture and accessories shown in an image may not be included. Agree how proposed substitutions, equivalence and cost effects will be approved.
Separate your budget into clear scopes
| Item | Scope to clarify |
|---|---|
| Building and interior | Plan, material schedule, equipment and finishes |
| Foundations and site | Investigations, levels, foundations, drainage and external work |
| Transport and assembly | Route, loading, lifting, team and waiting |
| Utilities and services | Connections, design and permission-related services |
Transport, assembly and site boundaries
Distance is not the only logistics variable. Vehicle access, load type, route restrictions, storage and lifting needs also matter. Establish who quotes for foundations, drainage and connections. Agree how waiting or redelivery will be treated if the site is not ready. Do not assume landscaping, retaining structures, fencing or parking are included in the building price.
Compare the same scope at the same time
Read the quotation date, validity period, payment stages, tax treatment and any adjustment conditions. Missing items are not free; obtain separate quotations from the responsible suppliers. Allowing for unresolved work can be useful, but there is no universal contingency percentage. Establish a written process so changes are not implemented before their cost and programme effects are accepted.
Quotation comparison checklist
- The same plan and area definition are used.
- Materials and equipment can be compared.
- Inclusions, exclusions and responsibilities are written down.
- Transport, lifting and site conditions have been reviewed.
- Connections and design services are identified separately.
- Validity, tax, payment and change conditions are clear.
- Handover, maintenance and warranty terms have been reviewed.
SOURCES & SCOPE
The basis and limits of this guidance.
The following sources support the topics noted. This text is not a product specification, quotation, engineering approval or legal opinion. Permissions, current technical requirements and construction details require project-specific confirmation.
- Ministry — e-Plan planning information (new tab)
Scope of access to planning and permit data; not a substitute for confirmation from the local authority.
- Ministry — announcement on TS 825 implementation (new tab)
Announcement of 1 April 2025 concerning insulation projects and reporting; this guide does not prescribe numerical design values.
Bring the guidance to your project.
Bring your site information, requirements and unresolved questions to your first discussion.
Discuss your scope with MEVA