— and How To Avoid Them
Let’s face it—property development isn’t for the faint-hearted. Between material cost volatility, tight timelines, and unexpected surprises (hello, tradesperson who forgot to tell you they were going on a 3-week holiday mid-renovation), sticking to a budget can feel like an impossible dream. But here’s the good news: thoughtful design doesn’t just make your properties look amazing—it can also be your secret weapon for staying on budget and boosting profitability.
By planning ahead and working collaboratively with industry professionals, you’ll put yourself in a much better position to manage costs and avoid those “if only we’d thought of that earlier” moments. To help, we’ve rounded up three common budgeting pitfalls developers face—and how great design can help you dodge them.
1. Not Allocating Enough Budget (and Time) to Upfront Space Planning
Space planning isn’t just about fitting as many rooms as possible into a floorplan—it’s about creating spaces that work. When you put thought into how a property is laid out, you’re not just making it liveable—you’re maximising every last square metre of usable space, and adding enormous value in the process.
Take, for example, something as simple as including a walk-in wardrobe or a utility room. These are additional features that tenants and buyers love because they add functionality and a sense of luxury. When you plan these details upfront, they often don’t cost much more, if anything, to include.
But if you skip this step? You could end up with awkward layouts that waste valuable square footage, missing out on opportunities to up your perceived (and actual) value. Remember: good space planning is about working smarter, not harder—it’s much easier, and cheaper, to get it right in the design phase on paper, than to try and fix it later.
2. Spending in the Wrong Areas
When you’re working to a budget, it’s tempting to go all-in on the latest trends to make your property stand out. But we all know that trends come and go, and what looks fresh today could feel dated in a year. NOT the ideal if you’re planning on holding an asset for 5, 10 or more years.
Instead, focus your spending on timeless design elements and quality materials that can stand the test of time. Think durable worktops, robust flooring, and fixtures that won’t look tired after a few years of wear and tear. These are the things tenants will notice—and they’ll thank you for choosing quality over flashiness.
Once the basics are sorted, then is the time to layer in any trend-led pieces like cushions, rugs, or wall art. These are easy to swap out to update photography or just refresh the property when styles change, keeping your interiors looking fresh without breaking the bank. It’s also a great way to create those Instagrammable spaces tenants can’t resist snapping!
3. Not Being Thorough in Tender Packs
You’ve got a tender pack—great! But is it detailed enough? One of the biggest pitfalls we see is developers handing over vague or incomplete specifications to trades, only to find out later that their “small” changes come with big costs. All those little costs that seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, can easily tip into thousands.
Say you’ve envisioned a herringbone tile pattern in your bathroom but your tender pack just says “tile to all bathroom walls,” guess what? Your trades will usually default to a standard 30x60 or 60x60 tile—and will expect more for the additional time and effort spent installing smaller tiles in a herringbone pattern.
A detailed tender pack ensures everyone is on the same page from the get-go, eliminating room for miscommunication and helping you get accurate quotes up front. Plus it gives you peace of mind that you have some comeback if "additions" start creeping in that should have already been within the scope, so you’re not hit with surprise costs further down the line. And trust us—your trades will appreciate the clarity too because nobody wants those awkward conversations.
Budgeting for property development is all about balance: knowing where to spend, where to save, and how to plan for the unexpected. Thoughtful design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a practical tool that helps you make smarter decisions and maximise your returns.
At roost, we’re here to make your properties look incredible while keeping an eye on the bottom line. Whether it’s nailing the layout, choosing the right materials, or creating detailed tender packs, we’ve got your back. Ready to make budgeting headaches a thing of the past? Let’s talk!
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