10/06/2026
The question most people forget to ask their builder. And it quietly costs them thousands.
“What’s included in your allowances?”
Every builder’s quote comes with allowances for tiles, tapware, fixtures, appliances, and finishes. These are estimated costs, built on assumptions about what you’ll choose. They assume a certain price point, a certain weight, a certain level of complexity to install.
The problem is most people make their selections after the contract is signed. And by then, the budget is already set. Here’s what that means in practice.
You choose a stone benchtop instead of the engineered stone the allowance assumed. The material costs more, but so does the installation. Stone is heavier, harder to handle, and often requires additional support. That difference isn’t just in the product price.
You choose a freestanding bath instead of a built-in. The tapware moves to the floor or wall, the waterproofing changes, and the labour involved is different from what was quoted.
You choose large format tiles instead of standard. The wastage rate is higher, the laying time is longer, and if your floor isn’t perfectly level, additional prep work is needed before a tile can go down.
None of these are problems on their own. They’re only problems when the builder has already priced the job assuming something different. Getting your selections made before your contract is finalised means your builder can price the actual job, not an assumed version of it. It protects you from variations you didn’t see coming, and it gives you a realistic picture of what your home is going to cost before you’re committed.
It’s one of the most valuable things you can do at the start of a build, and it’s exactly what The Edit is designed to help with.