From £75 + VAT
Budget Estimates
Quick, reliable cost guidance from your planning drawings. Know your budget before you commit.
UK-Wide Building Estimating Service
Accurate Building Estimates, Prepared by Qualified Quantity Surveyors
Every estimate we produce is prepared and checked by a qualified QS. Residential and commercial projects across the UK.
Prepared & checked by
a qualified QS
a qualified QS
Editable Excel
& PDF delivery
& PDF delivery
- 5-Star Google Rated
- Estimates From £75
- 5-Day Turnaround
- 100% Deadline Record
What We Do
Our Building Estimating Services
Send us your plans or your architect's tender pack — our qualified Quantity Surveyors do the rest.
From £95 + VAT
Planning Drawing Estimates
Accurate measured estimates from your planning drawings. Reliable costings to support your planning application.
From £150 + VAT
Building Regulation Estimates
Maximum accuracy from your detailed building regulation drawings. The most comprehensive estimates we produce.
From £200 + VAT
Bill of Quantities
Professional measured takeoffs enabling competitive tendering and genuine like-for-like contractor comparison.
From £250 + VAT
Tender Pricing
Professional tender packages prepared and priced by qualified Quantity Surveyors. Win more work with accurate, well-presented submissions.
Fixed-price quote
Cost Planning
Strategic cost management aligned to RIBA design stages. Manage your construction budget with confidence from feasibility to completion.
Fixed-price quote
Commercial Estimating
Professional cost estimates for offices, retail, hospitality, industrial and mixed-use commercial projects across the UK.
From £100 + VAT
Quotation & Tender Review
Independent professional verification of your estimates, quotations and self-priced tenders. Catch errors before they cost you.
Post-contract support
How It Works
4 Simple Steps to Your Estimate
- 1
Send Plans
Send us your drawings and project information
- 2
Receive Quotation
We'll provide a fixed-price quotation
- 3
Make Payment
Pay securely via bank transfer or card
- 4
Receive Estimate
Get your detailed estimate within 5 days
Client Reviews
Stories From Our Customers
★★★★★
For over 12 years they have assisted us with our tenders to help secure large scale projects across the UK. A truly professional and reliable service.
★★★★★
Honest, reliable and cost effective solution to the large amount of build enquiries we receive. Their accurate estimates ensure we win more projects than previously.
★★★★★
We have worked with First4Estimating for over 10 years costing our large scale commercial projects. It's like having a personal estimator at a fraction of the cost.
Who We Work With
Estimates for Every Corner of Construction
Every estimate is prepared and checked by a qualified QS with residential and commercial experience. Whoever you are, you receive the same professional standard of work.
Builders & Contractors
Win more tenders and price projects with confidence using our professional estimating service.
Architects
Provide your clients with accurate cost guidance from design stage through to construction.
Property Developers
Protect your margins and assess project viability with professional estimating services.
Self Builders & Homeowners
Understand your true build costs and plan your budget with confidence from day one.
Specialist Subcontractors
Respond to tenders faster and price packages accurately with our professional estimating support.
Builders Merchants
Add value for your trade customers with professional estimating and material quantification support.
Construction Professionals
Flexible, outsourced QS support to complement your existing team.
Housing Associations & Landlords
Accurate costings for planned maintenance, void turnarounds and refurbishments across your portfolio.
Why Choose Us
The First4Estimating Difference
Qualified Quantity Surveyors
Every estimate prepared by a qualified QS with real-world experience across residential and commercial construction.
Competitive Pricing
Professional QS estimates from just £75. Far more cost-effective than employing a full-time estimator or quantity surveyor.
Personal Service
Dedicated point of contact for every project. Direct access to the surveyor working on your estimate throughout the process.
Comprehensive Estimates
Detailed labour, material and plant breakdowns. Preliminaries, provisional sums and profit margins all included as standard.
Confidential & Secure
All project information treated with the utmost confidentiality. Your data and plans are kept completely secure.
UK-Wide Coverage
Web-based service covering the entire United Kingdom. Accurate regional pricing wherever your project is located.
Free Resources
UK Building Cost Guides & Calculators
Realistic cost ranges from our Quantity Surveyors, plus free calculators for a quick ballpark figure before you send us your plans.
Cost guideHow Much Does It Cost to Build?House extensions, loft conversions, new builds, basements, conversions and commercial fit-outs.
Free toolsConstruction Cost CalculatorsExtension, loft conversion, new build and basement calculators built on current UK rates.
How Much Does a House Extension Cost in 2026?
Comprehensive cost tables for every type of house extension, plus regional pricing variations and expert budgeting advice for 2026.
Loft Conversion Costs: Complete UK Guide
Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard conversions compared with detailed cost tables, planning advice and budgeting tips for 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in the UK?
From land purchase to completion, a detailed breakdown of every cost involved in building your own home in 2026, with regional comparisons.
UK-Wide Coverage
Building Estimators Across the UK
Estimates priced with regional labour and material rates, wherever your project is located.
Fast-Track Available
Join the Plus Club
Discounted estimating on every job, priority turnaround and a direct line to a chartered estimator. From just £99/month with no contracts.
Find Out MoreDiscounted rates on every estimate
Priority turnaround — front of the queue
Direct line to a chartered estimator
Cancel anytime — no contracts
Common Questions
Building Estimate FAQs
What do I need to send you?
To prepare your estimate, we need a set of architectural drawings (plans, elevations and sections) along with any specification notes you have. These can be sent as PDF, DWG or image files via email.
If you only have sketches or preliminary drawings, our qualified Quantity Surveyors can still provide an indicative estimate — just get in touch and we'll advise on the best approach.
How much does an estimate cost?
Our pricing depends on the size and complexity of the project. Budget estimates start from £75 and estimates for small extensions from £95 + VAT. We always provide a fixed-price quotation before starting, so there are no surprises. Visit our pricing page for more details.
How quickly will I receive my estimate?
Standard estimates are delivered within 5 working days of receiving your plans. Need it faster? 24-hour and 48-hour express turnaround is available on request, subject to availability.
How accurate are your estimates?
Our estimates are prepared by qualified Quantity Surveyors using current market rates and established measurement standards. Our estimates consistently fall within 5–10% of the final outturn cost. Clients regularly tell us our figures align closely with the tenders they receive.
Do you cover my area?
Yes. We provide estimating services across the entire United Kingdom. Our rates are adjusted to reflect regional labour and material cost variations, so your estimate will be accurate for your specific location.