Pricing

What pushes a fee to the top of the range

Two projects of the same construction value can differ by a thousand dollars in measurement effort. These are the things that actually drive it:

• Drawing completeness. A full CC set with specifications and schedules measures faster and more accurately than four architectural sheets and a phone call. Incomplete documents mean more assumptions, more RFIs, and more time.
• Repetition. Twelve identical townhouses take far less than twelve different ones. Repetition is the single biggest discount in measurement.
• Structural complexity. Transfer slabs, basements, retaining, steel-heavy structures and difficult site levels all add measurement time.
• Finishes variety. A schedule with six floor finishes and four tile types costs more to measure than one with two of each.
• Services scope. Whether hydraulic, mechanical and electrical are included, and whether drawings for them exist.
• Turnaround. Standard is five business days and is priced as standard. Compressed timeframes are quoted separately and honestly.

What doesn't change the price

• Where you are. Delivery is fully remote, so a Perth job costs the same as a Sydney one.
• How many questions you ask. Talking through the bill after delivery is part of the job, not billable time.
• Small clarifications. If we misread a drawing, fixing it is on us.

How payment works

You get a written fixed-fee quote with a scope statement and a delivery date. Accept it by email and work begins. The invoice issues on delivery with 7-day terms. For a first job with a new client, that is the whole arrangement — no deposit, no retainer, no lock-in.

Pricing questions

How much does a Bill of Quantities cost?

A full BOQ for residential or light commercial work runs from $1,800 ex GST. A trade breakdown starts at $900 ex GST. Every job is quoted as a fixed fee before any work begins, so the number you accept is the number you pay.

Are you cheaper than hiring an estimator?

A full-time estimator in Australia costs well over $120,000 a year once on-costs are included, before software. Structmate is engaged job by job, so you carry the cost only on tenders you actually price.

How quickly can I get a Bill of Quantities?

Standard turnaround is five business days from the point you accept the fee. Drawings that arrive Monday are typically back with you by Friday. If your tender closes sooner, say so when you enquire — shorter turnarounds are sometimes possible and are quoted separately.

What format do I get the BOQ in?

Excel and PDF. The Excel version is structured so you can drop your own rates in, send trade sections to subcontractors, and roll totals up without rebuilding anything.