Budget pricing — early stage estimates.
Drawings are still preliminary. They will change three or four times before they are finalised. You need a ballpark hydraulic figure, not a full detailed estimate you will have to reprice every time the design changes.
SNZ always recommends a full detailed estimate before submitting a final tender or signing a contract. Budget pricing is for early stage decision making only.
Drawings that will change multiple times.
A full detailed estimate is expensive to produce, and expensive to reproduce every time the drawings change. If your hydraulic drawings are preliminary and you know they will go through three or four revisions before they are finalised, paying for a full estimate now means paying for it again later.
SNZ budget pricing gives you a reliable ballpark hydraulic figure based on what you have now: enough to make early design decisions, check project feasibility and give your client a cost indication, without committing to the full estimate too early.
When the drawings are finalised and you are ready to submit a proper tender, SNZ will produce the full detailed estimate with a complete line-by-line breakdown, bill of quantities and independent review. That is the number you bid on.
What a budget price is not.
Budget pricing gives you a ballpark figure, a number to work with at an early stage. It is not a detailed estimate. It does not include an itemised breakdown, a bill of quantities or a line-by-line scope review.
SNZ will always be transparent about the limitations of a budget figure. We never recommend signing a contract or submitting a final tender based on a budget price alone.
We never recommend signing a contract or submitting a final tender based on a budget price alone.
When budget pricing is the right call.
Honest about what it is.
Clearly flagged as indicative.
Every budget figure is labelled for what it is, with a recommendation to get a full estimate before you bid or sign.
Based on your actual drawings.
A ballpark from what you have now, not a rate per square metre pulled from a benchmark table.
We will tell you when you need more.
If a budget price is the wrong tool for your situation, we say so rather than sell you one.
What contractors say.
Verified Google reviews. 5.0 from 69 reviews.
We’ve been incredibly impressed with the responsiveness and professionalism of SNZ. Quick to respond, thorough in their work, and consistently reliable. Their attention to detail has made a real difference to our workflow. We see them as a valuable long-term partner.
Worth every penny. SNZ estimated a large commercial hydraulic, civil and fire package in SA on a tight timeline. Within 24 hours they had started on our quote. Their detailed estimate provided everything we needed to fill in the tender documents with ease.
Shoaib and the team went over and above to deliver in a tight timeframe. Everything was detailed and communication was 10/10. The breakdown was very thorough and transparent covering all aspects of the job. Will definitely be using SNZ on future projects.
Common questions.
What is budget pricing?
A ballpark hydraulic figure produced from preliminary drawings, for early design decisions, feasibility checks and giving a client a cost indication before the design is finalised.
What does a budget price not include?
An itemised breakdown, a bill of quantities or a line-by-line scope review. Those come with the full detailed estimate.
Can I tender on a budget price?
We do not recommend it. SNZ always recommends a full detailed estimate before submitting a final tender or signing a contract, and we will say so rather than let a budget figure be used that way.
How long does budget pricing take?
Within 72 hours of receiving your preliminary drawings and a brief description of the project.
Is the figure based on my drawings or a benchmark?
On your actual drawings, at whatever stage they are at, rather than a rate per square metre pulled from a benchmark table.
What happens when the drawings are finalised?
Send them back to us and we produce the full detailed estimate: every line item individually measured, independently reviewed and ready for contract submission.
Explore more.
Need a ballpark figure?
Send us your preliminary drawings and a brief description of the project. We will come back within 72 hours with a ballpark hydraulic figure, clearly flagged as indicative, with a recommendation to get a full estimate before you bid.
Request an estimate