Separate the land from the construction budget
When you compare possible plots, keep acquisition expenses separate from the proposed building works. A lower land price can be accompanied by more complex access, ground preparation or servicing. The right comparison is the cost of achieving your intended home on each site.
At an early stage, mark every budget line as confirmed, estimated or still unknown. This helps you see what needs investigation rather than treating an initial total as a firm offer.
The main budget headings
| Budget heading | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Land and acquisition | Purchase costs and professional advice associated with acquiring the plot. |
| Design and technical work | Surveys, architectural and engineering work, reports and site oversight. |
| Site preparation | Demolition where applicable, excavation, retaining structures and access arrangements. |
| House construction | Structure, envelope, installations, fixtures and the agreed finish schedule. |
| External spaces | Pool, terraces, boundary treatments, planting, lighting and drainage. |
| Connections and municipal items | Service connections, applicable charges and the project’s administrative costs. |
| Contingency and owner purchases | A risk allowance, furniture, appliances or other items outside the contract. |
Why a single price per square metre is incomplete
An area rate can be a useful comparison tool only when you know what area is being measured and what the rate covers. Ask whether the calculation refers to enclosed space, built area, terraces or another measure. Then check which works sit outside it.
A compact building on a demanding site and a larger building on a straightforward site can have very different cost structures. Glazing, structural spans, equipment, bathrooms, joinery and external works can also change the specification without changing the headline floor area.
Bring the site information and a defined scope so the team can discuss current pricing and explain the assumptions behind an estimate.
Make quotations comparable
Give each contractor the same project information. Request a clear list of included works, exclusions, allowances and assumptions. Where a product has not been selected, ask how its allowance will be reconciled with the final choice.
- Are taxes shown separately and is their treatment clear?
- Does the offer include excavation and disposal on the stated assumptions?
- Are kitchen equipment, wardrobes and decorative lighting included?
- Which pool and landscaping works are actually priced?
- What is the payment schedule and how are milestones documented?
- How will changes be quoted and approved before execution?
Keep the budget useful as decisions change
Maintain a simple change register with the requested item, agreed cost, effect on the programme and approval date. Update the forecast total when selections are made. A contingency should remain visible as a reserve for uncertainty rather than being quietly absorbed into upgrades.
For an initial discussion, provide the plot location, approximate house size, design stage and the outdoor features you want. Ask the First Estate team to discuss your Calpe project and identify which information is needed for the next estimate.