Budget – Fantasy or Fiction?
Remember when you found out Santa wasn’t real? It was a shock—but it also changed how you saw things. You began to understand the true meaning of Christmas: giving, joy, connection. The magic didn’t disappear—it evolved.
Sam and Bec had a similar moment in their home build journey. You probably know the type—excited clients with grand ideas, Pinterest boards full of dreams, and a budget that tells a different story.
I was brought in by my Trust Build Partner to develop their Project Brief. Using real cost data from the builder’s past projects, it became clear their original wish list wasn’t going to stack up. Of course, they were gutted—but because we caught it early, it gave us time to shift gears.
That moment—before drawings are locked in, before money is wasted—is where the magic happens.
We worked together to reshape the brief, not around fantasy, but around clarity: what mattered most, what could flex, and how to build something they’d still love within their actual budget. The result? A realistic plan, a happy client, and no exhausting value management battles down the track.
The earlier clients come to terms with budget reality, the easier building becomes. No redesign spirals. No resentment. Just alignment from the outset.
So, here’s the truth: creating a strategic Project Brief sometimes means letting go of an impossible dream—but only to build something even better, and actually achievable.
P.S.: Are you a good builder caught in the frustrating cycle of projects constantly exceeding budget? Let's break that cycle. Book a 'Cuppa with Katie' to discuss how we can change your client’s dream from fantasy to fiction.