Our Process: How McDowell Building & Construction Scopes Every Project
A staged, paid planning process that gives homeowners budget certainty before construction starts, not after.
Why We Work This Way
Most building companies quote a job in a single phone call. McDowell Building & Construction doesn't, because a number given without proper scoping is a guess, not a quote. For renovation and extension projects, we use a staged, paid planning process: a free discovery call, a paid Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC), a free and optional on-site consultation, and a paid Pre-Construction Agreement (PCA). Rectification and maintenance work is handled a little differently, assessed and costed on an individual basis, but the principle is the same: proper planning before any work begins. This process was built to protect the budget before the first trade is booked, not after the first invoice arrives.
How We Work
Renovation and extension projects run through a staged OPC and PCA process. It starts with a free discovery call, moves into an Opinion of Probable Cost so the budget is realistic from day one, and only then into a detailed Pre-Construction Agreement. Rectification and maintenance work is assessed and costed individually. Either way, the budget is protected before construction starts, not after.
Discovery Call
Every project starts with a free 20-minute discovery call with the McDowell team.
Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC)
The OPC is a paid, early-stage budgeting service, not a final quote.
On-Site Consultation
Before the Pre-Construction Agreement begins, the McDowell team can visit the property for a free on-site consultation.
Pre-Construction Agreement (PCA)
The PCA is where the real detail gets built.
Proposal Review
Once the PCA is complete, the team sits down with the homeowner and steps through the detailed proposal together.
Building Contract & Construction
Once the proposal is approved, McDowell Building & Construction prepares a standard HIA building contract and schedules construction.
What Each Stage Looks Like
From the first walk-through to the last fix, in the order it happens.
Why There's a Fee Before the Free Consultation
It might seem unusual that the OPC comes before a free site visit, rather than after one. The reasoning is straightforward: proper scoping takes real time and real expertise, and that only happens once a homeowner has shown they're genuinely ready to move forward. A free, instant estimate can only ever be a guess, because nobody has actually sat down and worked through the site conditions, the structural implications or the real cost of materials and trades.
McDowell Building & Construction charges for the OPC because it's the fee that makes the number worth trusting. It also means the team's detailed planning time goes to homeowners who are genuinely ready to progress, rather than being spread across enquiries that were never going to go ahead. The result is a process that respects everyone's time, the team's included, and gives every serious homeowner a straight answer early.
01What's the difference between the OPC and the PCA?
The Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) is an early-stage budgeting tool that gives homeowners a realistic cost range before any detailed design work begins. The Pre-Construction Agreement (PCA) is the next step, where McDowell Building & Construction prepares a fully detailed proposal, ready to move into a building contract. The OPC establishes whether a project is worth progressing. The PCA turns that early estimate into a dependable, scoped price.
02Is the OPC a final quote?
No, the OPC is a planning tool, not a final quote. It gives homeowners a realistic cost range based on the information available at the time, including any plans supplied, site conditions and comparable projects McDowell Building & Construction has completed. It is not a fixed contract price, and costs can change once full documentation and a detailed scope are developed during the Pre-Construction Agreement stage.
03How long does the process take from enquiry to contract?
The OPC typically takes 3 to 7 business days once payment and any available documents are received. The Pre-Construction Agreement takes longer. The timeframe is confirmed per project and recorded in the signed PCA agreement. McDowell Building & Construction would rather take the time to get the scope right at this stage than rush a number that changes once construction starts.
04Are the OPC and PCA fees credited toward the final build?
The OPC fee is not credited, since it covers early-stage budgeting work rather than construction. The full PCA fee is credited toward the Building Contract if the client proceeds within 60 days of receiving the final detailed Proposal, as outlined in the PCA agreement. Outside that 60 day window the PCA fee is non-refundable. This structure rewards homeowners who move forward with the team once the detailed scoping is complete.
05Will I get a line-by-line cost breakdown?
No, McDowell Building & Construction prepares proposals as construction contracts rather than itemised quotes. Instead of a line-by-line breakdown, each proposal sets out a detailed scope with clear inclusions and exclusions for one agreed price. McDowell Building & Construction have found that itemised pricing invites homeowners to shop individual line items to other suppliers, which creates gaps in accountability once construction begins.
06What exactly is included in the PCA?
Full details of what the Pre-Construction Agreement covers, including inclusions, exclusions, site visits, revisions and any inspections billed separately, are set out in the client agreement provided before any work begins. That way both sides are working from the same document, with no assumptions about what is and isn't part of the scope.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Ready to start the conversation? Book a free discovery call with the team and find out what stage your project needs to start at. See the full range of work this process covers on the Services Hub, or get in touch directly on the Contact page.