The Hidden Costs of Choosing the Cheapest Builder

When it comes to building or renovating, we understand that cost plays a big role in decision-making. Everyone has a budget, and keeping your project financially viable is important. But if the cheapest quote is the only thing guiding your decision, you could be setting yourself up for hidden costs that go far beyond the number on the page.

At Blue Diamond Building and Construction, we’ve spent over years helping clients navigate the true cost of building—and we’ve seen first-hand what happens when a quote that looks too good to be true, is.

What's Missing From the Cheapest Quote?

Builders offering the lowest price may also lack the experience needed to foresee challenges or manage complex builds. Inexperience can lead to poor decision-making, design misinterpretations, and costly mistakes that could have been avoided with a more seasoned team.

Builders who offer the lowest price often do so by cutting corners or leaving out important details. These are some of the most common omissions:

• Provisional Sums & Prime Cost Items (PCs):
  These are placeholders for unknowns or allowances. If they’re unrealistically low or not properly explained, you could be hit with significant variations during the build.
• Exclusions & Undefined Scope:
  The quote might leave out demolition, site costs, permits, or project management—costs you’ll end up covering later.
• Cheap Materials & Labour:
  Lower quality inputs can result in higher maintenance or repair costs down the track.
• Minimal Site Supervision:
  Less oversight can lead to rushed work, mistakes, and delays. Over the years, we’ve seen neighbouring building sites with poor supervision—apprentices left alone, and risky health and safety practices that put everyone on site at risk. Make sure to ask your builder who will be supervising your job.

The Stress Factor

A cheap price might feel good at first—but ongoing budget blowouts, timeline extensions, and poor communication can quickly turn that good feeling into daily stress. We’ve been called in to fix jobs that began with the cheapest quote and ended in disappointment, cost overruns, and strained relationships.

We've also witnessed shortcuts being taken on nearby sites—for example, steel being installed on top of freshly poured concrete that hadn't been given time to cure. These builders may be saving time, but at what cost to the structural integrity and longevity of the build?

What You’re Really Paying For

When you work with a builder who values transparency, experience, and planning, you’re investing in more than just materials and labour. You’re paying for:

• Thorough upfront planning to avoid nasty surprises
• Clear documentation that outlines exactly what’s included
• Professional project management from start to finish
• Trusted trades and suppliers who deliver consistent quality
• A team that values relationships, not just results

Why Blue Diamond Takes a Different Approach

We don’t compete to be the cheapest. We compete to deliver the best value. Our processes, including our Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), ensures every detail is considered up front—with input from all involved. We take on a limited number of projects each year so that we can provide the focus, communication, and care your build deserves.

We also offer clients access to our in-house interior designer—because over the years, we’ve learned that many people want support with selections and internal layouts, not just structural work.

A Note on Comparing Quotes

You can always keep requesting quotes, and there’s a good chance someone will come back with a cheaper price. But the real question is—why is it cheaper? What are you sacrificing? Is it proper supervision, quality materials, or the time required to do things right? Price is only part of the equation. Make sure you're comparing the full picture.

Final Thought

If you’re comparing quotes, look deeper than the final figure. Ask what’s included, who’s involved, how they plan to manage your build, and whether they can prove it. Choose a builder who is just as invested in your project’s success as you are.

Because the cheapest quote might cost you the most in the end.

Let’s talk about how we can help you bring your project to life—the right way.