FREE ONE-PAGE PLANNING TOOL
Renovation Budget Reality Check
Can your budget survive the renovation – not just the estimate?
Project: ____________________ Date: __________ My maximum budget: ____________________
Your budget should include the project you expect – and enough room for the project you don’t.
1. What have I actually budgeted for?
Labour / contractor ______________________________ □ Confirmed
Materials & finishes _____________________________ □ Confirmed
Fixtures & appliances ___________________________ □ Confirmed
Demolition & disposal ___________________________ □ Confirmed
Deliveries / transport ____________________________ □ Confirmed
Permits / professional fees _______________________ □ Confirmed
Storage / temporary living _______________________ □ Confirmed
Cleaning / final repairs / other __________________ □ Confirmed
Current estimated total: __________________________________________
2. What could still change?
Mark anything that is still uncertain:
□ Contractor price
□ Material prices
□ Allowances
□ Quantities
□ Design choices
□ Hidden work
□ Delivery costs
□ Timeline
Biggest unknown right now:
________________________________
3. What is missing from the quote?
□ What is specifically excluded?
□ Are materials included?
□ Are disposal & cleanup included?
□ Which items are allowances?
□ Who pays for delivery?
□ What happens if hidden problems are found?
□ How are changes priced?
Amount not clearly covered:
________________________________
4. My buffer
If something unexpected happens, how much can this project absorb without putting me under financial pressure?
My renovation buffer: ____________________ Budget + buffer: ____________________
Still below my absolute maximum? □ Yes □ No
REALITY CHECK
If your renovation budget only works when every estimate is correct, nothing changes and no surprises appear, the budget is probably too tight.
A realistic budget leaves room for uncertainty before the work begins.
Before I start
□ I know what my contractor quote does not include.
□ I know which numbers are estimates rather than confirmed costs.
□ I have room in the budget for some things not going according to plan.
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