First Principle Rates
Services


First Principle Rates
Services

Science to some. Standard for us.

Science to some. Standard for us.


This service is for Builders & Subcontractors who want accurate rates without the guesswork.


We construct each unit cost from first principles and evidence it with market supply rates and productivity that stands up to scrutiny.


Our first-principle build-ups expose the cost drivers for each component — material budgets, cartage costs, waste allowances, any fixing and material allowances, labour hours and margins.


Loosing jobs using 'book-rates' that you cant refine or talk to due to a lack of transparency?


Give us a call or email to see where the gaps in your rates are.


This service is for Builders & Subcontractors who want accurate rates without the guesswork.


We construct each unit cost from first principles and evidence it with market supply rates and productivity that stands up to scrutiny.


Our first-principle build-ups expose the cost drivers for each component — material budgets, cartage costs, waste allowances, any fixing and material allowances, labour hours and margins.


Loosing jobs using 'book-rates' that you cant refine or talk to due to a lack of transparency?


Give us a call or email to see where the gaps in your rates are.

Get Started

The Principle Stays
Exactly The Same

  1. Rate Inputs

Send company material supply rates, any agreed cartage costs and labour charge out rate. We look at the project scope of work to determine waste, plus any other access, fixings or sundry items that are required.

custom-image-showing-pdf-and-microsoft-outlook-icons-by-subsqs-ltd
white character and spreadsheet table by SubsQS

  1. Labour Component

An industry average labour constant is used to begin, then refined based on your teams anticipated productivity for each component.

  1. Margins

We can include risk margins plus company off-site overheads within each rate. Alternatively, we can exclude margins from your commercially sensitive rates for you to assign prior to submission.

white chaaracter standing on orange blocks by SubsQS
screenshot of microsoft excel workbook showing first principle rate calculation with blurred out costs by SubsQS Ltd

  1. Excel Workbook

A copy of the workbook with all inputs and outputs for each rate is issued. This makes updating the rates due to a material or scope change simple.

Measure (SoQ)

Services

Tender Preparation

custom-image-showing-pdf-and-microsoft-outlook-icons-by-subsqs-ltd

  1. Rate Inputs

Send company material supply rates, any agreed cartage costs and labour charge out rate. We look at the project scope of work to determine waste, plus any other access, fixings or sundry items that are required.

white character and spreadsheet table by SubsQS
white character and spreadsheet table by SubsQS

  1. Labour Component

An industry average labour constant is used to begin, then refined based on your teams anticipated productivity for each component.

white chaaracter standing on orange blocks by SubsQS
white chaaracter standing on orange blocks by SubsQS

  1. Margins

We can include risk margins plus company off-site overheads within each rate. Alternatively, we can exclude margins from your commercially sensitive rates for you to assign prior to submission.

Concept Stage estimate report by SubsQS Ltd

  1. Cover Letter

We itemise all rate inclusions with their respective total budget based on your supplied quantity. Labour rates and total hours per unit are clarified along with any margins you provide to include.

screenshot of microsoft excel workbook showing first principle rate calculation with blurred out costs by SubsQS Ltd
screenshot of microsoft excel workbook showing first principle rate calculation with blurred out costs by SubsQS Ltd

  1. Excel Workbook

A copy of the workbook with all inputs and outputs for each rate is issued. This makes updating the rates due to a material or scope change simple.

Measure (SoQ)

Services

Tender Preparation

The Principle Stays
Exactly The Same

Get Started

FAQ

What inputs go into a first principles rate?

Measured quantities, crew productivity labour hours, current supplier rates, plant, wastage, cartage, overheads, and risk margin specific to that item of work.

What is the benefit of first principles estimating?

It provides a clear demonstration of understanding. By breaking a rate down, you can isolate and update specific costs if supply pricing or labour rates change during the tender period.

How are preliminaries and overheads applied?

Direct costs form the base rate. Prelims are added at the project level, while off-site overheads and profit (OHP) are applied transparently on top to ensure your margins are protected.

What is the cost for a first-principle rate analysis?

Individual measures for smaller trade items start from $180+GST. For more complex schedules or full tender support, we provide custom fee proposals based on the project scope.

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