1. Our 3× Value Guarantee
When you book a Plans & Quote Review, you choose one of three review types:
- Plans-only review: we review your plans and related design documents. You do not need a builder's quote.
- Quote-only review: we review your builder's quote or tender, and any plans it is based on that you give us.
- Combined review: we review your plans and your builder's quote together.
The guarantee applies to all three review types, once we have accepted your engagement (see section 8). Our report identifies possible savings and avoidable costs, and gives each one an estimated dollar value and a short explanation.
The guarantee: if your completed review report does not identify qualifying value worth at least 3 times the review fee you paid, we refund the full review fee.
For example, if your review fee is $2,000, the report must identify at least $6,000 of qualifying value. If it doesn't, you get the full $2,000 back.
"Qualifying value" means the total of the possible savings (section 2) and avoidable costs (section 3) in your report that meet the rules in section 4.
We guarantee what our report finds. We do not guarantee that your builder will agree with it or lower their price (see section 5).
2. Possible savings
A possible saving is an amount you could reasonably save on the project as shown in your plans, your quote or both. Examples include:
- Overpriced work: items in a quote priced well above current Melbourne market rates for the same scope and quality.
- Costly design choices: details, materials or structure in the plans that cost more than needed to achieve the same result.
- Duplicate charges: the same work, margin, allowance or fee charged more than once.
- More cost-effective materials: suitable alternatives that meet the project's requirements for less.
- Better construction methods: simpler or more efficient ways to build the same result.
- Unnecessary expenses: costs that aren't needed to deliver the project as intended.
Where a possible saving involves a design change, it is an option for your architect, engineer or other relevant professional to review. It counts towards the guarantee if it is reasonably supported, even though it still needs their approval before it can be used.
3. Avoidable costs
An avoidable cost is an expense you could reasonably prevent by acting early. Examples include:
- Avoidable variations: costs likely to arise from unclear scope, vague allowances or exclusions that can be fixed before you sign.
- Pricing errors: maths mistakes, wrong quantities or items priced twice.
- Unnecessary extra work: work included in the plans or quote that the project doesn't need.
- Costly planning mistakes: sequencing, access or site issues that would add cost if not dealt with early.
Missing work is not the same as a saving. If we find essential work missing from your quote, or not shown in your plans, you will still have to pay for it. Its full cost does not count towards the guarantee. Only the part that can reasonably be avoided counts, for example the extra cost of pricing it as a later variation instead of now. We still list all missing work in your report as a budget risk.
4. How value is calculated
For an amount to count towards the 3× guarantee, it must be:
- Reasonably supported: based on market rates, quantities, the documents you provided or Brendan's building experience, with a short written explanation.
- Financially measurable: given a reasonable dollar estimate. Where we give a range, we count the lower figure.
- Realistic: achievable for your project, without reducing safety, compliance or the agreed quality.
- Net of implementation costs: reduced by any reasonable cost of making the change, such as extra design fees or longer lead times, where we can estimate it.
- Counted once: the same financial benefit is never counted twice. If two findings overlap, only the larger one counts.
How we estimate value for each review type
- Plans-only: there is no builder's price, so we estimate value using current Melbourne market rates and the quantities and specifications shown in your plans.
- Quote-only: we measure value against the prices in your quote and current Melbourne market rates.
- Combined: we use both. If the same issue appears in your plans and your quote, it is counted once.
Builders don't need to accept a finding for it to count. A properly supported finding counts even if your builder disagrees with it.
5. Actual savings are not guaranteed
Our report shows where we believe you can save money or avoid costs. What actually happens depends on things outside our control, including:
- whether your builder agrees to change their price or scope;
- how your negotiations go;
- the decisions you make; and
- approvals from your architect, engineer, building surveyor, council or other third parties.
We do not promise that your builder will reduce their price, or that you will save a particular amount.
6. Our reports
Your review report is a PDF. It includes:
- your plans and/or quote, marked up, with each finding highlighted;
- an estimated dollar value and a plain-English reason for each possible saving and avoidable cost;
- a separate list of missing work and other budget risks, which are not counted as savings;
- design options flagged for your architect or engineer to review; and
- a total of qualifying value, so you can check it against the 3× guarantee.
Your review also includes a 30-minute debrief call with Brendan to walk you through the findings.
7. Refund policy
If your completed report identifies less than 3× the review fee in qualifying value, we refund the full review fee. You do not need to ask.
- We start the refund within 5 business days of issuing your completed report.
- We refund to the original payment method, or to an account you nominate.
- When the refund lands depends on your bank or card provider.
If you disagree with a finding or its value
Tell us in writing within 14 days of receiving your report. Brendan will review your concerns and reply in writing within 10 business days. If the review changes the qualifying value to below 3× the review fee, we refund the full fee within 5 business days of that reply. Nothing in this process limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
When the guarantee does not apply
- The engagement is cancelled before we issue a completed report.
- Information you gave us was materially incomplete or inaccurate and that affected the findings. If we cannot complete the review properly, we will tell you before we finish it.
8. Project eligibility
We review plans and quotes for commercial, industrial, mixed-use, residential and other construction projects. We mainly work on projects of about $1 million to $10 million, and may accept others at our discretion.
For a plans-only review, your plans must be developed enough for us to estimate building costs. If they are not, we will tell you before we accept the engagement, and may suggest a Pre-Plan Check instead.
Before we take on a Plans & Quote Review, we look at your project and confirm the fee, timeframe and scope. We may decline an engagement, for example if the project is outside our experience or we have a conflict of interest. The guarantee applies once we have accepted your engagement in writing.
9. Client information
What we need depends on your review type:
- Plans-only: drawings and plans, plus specifications and finishes schedules where available.
- Quote-only: the builder's quote or tender, including any breakdown, inclusions and exclusions, plus the plans it is based on where available.
- Combined: all of the above.
Engineering, soil and other consultant reports help with every review type, where available.
If important information is missing, we will tell you what we need. We may limit the review to what we have, and note this in your report. Findings depend on the information you provide.
10. Review timeframes
We aim to deliver your review report within 48 hours. The timeframe starts when we have accepted your engagement and received all the information we need. Larger or more complex projects may need longer. If so, we will agree a delivery date with you before we start.
11. Professional advice
Our advice comes from more than 30 years of practical building experience. It covers construction costs, pricing, scope, buildability and value.
We are not your architect, engineer, building surveyor, lawyer, quantity surveyor or financial adviser. Our reports do not replace their advice. Any change to design, structure, compliance or approvals must be reviewed and approved by the right qualified professional before it is used.
Our report is for your use on the project it covers. Please don't rely on it for a different project.
12. Other services
The 3× Value Guarantee applies to Plans & Quote Review only, unless we agree otherwise in writing. Our other services, including Pre-Plan Check and broader construction advisory work, are provided on the terms in your engagement agreement.
13. Australian Consumer Law
The 3× Value Guarantee is in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or changes any right or remedy that cannot be excluded by law.
Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled to cancel your service contract with us, and to a refund for the unused portion or to compensation for its reduced value. You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. If the failure does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have problems with the service rectified in a reasonable time and, if this is not done, to cancel your contract and obtain a refund for the unused portion of the contract.
Who gives this guarantee
The 3× Value Guarantee is given by BG Advisory, part of BG Construction, Melbourne, Victoria. To raise a question or claim under it, use the booking form or email advisory@bgconstruction.com.au. There is no cost to you to make a claim.
14. Our promise to you
- Real building experience. BG Advisory is part of BG Construction. Your review is done by someone who prices and builds projects.
- We won't bid against you. BG Construction will not quote on a project we have reviewed unless you ask us to.
- No referral payments. We do not accept payments or referral fees from builders, tradespeople or suppliers we recommend.
- Your information stays confidential. We keep your quotes, plans and project details confidential. We never use them to prepare our own competing price.