Home Build Autopsy.

Too many building projects end up on life support—or worse, declared dead on arrival. And if we took the time to examine why, we’d find they were unwell from the very start.

A common story: a client directs the design of a home they love—only to discover the cost is way beyond budget. Their choices? Redesign (and lose the magic), find more money (often impossible), or walk away.

I call it an autopsy—because by the time the misalignment is found, the damage is already done.

The real issue? A brief and budget that were never on speaking terms.

This mismatch plays out over and over. A wishlist is handed over, a beautiful design is developed, and the real cost is only uncovered once the project reaches the tender stage.

Here’s how we fix it:

• Start with strategy, not just sketching.

• Test project viability before investing in design.

• Align the brief and the budget early.

• Price check progressively.

We don’t need more autopsies—we need better diagnostics at the start. That’s how we give the project the best chance of success, with early direction and the right team to carry it through.

PS: If you’ve been sent a project brief or a set of plans and your gut says, “This isn’t going to work,” trust it. Book a 'Cuppa with Katie,' and let’s get the brief and budget talking before the tender stage.