Architects

The Problem: Designs Get Killed by Budget

You’ve spent weeks designing something beautiful - only for the builder to come back and say, “it’s double the budget.” Sound familiar? Without real construction cost input early in the design phase, clients develop unrealistic expectations, and your team ends up value-engineering the life out of the project just to make it buildable.

The Reality: You’re Expected to Know the Numbers

More and more clients expect their architect to guide them on budget, even though you’re not a QS. And while you’ve probably got a rough sense of costs, guessing isn’t good enough - especially when clients are making big decisions based on your advice. But involving a traditional quantity surveyor too early can be overkill, expensive, or just a pain to manage.

The Risk: Redesigns, Delays, and a Frustrated Client

Without proper cost planning during RIBA Stages 0–3, projects spiral. Clients lose confidence. You waste time redrawing. And the builder ends up pricing something no one can afford. It hurts relationships, derails schedules, and can stop great projects from getting built.

The Solution: Cost Planning and Estimating Support for Architects

CORE helps architects across the UK design with budget in mind - not afterthought. We provide:

• Early-stage cost plans for planning and feasibility

• Construction cost estimating that reflects real trade rates

• Advice on scope, sequencing, and value engineering

• Subcontractor-level insight - before the tender goes out

Our service is fast, flexible, and easy to bolt into your design process - no long reports or waffle.

The Result: Confident Clients, Buildable Designs

When architects work with CORE, their designs hit budget more often. Clients trust the process, contractors get clearer scopes, and everyone avoids the post-tender panic. It means fewer redesigns, better working relationships, and a smoother path from idea to site.