Know What Your Renovation Will Really Cost
- Before You Commit
Independent advice to avoid overpaying, hidden costs and scope mistakes.
Most UK renovations go 10-25% over budget - often avoidably
We help homeowners across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire understand realistic renovation costs, risks and scope - before committing to builders
Independent advice only, No contractor commissions, No construction services - purely client-side guidance
FirstBuild Advisory operates as a client-side renovation advisory practice, providing independent renovation guidance so you remain in control.
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Our service is designed to give you clarity before renovation decisions become expensive commitments.​
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​You should consider speaking with us if:
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You're planning a renovation between £40,000 and £150,000+
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Builder quotes vary significantly and you're unsure why
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You want to understand realistic costs before committing
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You're buying a property that requires renovation
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You want an independent view before signing with a contractor
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Renovation costs are rarely clear at the outset. Quotes vary, assumptions are often hidden, and small misunderstandings can quickly become expensive mistakes.
Where We add Value for You?
Without independent advice, this is what typically happens:
Cost of Not getting Advice
The Average renovation overrun in the UK is 10-25%
On an £80,000 project, that's £8,000-£20,000.
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Avoid £8-£20K mistakes before you sign with a builder.
If you’re planning a renovation or considering a property that needs work, the most valuable advice often comes before the first contractor is appointed.
Renovation decisions are often made too late — after quotes are in, budgets are stretched, and expectations are already set.
FirstBuild Advisory exists to change that.
Our role is to help homeowners and buyers gain clear, independent insight into renovation costs, scope, and risks before contractors are appointed and money is committed. By working at the front end of the process, we help clients make informed decisions early — when those decisions have the greatest impact.
About FirstBuild Advisory
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FirstBuild Advisory is an independent, client-side renovation cost planning and advisory service, supporting residential projects across the South of England including, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
With over 20 years’ experience working within the residential renovation industry, we bring practical, real-world understanding of how projects are priced, planned, and delivered — gained through extensive experience working alongside both clients and tradespeople.
This background allows us to provide advice that reflects how renovations actually unfold on site: how costs build up, where budgets commonly drift, and why misunderstandings so often arise between homeowners and contractors.
We are not builders or project managers, and we do not carry out works or appoint trades. Our independence allows us to act solely in the interests of our clients, offering clear, unbiased guidance at a critical stage in the renovation process.
Practical industry insight — not guesswork
After two decades working with trades, suppliers, and clients, we understand how renovation projects in the UK are priced and delivered in practice.
We know:
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Why contractor quotes can vary dramatically
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What information trades need to price work accurately
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Where scope gaps lead to variations and disputes
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How early decisions affect cost, programme, and risk
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This industry awareness enables us to help clients approach conversations with contractors better prepared, better informed, and with more realistic expectations.
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Our role in your project
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We work before the build begins — and, where required, offer light-touch advisory support during works.
Our role is to:
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Clarify scope and feasibility
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Provide realistic cost guidance
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Highlight risks before they become problems
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Support confident decision-making
All construction work remains the responsibility of appointed contractors. Our focus is clarity, preparation, and independent advice — so clients commit to their renovation with confidence, not uncertainty.
Why Firstbuild Advisory?
Why home owners trust FirstBuild Advisory
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20+ Years overseeing real residential renovation projects
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Experienced in identifying gaps in contractor scope and pricing
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Completely independent - no commissions or referrals
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Focused on protecting you from costly renovation mistakes
Who this service is for
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This service is well suited to you if:
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You’re planning a £40k–£150k renovation
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You’re buying a property and unsure what works will realistically cost
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Contractor quotes vary widely or feel unclear
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You're not from a construction background
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You want independent advice before committing
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You’d rather invest a small amount now than regret decisions later​​​
​​​Who this service is not for
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This service may not be suitable if:
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You’re looking for a contractor or project manager
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You want fixed prices or guarantees
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You’re planning a minor cosmetic refresh
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You’re already mid-build and seeking dispute resolution
About the Founder
After more than 20 year working in residential installations, I've seen where renovation projects go wrong.
Not because of one big mistake - but because of unclear scope, unrealistic pricing and poor early decisions.
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​​Most issues I see could have been avoided before a builder was ever appointed.
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I created FirstBuild Advisory to give homeowners clarity before they commit.
When it matters most.​
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​​No contractor referrals
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No commissions
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Just honest, client-side advice
When Should You Speak To FirstBuild?
Homeowners usually contact us when:
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Builder quotes vary significantly and it's unclear which is realistic​
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They are buying a property that needs renovation and want cost clarity first
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They want an independent opinion before committing to a contractor
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They want reassurance before investing £40k-£150k into a renovation