Everyone wants to come in under budget.
But no one wants to sacrifice quality to do it.
In today’s market, that’s a real dilemma.
Construction costs are volatile. Builders are going under. Financing is tougher than ever. So how do you keep your project on track and under control?
At Grayspace, we’ve seen too many good projects fall apart because the planning didn’t match the ambition. That’s why we developed a white paper that shows how to de-risk your build and avoid the dreaded budget blowout—with real case studies to back it up.
Here are our top lessons from the field:
🔹 Take a systemic approach
A budget isn’t just numbers. It needs clear goals, objectives, and criteria to define value—not just cost.
🔹 Use options analysis
Explore cost-saving strategies across the entire project lifecycle. The right trade-off can save thousands without losing quality.
🔹 Engineer smarter
Big-ticket items like plant, steel, and concrete should be optimised early. Get your design and engineering teams aligned from day one.
🔹 Start with a baseline
Before you negotiate, know your base case. It’s your anchor when assessing tenders or change requests.
🔹 Negotiate hard—and fair
Dive deep into every bid. Where are the risks? Where are the weak points? Measure each offer against your project goals and value criteria.
🔹 Understand the builder’s critical path
Find their pressure points. Often, small changes to the schedule or program can deliver wins for both parties.
The best projects don’t just survive—they adapt.
And the ones that adapt with structure, clarity and a bit of tough love? They win.
🔍 Want to read the full white paper? Or share your own budgeting challenges?
So… are you paying for the build—or the mistakes?
What part of your dental clinic build are you most worried about—cost, time, or council approvals?
👉 Download our FREE Cost Calculator Guide.
Let’s discuss—what’s your top tip for keeping a project on budget? 👇
