How to Achieve the Most Price Certainty in Your HebHomes Build

When embarking on a self-build journey, one of the greatest challenges is ensuring that your project stays on budget. At HebHomes, we’ve developed systems to help our clients achieve as much price certainty as possible, avoiding many of the financial pitfalls associated with bespoke architectural designs. Here’s how we help you control costs and keep your project on track, all while delivering a stunning, energy-efficient home.

1. Start with HebHomes’ Estimate of Costs (EoC)

The first step to achieving price certainty is making use of the Estimate of Costs (EoC) provided by HebHomes for each of our designs. This document, prepared by a professional Quantity Surveyor (QS), offers a detailed breakdown of expected costs based on historical data from previous builds. These Excel spreadsheets can be accessed through our Members Area. 

However, while the EoC gives a solid starting point, it is important to recognise that these costs are estimates based on average rates in mainland Scotland. Costs will vary depending on the location of your build. Areas such as the far North of Scotland, remote islands, or hotspots in the South-East of England tend to be more expensive due to higher trade rates and increased logistics costs. Labour availability, material transport, and logistics can all influence your final build costs.

2. Engage HebHomes’ Planning and Warrant Service

One of the most effective ways to mitigate cost surprises is by using HebHomes' Planning and Warrant Service. This service streamlines the process by organising the topographical surveys, ground investigations, drainage designs, and other essential studies that provide an early indication of site-specific challenges. This service is only available in Scotland.  We advise that you follow the schedule of services if working with your own consultants to best identify site specific costs.

Site conditions such as ground quality (peat, clay, or rock), the slope of the land, and the need for access roads can all significantly impact your foundation and other infrastructure costs. By investigating these factors early, your budget can account for all potential issues, reducing the likelihood of unexpected expenses later on.

3. Limit Design Changes

Design alterations, even minor ones, can have a significant impact on costs. HebHomes’ kits are carefully designed for maximum efficiency and architectural balance. Changing window placements, extending rooms, or modifying layouts can lead to additional engineering work, extended timelines, and increased costs.

While HebHomes allows flexibility for practical adjustments, such as flipping or mirroring designs, it’s important to finalise your choices as early as possible. Every change has potential consequences for the structure and cost of the project, so limiting modifications is crucial for maintaining price certainty.

4. Appoint a Quantity Surveyor (QS) Early

To get a more accurate understanding of your build costs, we strongly recommend appointing a QS early in the process. A QS will update the EoC based on your specific site conditions and design changes, providing a more tailored Order of Costs that reflects your location, site topography, and final design.

This updated Order of Costs will give you the confidence to make the right decision.  If the price is too high then you have several options: increase your budget; reduce specification; change the design; sell the site.  The main thing is that you are clear about site and location specific development costs before signing the contract to supply and erect the kit from Hebhomes.

If everything is in order, the project moves forward to detailed design and technical stage.  Client choice items can influence the final cost but Hebhomes can keep this in line with cost expectations.  If you're not putting the project out for competitive tender, as is the case with a turnkey contractor, the QS can verify that the prices you receive are reasonable. They can also act as your Contract Administrator, arranging the signing of the Minor Works contract between you and the main contractor.  This is a fixed price contract so will only vary if you make changes or there are excluded items.  The general rule is: don’t make changes to the design when it is on site. 

5. Account for Preliminaries (Prelims)

One often-overlooked aspect of budgeting is preliminaries, or prelims. Prelims cover the on-site costs that aren't directly tied to materials or labour, such as site setup, temporary works, welfare facilities for workers, insurances, travel and subsistence, accommodation and equipment hire. Although Hebhomes allow for prelims in our Estimate of Cost spreadsheets, they can still potentially add a significant amount to your budget.  Prelims tend to vary based on the complexity of your site and the contractor’s logistics.    

For instance, a remote location or a difficult-to-access plot may require longer setup times, additional equipment like cranes, or temporary access roads, all of which will increase your prelim costs. Including these early in your financial planning helps avoid nasty surprises down the line.  Likewise a larger contractor with head office expenses will tend to have larger prelims. This is why a QS is so crucial to estimate this early on. 

6. Understand Regional Cost Differences

Building costs can vary dramatically across different regions of the UK. Labour costs, material availability, and contractor rates all fluctuate based on location. For example, areas in the far North of Scotland or remote islands tend to have higher construction costs due to the scarcity of contractors and the need to transport materials and labour over long distances. Similarly, building in South-East England can also be expensive because of high demand for tradespeople and inflated wages.

This is why HebHomes always advises clients to involve a QS who can localise the estimate, taking these regional cost variations into account to give you a clearer idea of the total project cost.

7. Manage Inflation and Market Changes

While HebHomes strives to offer as much price clarity as possible, it’s important to recognise that price certainty can never be absolute. One of the biggest factors beyond our control is inflation, which can drive up material and labour costs during the time between your deposit and the final construction.

That said, by locking in your design choices early and pushing through planning and building warrant approvals swiftly, you can minimise the risks associated with inflation. Delays in decision-making or in the approval process can expose your project to rising costs, especially for materials like timber and steel, which fluctuate in price.

Conclusion: Balancing Flexibility with Financial Control

Achieving price certainty in a self-build project is challenging but not impossible. At HebHomes, we provide the tools, guidance, and expertise to help you manage costs while delivering a home designed for efficiency and style. By using our Estimate of Costs, engaging the Planning and Warrant Service, appointing a Quantity Surveyor, and being mindful of design changes, prelims, and regional cost differences, you can take control of your budget from the start. Beware of companies that claim they can offer complete price certainty from the beginning. It is not true! 

Building a HebHome isn’t just about creating a beautiful space—it’s about ensuring that the journey to your dream home is as predictable and stress-free as possible.