How we measure and price
Two things decide whether a cost plan is any use: the quantities and the prices. Here is how we get both, and where the limits are.
Measuring from the drawing's own lines
Architects' PDFs hold the drawing as vector lines, not just a picture. We read those lines directly, find each room and wall, and measure areas and lengths from them. We check the scale against the drawn scale bar on every sheet and stop if they disagree.
On a recent cottage remodel our gross external area came to 152.8 m² against the architect's 150 m². The difference was the front porch.
Pricing from merchant product pages
Every material is priced from the merchant's own product page on the day we check it, mostly Bradfords, Selco and Wickes. Each line in the workbook links to the product, so you can open it and see the price yourself. We do not use cost guides, price books or rates per square metre.
Web prices are not trade prices. Your builder's account prices may be lower, and prices change. That is why every price carries the date we read it.
Three figures for every line
Low is the cheapest product that meets the specification. Mid is the local merchant where it stocks the item. High is an upgraded product. The range shows where the money moves with specification.
Checked before it leaves us
We rebuild and recalculate each workbook three times and only send it when all three runs match exactly. Every product link is checked to make sure it goes to the merchant selling the product.
Who does the work
Measured & Priced is run by Craig Fearn in Gwennap, Cornwall. Every cost plan is measured, priced and checked by Craig, and you deal with him directly.
The limits
We are not quantity surveyors and are not RICS regulated. We measure only what is drawn. We do not visit the site. We do not price labour unless you give us your builder's rates. You must check the figures before you rely on them.
Before you use any figure we send, you must:
- Check the quantities against your own drawings and the site.
- Check the prices with your merchant or builder on the day you buy.
- Use a chartered quantity surveyor for anything a lender, insurer, funder, tender or contract relies on.
Once you use or share our figures, you are responsible for them. Our liability is limited to the fee you paid. You accept this when you place an order.
Send drawings for a fixed price
We reply within one working day.