Look at the whole project, not just the new rooms.
The most useful starting budget describes what you want to achieve and what the existing house may need along the way. A larger upper floor is one part of the brief. The stair opening, roof changes, work downstairs and access arrangements are other questions to resolve.
We do not publish a standard price for an unseen home. Without a defined design and an assessment of the existing structure, a headline price can leave too many important items out. Ask the building professional to explain the assumptions behind any early estimate and what is still to be investigated.
The questions behind a meaningful quote.
What is included in the new level?
Record the rooms, approximate size, wet areas, storage, glazing and any balcony. Separate essentials from features you could remove if the budget needs adjusting.
What changes below it?
Ask about the stair location, possible structural work, affected ceilings, services and the rooms below. Make good work downstairs should be described, not assumed.
How will the site operate?
Ask how access, material deliveries, scaffolding, temporary protection and household arrangements will be handled. The build plan should relate to your actual property.
Who pays for the professional work?
Confirm which design, engineering, survey, certification and application services are included in the builder's scope and which require separate agreements.
Your budget organiser.
Add figures you already have from your own quotes and planning. This tool simply adds your entries. It does not estimate construction costs or confirm that a project is affordable.
Use GST inclusive amounts consistently and avoid counting an item twice. No figures are submitted or saved by this tool.
Compare the same brief, not just the bottom line.
Provide each professional with the same drawings and written scope. Ask them to identify exclusions, provisional sums, allowances, tax treatment and how changes will be priced. If an item has not been selected or assessed, ask how the allowance could change.
Agree how variations are approved and recorded. Keep copies of the plans, the scope and the quote version so that everybody is discussing the same project. Get independent advice on contract terms before signing.
Official resource: QBCC guidance for building and renovating.
Not sure what budget to select?
Select Not sure yet on the enquiry form and explain the result you are hoping for. We can discuss your brief and a potential introduction, but only the relevant professionals can assess the home and price a defined scope.
The form budget bands are a way to qualify an enquiry. They are not advertised building packages, current market averages or a promise that your preferred scope can be delivered for that amount.
Discuss your project budget