Building cost estimates,
made easy.
New Homes
Alterations and Additions
Commercial Projects
Available Australia Wide
About Smart Architectural Estimates
Smart Architectural Estimates was established in 2015, drawing on over 30 years of building experience. SmartAE provides construction cost estimating services to architects and building professionals across Australia, helping clients measure and record project quantities and costs. With deep experience across both commercial and domestic building, and a strong focus on detail and cost control, SmartAE is often brought into a project's design phase to advise on both budget and build-ability.
Preliminary Estimates
Used to test project feasibility early on. Often the estimate a builder gives an architect at design-development stage, to reassure the architect's client that design is tracking to budget. Available for Builders and Architects, covering New Builds, Additions, Alterations, Renovations and Commercial projects. Each estimate is individually measured using averaged industry rates (with some sub-category breakdowns). Essentially an expanded sqm-rate estimate adjusted for building style and quality. Being elemental, Preliminary Estimates don't specify features, finishes or fixtures, and represent a cost the project could be built for, not a guaranteed final figure.
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES PRICING
Main Residence Up to three storey (450sqm maximum), inclusive of garage area.
Rate includes external structures such as alfrescos, decks, pergolas, etc. $ 500 each
Additional Residences Subsequent townhouses and apartments, secondary dwellings,
granny flats, guest houses, pool houses, etc. $ 200 each
Detailed Design Highly detailed architectural design and construction drawings. Assessed Fee
Specified Items Significant specified items, exceptional features, etc., requiring rate research. $ 20 each
Staging and Sections Allowance to divide the project into stages, or individual cost sections,
other than as per our standard template and sample. $ 100 each
Landscaping Retaining walls, planter boxes, roof gardens, plants, trees, garden beds,
lawns and edging. Assessed Fee
Pools and Ponds Including all pumps, filters, service connections and compliant fencing. $ 100 each
TO PLACE AN ORDER
Send us your drawings and project details
and we will send you a tailored fee proposal and a sample estimate.
Delivery of your estimate is normally within 7 working days of receipt of the fees.
Architectural Estimates
Prepared from design-development drawings (plan views and elevations required), fully measured, providing material, fitting and fixture quantities, this estimate style allows your clients to adjust their design to suit budget before committing further. Architectural Estimates use industry-average and builder-client rates rather than individual subcontractor quotes.
PC items and finishes are estimated at quality level rather than specific product/model pricing. Many components are priced as composites (e.g. footings priced as a lineal-metre rate covering excavation, reinforcement, concrete and labour) rather than split into materials and labour. Because the supplied documentation is usually insufficient to actually build from, this estimate is a budget guide only — quantities and rates may change once full tender documentation is complete.
This type of estimate may be supplied by our estimating partner, Smart Building Estimates.
ARCHITECTURAL ESTIMATES PRICING
Architectural Estimate fees are based on complexity, not area. These prices are a guide to the possible range of costs.
Designer Homes $ 3.50 - $ 10.00 sqm
Designer Alterations and Additions $ 4.00 - $ 12.00 sqm
Architectural Homes $ 5.50 - $ 16.00 sqm
Architectural Alterations and Additions $ 6.50 - $ 21.00 sqm
Designer Townhouses, Units and Apartments $ 3.00 - $ 9.00 sqm
Architectural Townhouses, Units and Apartments $ 4.50 - $ 12.00 sqm
TO PLACE AN ORDER
Send us your drawings and project details
and we will send you a tailored fee proposal and a sample estimate.
Delivery of your estimate is normally within 15 working days of receipt of the fees.
Tender Estimates
Tender Estimates involve a full quantity take-off, with a comprehensive trade-by-trade cost breakdown in BOQ style, based on a review of drawings, engineering and specifications. Pricing uses averaged data for the client's location, with the option to substitute the client's own trade quotations or rates — typically actioned as a revision after initial delivery, at no extra charge. In-house labour is priced the same way a subcontractor would be, so labour allowances are clearly visible.
PC items can be standard allowances or client-supplied quoted prices.
This type of estimate may be supplied by our estimating partner, Smart Building Estimates.
TENDER ESTIMATES PRICING
Tender Estimate fees are based on complexity, not area. These prices are a guide to the possible range of costs.
Designer Homes $ 4.20 - $ 12.00 sqm
Designer Alterations and Additions $ 4.80 - $ 14.40 sqm
Architectural Homes $ 6.60 - $ 19.20 sqm
Architectural Alterations and Additions $ 7.80 - $ 25.20 sqm
Designer Townhouses, Units and Apartments $ 3.60 - $ 10.80 sqm
Architectural Townhouses, Units and Apartments $ 5.40 - $ 14.40 sqm
TO PLACE AN ORDER
Send us your drawings and project details
and we will send you a tailored fee proposal and a sample estimate.
Delivery of your estimate is normally within 15 working days of receipt of the fees.
Ordering an Estimate
Fee Proposals:
Written fee proposals are provided for all projects. To order an estimate, clients need to email acceptance of the offer.
Once confirmed, an invoice will be provided. The estimate will be commenced once the invoice has been paid .
Delivery:
Completion of a Preliminary Estimate typically takes 7 working days from receipt of the payment.
Architectural Estimates, and Tender Estimates, may take up to 15 working days from receipt of the deposit.
Contact details:
Please include your client's name, the site address, your name, your business name and your phone number for inclusion in your job file. Also please advise us of who we should address the job invoice to.
Get Started Today
Please email us if you need more information or a sample estimate.
Email your drawings and specifications to us to receive a written fee proposal within two working days.
0449 676 278
61 773 543 619
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Estimates available Australia wide.