The Budget Blindspot Checklist

When reviewing a tender or setting your internal budget, check if the following items are included. These are the most common hidden costs that cause overruns.

• IT “Active” Equipment: The contract usually covers passive cabling, but does it cover the switches, servers, and Wi-Fi access points?
• Acoustic Treatment: Is sound baffling included, or is it an optional extra? Retrofitting acoustics costs three times more.
• Out of Hours Working: Does the building management require noisy works to be done at night? This attracts a heavy labour premium.
• Dilapidations Liability: Have you budgeted for the legal obligation to return your old, leased property to its original condition?