Preliminary
Estimate
Elemental costing for concept drawings
What’s included?
Based on your drawings, we calculate cost ranges using
elemental categories such as:
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Construction level and floor area breakdowns (m² GFA estimates)
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Foundations, structure and framing
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Cladding, roofing and exterior finishes
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Driveways, patios and site works
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Engineering and structural components
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Contractor P&Gs, fluctuations and allowances
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Contingencies, GST and total project costing
A Preliminary Estimate gives you a reliable early-stage guide to your construction costs based on concept drawings and your floor plan. Using elemental costing and GFA measurements, we break your project into major building elements and apply realistic rates to each part of the design. This early estimate helps you make informed decisions before moving into detailed plans and is one of the most practical QS services offered by a residential quantity surveyor.
This approach works well when you need clarity early in the process. It allows you to sense-check your design, understand likely cost pressures and avoid progressing too far before discovering the budget needs revisiting. Builders, homeowners and architects can use this as their first step when working with a construction quantity surveyor.
Full House
Estimate
A detailed breakdown of your entire residential build
A Full House Estimate gives you a complete, accurate costing of your residential build based on fully developed drawings and specifications. We’ll measure and price every part of the project, covering materials, labour, subcontractors and site works in detail. The result is a clear, realistic cost breakdown you can use for quoting, budgeting and planning with confidence.
This is the service builders and homeowners rely on when they need more than a ballpark figure. A Full Estimate helps you understand exactly where your money is going, highlights cost drivers, and reduces the risk of budget blowouts during construction. It’s one of the most comprehensive QS services available and is ideal for builders pricing multiple jobs or homeowners wanting transparency before committing.
Each report is extensive, often covering more than 60 categories, with clear line-by-line costing and quantities.
Click here to request a free quote for our Full House Estimate QS Services.
What’s included?
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All measured materials and quantities across the full build
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Labour allowances for carpenters and subcontractor trades
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Foundations, framing, cladding and roofing
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Windows, doors, internal linings and finishes
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Plumbing, electrical and other specialist trades
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Site works, excavation and drainage
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Contractor P&Gs, margins, allowances and contingencies
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GST and complete project totals
You can view a sample Full Building Estimate report here if you’d like to see the layout and level of detail you can expect.
Materials
Estimate
A detailed building materials estimate for your project
A Materials Estimate gives you a clear breakdown of every material required for your project, measured accurately from your drawings. As a quantity surveyor offering specialised QS services, Cube uses professional take-off software to extract the exact quantities needed, helping builders quote confidently and avoid being caught short
once work begins. This building materials estimate is ideal for anyone wanting reliable numbers without a full labour breakdown.
Builders often request this when they want cost clarity for materials only, whether it’s for an entire new build or a single area like a bathroom, extension or renovation. It’s a
practical option for those who prefer to manage labour separately but still need accurate quantities and pricing to prepare quotes or place orders.
Click here to request a free quote for our Materials Estimate QS Services.
What’s included?
Your Materials Estimate may include measured quantities and costing for items such as:
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Timber, framing, trusses and structural components
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Cladding, roofing, soffits and exterior finishes
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Windows, doors, fixings and hardware
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Bricks, blocks, concrete and reinforcing steel
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Linings, insulation and interior finishing materials
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Plumbing and electrical materials where specified
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Spouting, gutters and other exterior accessories
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Any additional materials shown or described in your plans
Labour Estimate
A clear breakdown of the cost of labour required for your build
What’s included?
Your Labour Estimate may include measured hours and allowances for:
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Framing, exterior and interior carpentry
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Roofing support work and cladding preparation
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Installation of windows, doors and internal linings
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Fixing, trims, hardware and finishing carpentry
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Support work for plumbing, electrical and other trades
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Site preparation, general labour tasks and clean-up
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Any additional labour shown or implied in the drawings
You can view a sample Labour Estimate report here if you’d like to see the layout and level of detail you can expect.
A Labour Estimate gives you a detailed view of the time needed to complete your project from a builder’s point of view. As part of our QS services, we measure and outline the hours required for each stage of the build so you know exactly how much labour allowance to include in your pricing. This is a practical option for builders who prefer to manage subcontractor rates themselves but still want a reliable labour-only costing prepared by a construction quantity surveyor.
The report focuses solely on labour only, removing all materials and supply costs. Builders use this when preparing quotes, planning workloads and checking early estimates against the actual time required. It’s also helpful for homeowners wanting a clearer understanding of the labour component in a new build or renovation.
Cube Consulting is a trusted quantity surveyor NZ builders and homeowners rely on for accurate labour costing.
Click here to request a free quote for our Labour Estimate QS Services.
TRADE QUOTES
Contractor Tendering
A complete set of trade quotes gathered and summarised for your build
Our Contractor Quotes service is ideal for homeowners who already have plans in place but need help gathering and comparing the costs for every trade involved in the build. As part of our QS services, we request quotes from the contractors required for your project, collect the pricing and prepare a clear trade summary so you can see the full cost picture before choosing who to work with.
We send your drawings to each relevant trade, source two quotes for every category and provide a recommended option based on price, scope and suitability. This gives you an organised, easy-to-read breakdown without the time- consuming back-and-forth that usually comes with gathering quotes yourself. Once you’ve reviewed and approved the summary, your builder can apply their project management margin and take the lead from there. We can also help you appoint a builder if you haven’t chosen one.
This service is particularly useful for kitset homes, new builds or clients wanting transparency before committing to a contractor.
Click here to request a free quote for our Contracting Tendering QS Services.
What’s included?
Your Contractor Quotes package may include:
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Trade quotes for items such as excavation, foundations, concrete layers, framing, trusses, roofing, cladding, joinery, plumbing, stoppers, painters, tilers and cabinetry
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Two quotes sourced for each trade category
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A recommended contractor for every
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A full trade summary for pricing clarity
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A combined running cost for the overall project
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Handover documentation for your builder to manage the project
You can view a sample Construction Cost Tender report here to see how the information is structured.
MORE SERVICES
Other Quantity
Surveying Work
Extra QS services to support your project from planning to completion
Alongside our core estimating services, we also offer a range of additional QS work to help you plan, budget and manage your project with more clarity. These services are flexible and designed to support builders, architects and homeowners who need targeted help with specific areas of their build. As a quantity surveyor offering practical QS services, we provide clear reporting and straightforward advice so you can make confident decisions at every stage.
Feasibility studies
Feasibility work helps you understand whether your project is financially realistic before you move ahead. We look at the likely construction cost, site requirements, key risks and overall affordability, giving you an early sense of whether your plans fit your budget or need adjusting.
Construction cashflows
A construction cashflow report outlines when your costs are likely to occur throughout the build. We map out the timing of major expenses, contractor payments and material stages so you can plan your funding and avoid unexpected pressure points.
Cost controls and budget reviews
Cost control work focuses on monitoring your project costs as plans develop or as the build progresses. We compare updated drawings, variations and subcontractor prices against earlier estimates to identify increases, savings or potential issues. This helps prevent budget blowouts and gives you a clear picture of where your money is going. Cost reviews can be carried out at any stage, whether pre-build or mid-construction.
General QS support
If you need help interpreting quotes, reviewing contractor pricing, checking quantities or providing advice during design changes, we can support you as needed. These services are tailored to your project and can be used at any point in the design or building process. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting more clarity or a builder needing an independent qty surveyor to cross-check cost assumptions, we’re here to help.
Click here to request a free quote for our Quantity Surveying Services.
“Over the past few years, we have collaborated with Phil at Cube Consulting on the pricing of both our new build and renovation contracts. Phil has demonstrated a deep industry knowledge and a meticulous attention to detail. These qualities are a significant asset, when it comes to understanding the complexities of the building process. We look forward to working together on future projects.”
- Victoria Hughes, Coastal Homes
BENEFITS
Get the Clarity You Need to Plan with Confidence
Whether you’re a builder pricing your next project, an architect needing reliable numbers for a client or a homeowner trying to understand what your plans will actually cost, having a skilled quantity surveyor on board brings clarity and confidence. You get a clear picture of the true costs, fewer surprises along the way, and more time back in your day to focus on the parts of the project that matter most to you.
Start your project with cost confidence
Cube Consulting works hard to get your estimate back fast, so you’re not left waiting weeks and you can keep things moving with your client.
Spot risks early and avoid surprises
Identify cost pressures well before they become problems and prevent the overruns that can derail a project.
Save hours with fast, professional estimating
Receive quick, accurate estimates from an experienced quantity surveyor that free up your time and help you plan, respond, and make decisions without delay.
FAQS
Common
Questions About
Our Services
Here are some of the common questions we get about our reports and QS services. If you’re unsure about anything, feel free to get in touch.
REQUEST A QUOTE
Want Fewer Surprises in Your Build Budget? Start Here
Upload your drawings below along with a short outline of your project and we will reply with a quote. If you’d rather talk it through, give Phil a call on 027 492 6826.