Construction estimating services for residential and commercial projects

Quantity Surveying and Cost Control

Construction estimating services for residential and commercial projects

An accurate construction estimate at the early stages of a project allows clients to assess feasibility, set a realistic budget and make informed decisions before committing to design fees or planning applications. LateShield prepares preliminary cost estimates and feasibility budgets for residential and commercial projects from outline drawings, specifications or project briefs.

What we cover

Work covered

LateShield coordinates the required specialists and manages the process from initial review through to practical completion. The work covered on this service includes:

Discuss your project
  • Preliminary cost estimates from outline drawings
  • Feasibility budgets from project briefs
  • Order-of-cost assessments
  • Elemental cost breakdowns
  • Trade-by-trade cost estimates
  • Contingency and risk allowance assessment
  • Professional fees and statutory costs guidance
  • Cost comparison of design options
  • Budget updates following design development
  • Residential and commercial projects
  • UK-wide remote service

Who this is for

Is this service right for you?

  • Clients at the early stages of a project who need a realistic budget before committing to design fees
  • Homeowners assessing the feasibility of an extension or renovation
  • Developers assessing the viability of a new build or conversion project
  • Anyone who needs an independent cost assessment before appointing a contractor

What you receive

Your deliverables

  • Preliminary cost estimate or feasibility budget
  • Elemental cost breakdown
  • Contingency and risk allowance assessment
  • Professional fees and statutory costs guidance
  • Budget update following design development

Process

How it works

01

Initial enquiry

Contact LateShield with your project details and the drawings or brief available. We will confirm the scope and timescale for the estimate.

02

Information review

We review the available information and identify any gaps that may affect the accuracy of the estimate.

03

Cost estimate

We prepare a preliminary cost estimate or feasibility budget with an elemental breakdown and contingency assessment.

04

Review and discussion

We review the estimate with the client and discuss the key cost drivers and any options for reducing costs.

05

Budget update

As the design develops, we update the cost estimate to reflect the evolving scope and specification.

Getting started

What to send us

Send us whatever you have. You do not need everything — share what is available and we will work with it.

Outline drawings or sketches
Project brief or description of the proposed works
Any existing cost information or contractor quotes
Specification notes if available
Budget range if known

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

If you have a question not covered here, contact us directly and we will be happy to help.

Ask a question

The accuracy of a preliminary cost estimate depends on the level of detail in the drawings and specification. An estimate from outline drawings might have an accuracy range of plus or minus 20 to 30 percent. As the design develops and more detail is available, the accuracy improves. LateShield will advise on the expected accuracy range for each estimate.

An elemental cost breakdown divides the total project cost into the main elements of the building — substructure, superstructure, internal finishes, services, external works and so on. It allows the client to understand where the costs lie and to compare the cost of different design options.

Yes. LateShield can prepare a preliminary cost estimate from a sketch or outline brief. The estimate will be less accurate than one prepared from detailed drawings, but it provides a useful indication of the likely cost range at the early stages of a project.

Yes. Construction estimating services are prepared remotely and are available for residential and commercial projects throughout the UK.

A cost estimate is a preliminary assessment of the likely cost of a project, prepared from outline drawings or a brief. A bill of quantities is a detailed measurement of the work items from construction drawings, used for contractor tendering. LateShield provides both services.

Coverage

Service area

Construction estimating services are prepared remotely and are available for residential and commercial projects throughout the UK.

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Ready to discuss your project?

Describe your situation and LateShield will advise on the most appropriate support. There is no obligation.