Open-Book-Pricing
Pricing With Clarity & Confidence When You Chose Matchett Constructions
Cost-per-square-metre estimates are how budget blowouts begin.
Instead, we use a proven pricing process built on detailed analysis of your actual home — protecting your investment and giving you a number you can trust.
Open-book means exactly that.
Every labour, material, subcontractor, allowance and margin line is documented and visible to you — from the first estimate to the final claim.
You see where every dollar goes, and every change is priced and approved in writing before work proceeds.
It starts before you've committed to anything: The Perfect Estimate — our estimating method built on $20M+ of back-costed homes — prepares a detailed feasibility within 10% of your real build cost, in 48 hours.
When it comes to structuring your build, we offer two clear contract options — and we explain both in full at a Contract Education Session before anything is signed.
Fixed Price Contract
Best for financed projects
Built-in contingency (typically 2–4%)
Monthly progress claims
Predictable, bank-friendly cash flow
Certainty from day one
Cost Plus Contract
Best for cash-funded projects
No contingency loading
Full, line-by-line cost visibility
Greater flexibility through the build
Transparency at every stage
Most builders give you one number | We show you all of them.
Every Matchett Constructions estimate is broken into costed categories — our own labour, materials and suppliers, and each subcontract trade. Here's a look at what that openness actually means:
Matchett Construction | Labour
01 | Project Management - On-Site
$28,010
02 | Concrete Works
$3,930
03 | Ground-Floor Frame
$16,740
04 | Passivhaus & Airtightness
$2,390
05 | Cladding
$55,340
06 | Joinery & Benchtops
$67,000
Matchett Construction | Labour
01 | Concrete foundations
$46,090
02 | Weathertight wrap (Pro Clima)
$7,140
03 | Roofing
$22,330
04 | Cladding Materials
$47,090
05 | Plaster & Insulation
$60,560
06 | Joinery & Benchtops
$67,100
Subcontract Trades
01 | Electrical
$53,070
02 | Plumbing
$45,930
03 | Tiling & Waterproofing
$18,690
…and 70+ more line categories in the full estimate.
Subtotal (ex GST) — full estimate
$1,099,000
GST
$109,900
Total (inc GST)
$1,208,900
Even Our Margin
Our target margin is 10%, and we publish it. Open-book means you see everything — including what we make. It's the number most builders won't say out loud.
The Whole Picture
Two quotes per subcontract trade, into an open, negotiated tender. Every material quantified from a 3D model of your home; every labour rate back-costed from real completed builds.
We’ll visit the site and consider any areas of concern. We consider a range of aspects such as overhead power lines, sewer lines, character overlays and boundary perimeters.
Discuss your ideas, wants & wishes. Consider the slope of the land and direction in which you wish to build.
You are encouraged to bring along any photos, Pinterest ideas or any material that will allow our team to envision your dream.
Two weeks to create a preliminary estimate from discussion.
Ballpark figure which includes, concept and construction plans, certification/approval, soil tests, survey as well as any potential engineering fees.
Gives a perspective of Matchett Constructions costing.
If the you then wish to proceed, a preliminary agreement which covers plans, soil test, surveys and all building/land searches and approvals will be given to you.
This does not lock you in to build with Matchett constructions. It acknowledges payment for the above-mentioned work, and once completed will be handed over in a complete file with all approved documents waiting for the final go ahead from you.
While the above process is
taking place, we will be able to
start pricing your dream home or renovations off the concept
plans.
This allows Matchett
Constructions to narrow down the price to a more accurate figure.
If you are happy to proceed, full construction plans and engineering will begin.
We have dedicated interior designers to your project.
They make the whole process of picking tiles, paint, kitchen, and cabinetry so easy.
We'll also be very conscious of budget during this time to ensure you achieve the look you want, in budget.
Once we have received all selections, engineering and full construction plans we will then proceed to write up our Master Builders QLD contract for your viewing.
Once signed we then proceed
with the deposit invoice.
Once the contract is signed, we then lodge everything with the council.
As council proceeds with the approval, we finalise the finer details of the build from selections to minor changes.
Once construction is underway Matchett Constructions clients have full access to the Matchett Constructions App. You can find this on the Matchett
Constructions website.
This app gives you full access to the project with a click of the button on your phone or desktop. You can view all details from the budget (invoices outstanding, paid, and upcoming), the selections you have made as well as daily updates via photos and notes made by the builder during the build process. You are also encouraged to communicate to the builder through this app, via a communication section where you can make notes and write emails as well as attach photos to discuss with the builder while they are on site.
The program also has an inbuilt schedule where you can view the progress of the build and what is happening on certain days of the week and the projected finish date so you can prepare for your move in date.
One of the most exciting parts
of the journey!
We organise a meeting to run
over all features of the build,
from appliances to home automation.
As well as having a detailed inspection of each room so you
can note small defects. Any
noted can be fixed before
move in.
Handover of all warranties, certificates, manuals.
And most importantly this is where we hand over the keys so you can enjoy all your hard work and dedication.
Representative excerpt from a real detailed estimate — client and project details removed, figures rounded. Every Matchett client receives their own estimate in full, line by line.
