The simple, seven-step way to run your build budget.
This is what we worked out managing our own build. Each step starts with a simple question and the tool helps answer it.
Seven steps, in order.
Step 1: Estimate
What should this build cost?
Enter floor area, quality level and region. Compare your own rate with a typical range.
You end up with: A starting total you can adjust.
Step 2: Stages
Where will the money go?
Your total splits into standard build stages. Edit any percentage, lock or float the total.
You end up with: A budget by stage and line.
Step 3: Quotes
What have we been quoted?
Add quotes, compare them side by side and accept one.
You end up with: Your budget updates to the accepted price.
Step 4: Payments
What have we committed to and paid?
Record what you have committed to and what you have paid.
You end up with: Spent, remaining and projected, live.
Step 5: Reconcile
Does it all add up?
Check payments against invoices and quotes.
You end up with: One set of numbers you trust.
Step 6: VAT
What can we reclaim on a new build or renovation?
Record VAT on each invoice as you go.
You end up with: A claim-ready pack of records for your VAT reclaim.
Step 7: Completion
Where did we end up?
Look back over the whole build.
You end up with: Budget against actual, line by line. Export and download everything with one click.
Struggling with this is not a flaw.
Nobody teaches first-time self builders how to manage a build budget. We had to work it out ourselves. Self Build Budget is the method we wish we had been given and the system we use to manage our own self build project.