We get asked weekly: "Can you send me your price list?" or "How much per square foot for a rebuild?" The answer is always the same — we don't have one, and any builder who does is cutting corners you'll pay for later.

After 15 years building landed homes, we've learned that meaningful quotes require seeing your property, understanding your soil, checking your existing structure, and knowing exactly what approvals you need. Everything else is guesswork that becomes your problem when reality hits.

What Makes Every Landed Project Different

Your neighbour's rebuild cost tells you almost nothing about yours. We've quoted two identical-looking terraces on the same street with 40% price differences because one needed micro-piling and the other had perfect soil. One had asbestos roofing that required certified removal. The other had load-bearing walls the owner didn't know about.

Soil conditions alone can swing costs dramatically. Clay soil might need deeper foundations. Sandy soil often requires different pile specifications. Filled ground — common in older estates — needs investigation before we know if your existing foundations can support an additional storey.

Then there's your existing structure. We've opened walls expecting timber frames and found steel. We've found illegal previous additions that need rectification before BCA will approve new works. Sometimes the electrical mains feed needs upgrading for modern loads, sometimes it doesn't. These aren't extras — they're realities that proper assessment catches early.

Regulatory Requirements Aren't Standard

URA setback requirements vary by property. Conservation area rules differ from standard landed zones. Some properties can build right to the boundary, others can't. Plot ratio calculations depend on your specific site area and zoning.

We handle all URA and BCA submissions as part of our service, but approval timelines and requirements affect project costs and scheduling. A straightforward A&A might get approved in 6 weeks. A more complex rebuild could take 12 weeks if structural drawings need revision.

Fire safety requirements change with building height and use. Emergency vehicle access matters for some plots, not others. These aren't finishing touches — they're structural and planning decisions that affect your build from foundation level up.

Why Site Assessment Comes First

We visit every potential project before quoting because buildings don't lie — but assumptions do. Site access affects material delivery costs. Narrow lanes mean smaller concrete trucks and higher concrete costs. Shared driveways need neighbour coordination. Some sites need crane access agreements with multiple parties.

Existing services — water, gas, electrical, internet — all affect build sequences and costs. We've found water mains running under proposed extensions. We've discovered that moving the electrical meter requires SP Group approvals that add weeks to timelines.

Heritage wiring, old switchgear, outdated plumbing — these are realities we document during assessment, not surprises we bill for later.

The Risk of Generic Pricing

Builders who quote sight-unseen either charge enormous contingencies to cover unknowns, or they hit you with variation orders when reality differs from assumptions. Both approaches cost you more than honest assessment upfront.

We've seen homeowners choose low initial quotes that doubled during construction because the original quote ignored soil conditions, regulatory requirements, and existing structure realities. The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest project.

Our approach costs more time upfront — site visits, soil investigation, structural assessment, proper drawings for accurate quantities. But it means your quote reflects your actual project, not a generic estimate that changes when work starts.

What Goes Into Our Quotes

Every quote includes site investigation results, specific soil conditions, existing structure assessment, and detailed scope definition. We specify materials, methods, timeline, and exactly what approvals we'll handle.

We break down structural works separately from architectural works because they have different risk profiles and skill requirements. Piling, steel fabrication, and load-bearing modifications are engineering-intensive. Wall finishes and fitted wardrobes are different trades entirely.

For finishing works that aren't structural, we refer clients to our sister company Larry Contractors — they're HDB-licensed renovators with different expertise and pricing structures for non-structural scopes.

How much does a typical A&A cost?

There's no typical A&A because every property has different structural conditions, regulatory requirements, and scope. We've done single-storey extensions from $80K and full rebuilds over $800K. The difference isn't just size — it's soil, access, existing structure, and complexity.

Why don't you quote per square foot like other builders?

Because square feet don't account for soil conditions, structural complexity, site access, or regulatory requirements. A ground-floor extension on good soil costs differently from a second-storey addition requiring structural steel. Per-square-foot pricing hides these realities until variation orders start.

How long does your assessment take?

Site assessment takes 2-3 hours depending on property size and complexity. Soil investigation adds another day if required. Drawing preparation and detailed quoting typically takes 1-2 weeks after site visit. We'd rather spend time getting it right than surprise you later.

Do you charge for site assessment?

We charge a nominal assessment fee that's credited against your project cost if you proceed. This covers our time, soil investigation if needed, and ensures we're quoting serious enquiries rather than price shopping exercises.

What if I just want a ballpark figure?

Ballpark figures become expectations that cause problems when real costs emerge. We prefer honest conversations about budget early, followed by proper assessment to see if your project fits your budget. If numbers don't work, better to know before you commit.

If you're planning landed building works, we're happy to assess your project properly and quote based on reality rather than assumptions. The conversation starts with understanding what you actually need and what your property can support.

WhatsApp us to discuss your project requirements.