Passed RICS final examination 1993.
Freelance quantity surveying/estimating service to small building contractors. Fundementally taking planning and building warrant drawings to produce
detailed tenders to protect both the builder and the home owner from any unexpected costs. Eveyone involved knows what is included in contract sum. This approach reduces potential friction between the builder and homeowner.
Pre Plan.it is a service for homeowners who would like to know if they undertake work to their home, how much this would cost. I produce detailed report’s for client’s.This can be completed before drawing’s have been produced.
Worked as a joint Managing director in a graphics and print business. I purchased land and built a new 8000 sq/ft production facility.
Personally I bought Land and conducted refurbishment / development projects throughout Scotland.
Working on large scale housing projects.
Apprentice Quantity surveyor attending Glasgow building college studying for RICS qualifications.
Lead surveyor on sites in Glasgow’s Merchant city.
Got questions about getting your home renovation budget right? You’re in the right place! We’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about pre-costing and how Pre Plan It empowers you to plan smarter, save money, and build with confidence. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Pre-costing is the crucial process of accurately estimating all the likely expenses of your home refurbishment before any work begins or significant design fees are incurred. It’s important because it provides complete financial clarity, helps you determine if your project is financially viable, secures funding more easily, and identifies potential high-cost areas early, significantly reducing the risk of unexpected expenses, budget overruns, and frustrating delays down the line. It ensures your vision aligns with your budget from day one.
Unlike generic online “per m²” rates, which are often highly inaccurate and can lead to significant over or underestimations, Pre Plan It utilises detailed, up-to-date local building rates specific to Scotland. We conduct an initial site assessment and create a granular work breakdown, providing a realistic and precise cost report. A builder’s initial quote often comes later in the process, after you’ve already invested in architectural plans; our service gives you financial clarity before those commitments, empowering you to make informed decisions and potentially save substantial sums on design fees for unfeasible projects.
Absolutely. Pre Plan It is designed to save you money in several ways. By providing accurate cost estimates upfront, you avoid:
You should contact Pre Plan It as early as possible in your planning process, ideally before you engage an architect, engineer, or apply for planning permission or building warrants. Our service is specifically designed to give you a clear financial picture before you commit to these often-expensive upfront steps. This allows you to define your project scope realistically, ensuring your design aspirations align with your budget.
To generate the most accurate report, we typically begin with an initial site assessment (walkthrough) of your property. During this assessment, we’ll discuss your goals and the extent of the refurbishment you envision. While you don’t need detailed architectural drawings at this stage, any ideas, sketches, or a clear understanding of what you want to achieve will be helpful in defining the scope for your personalised cost estimate.
While we are based in St Andrews, Fife, Pre Plan It proudly offers our pre-costing consultancy services to homeowners and property developers all across Scotland. Our expertise in local building rates and our comprehensive assessment process enable us to provide accurate and valuable insights for projects no matter where you are located within the country.
A survey conducted by KPMG found 69% of construction projects were over budget by more than 10%
Conduct a walkthrough to evaluate the existing condition of the property. This may include plumbing, electrical systems, structural integrity, and potential hazards like damp or asbestos.
Divide the project into specific areas and cost these to allow you to decide what you want to include or remove form your scheme..
Clearly define the goals and extent of the refurbishment—whether it’s cosmetic changes like painting and flooring or structural work such as wall removal or extension.
We utilise local building rates to build a realistic cost report for your project We Don’t use per m2 rates. The internet is full of average per m2 rates, as professional estimators we rarely see these as being accurate and can both overestimate and underestimate costs.
Home improvements shouldn’t be a headache. I have been involved in too many projects where clients vastly overspend their budget, not finding out until it is too late.
At Pre Plan It we offer sensible advice to our clients to maximise their budget while achieving the vision for their home and avoiding overspending.
Director
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