Modern Craftsman Stop Letting Ballparks Become the Budget
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Jan 18, 2026 They dig into why loose ballpark pricing often becomes a binding expectation and how that breaks projects. They talk about giving wide ranges, spelling out what is and is not included, and using pre-construction to set clear expectations. They cover cost drivers, breaking scope into buckets, and testing budgets early to protect margins and client relationships.
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Ask For A Budget Early
- Ask the client for a budget or a ballpark early to self-qualify them and avoid wasted time.
- Be transparent about your minimums and typical costs so clients can self-select before deeper work starts.
Define What 'Per Square Foot' Means
- Square-foot pricing only works when you define what that square footage includes.
- Explain the assumptions (living area, garage, decks, landscape) behind your per-foot number.
Square Foot Misunderstanding Cost Me
- Nick gave an $800–$1,000/ft range and later found the client's square footage assumptions were wildly different.
- He clarified living area vs total square footage to reset expectations and avoid conflict.