Example Apartment · planning notebook
Give the budget its own page.
A fictional design exercise. This guide explains the cost categories; it does not publish a real household budget, supplier quote or property measurement.
A model helps me decide where things go. A separate cost sheet helps me decide what is worth doing. I would price the same scope across alternatives before comparing totals.
Price the complete decision
| Category | Include in the estimate | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Transforming furniture | Murphy beds, folding tables and seating; cabinetry; mechanisms; delivery and fitting. | Can it be operated comfortably, locked securely and serviced? |
| Storage & entrance | Bedroom cupboards, shallow high storage, folding ladder, shoe cupboard, seat with backrest, vacuum dock. | What must be stored, and how will it be reached? |
| Living & dining | TV, soundbar, floor subwoofer, two rear speakers, mounts, power and cable routing. | How do seating, viewing and speaker positions work together? |
| Kitchen & laundry | Refrigerator, cooking appliances, extractor and duct, dishwasher, washer, cabinets and service connections. | Do doors, ventilation and maintenance access fit? |
| Bathrooms | Basins, taps, mirrors, storage, shower glazing, seals, drainage and fitting. | Does the complete wet-area arrangement work? |
| Comfort & finishes | Air conditioning, electrical work, lighting, window treatments, floor preparation and finishes. | What can be retained in good condition? |
Compare three flooring scopes
For this invented scenario, Bedroom A starts with a serviceable wooden floor. It stays in place in every option, with no new flooring purchase charged to that room.
| Option in the model | New flooring scope | Budget approach |
|---|---|---|
| Retain existing finishes | No replacement assumed. | Allow only for any cleaning, repair or refinishing identified by inspection. |
| Three rooms in wood · one retained | Bedroom B and the reading room. | Two rooms of new finish; retain Bedroom A. Keep kitchen and bathroom finishes suited to their conditions. |
| Extend through living & passage | Bedroom B, reading room, living/dining and passage. | A larger dry-area scope, including transitions between retained and new finishes. |
Use measured floor areas for pricing. Add the chosen product’s installation allowance, waste, substrate preparation, underlay or adhesive, thresholds, skirting and door adjustments where required. The interactive diagram has no measured quantities to buy from.
Keep assumptions visible
Planning total = products + materials + installation + site preparation + delivery + applicable taxes + contingency.
Record quantity, unit price, price date, product link, warranty and what each quote excludes. Separate confirmed quotations from provisional allowances. Check that bundles do not count the same installation or accessory twice.
Choose products for their suitability, service support and everyday operation as well as their appearance. A final selection needs verified dimensions and current local pricing. No purchase list or project total is implied by this example.