project budgeting
Get a clear, realistic budget before you commit to design or construction.
Our early-stage budgeting process gives you a detailed view of costs—whether selling, buying, or upgrading a property you own.
Buying, selling, or upgrading a commercial, industrial, or multi-family property in an earthquake-prone area comes with unique challenges.
Seismic retrofits or structural repairs are often essential for protecting tenants, inventory, and property value.
PROJECT BUDGETING YOU CAN COUNT ON
Budgeting is where your project starts taking shape. Our unique project budgeting service gives you more than just numbers on a spreadsheet—you get a clear financial roadmap that lays out the scope and cost before construction begins.
With enough project details, we can create a budget you can count on—helping you plan confidently, reduce risk, and secure the right financing while avoiding expensive surprises later.
What you can expect:
Purpose-fit budgets
Preliminary pricing, loan-ready estimates, or conceptual budgets for long-term planning.
Right-sized accuracy
Low (to explore best-case scenarios), Medium (detailed for planning), or High (conservative for lenders).
Scope aligned to goals
Built to support SUL and SEL targets—the industry standard for seismic projects today—while satisfying lender and insurance company requirements.
Actionable deliverable
An easy-to-read breakdown that supports project planning, risk reduction, and financing.
1. Initial Consultation
We review your goals, project details and any available drawings or reports.
2. Engineer Coordination
If you don't already have one, we can connect you with trusted structural engineers who specialize in seismic retrofits—ensuring your design supports both safety and cost control.
3. Preliminary Plan Review We review engineering plans before they're submitted to the city, helping to catch issues early and prevent costly revisions during city review.
4. Detailed Budget Creation
We provide an itemized, well-documented budget based on known conditions, factoring in potential unknowns and engineering variations.
5. Ongoing Support
We remain available to refine your budget as the project evolves, so your numbers stay accurate and actionable.
How Our Project Budgeting Works
Our process is designed to give you a dependable budget and a smoother retrofit or repair experience from the very start
Our process is designed to deliver a retrofit that meets safety standards, fits your budget, and protects your operations:
1. Initial Consultation
We review your goals, project details, and any available drawings or reports.2. Engineer Coordination
If you don’t already have one, we can connect you with trusted structural engineers who specialize in seismic retrofits—ensuring your design supports both safety and cost control.
3. Preliminary Plan Review
We review engineering plans before they’re submitted to the city, helping to catch issues early and prevent costly revisions during city review.
4. Detailed Budget Creation
We provide an itemized, well-documented budget based on known conditions, factoring in potential unknowns and engineering variations.
5. Ongoing Support
We remain available to refine your budget as the project evolves, so your numbers stay accurate and actionable.
why it matters
Retrofit and repair costs can change a deal—or derail a project plan. A well‑built budget helps you:
Make Sound Decisions
See the total cost before you commit.
Reduce
Financial Risk
Negotiate Stronger Terms
Increase Property Value
Hit SEL/SUL
Targets
FAQ
What’s included in a Saunders Seismic budget?
Your budget covers more than just materials and labor. We factor in engineering collaboration, permits, deputy inspection fees, state taxes (for Washington projects), testing, tenant coordination, and the logistical considerations for industrial and commercial sites.
A budget is a financial planning tool—an informed estimate based on the details you share and known conditions. It’s built on assumptions and known conditions to help shape the scope of work.
A bid is a final price proposal based on completed engineering plans. Budgets help you plan; bids lock in your cost.
Accurate budgeting is critical to your project’s success, and different goals call for different levels of certainty. Loan applications often require conservative numbers, while early conceptual planning can work with more flexible estimates.
Our budgeting service is designed to give you detailed, realistic ranges that reflect how projects evolve—from concept to final plans. We factor in engineering options, existing conditions, and tenant scheduling, all of which can impact cost. Providing low, medium, and high levels gives you a practical planning window. The more information you share up front, the more precise and reliable your budget will be.
Yes. While we aren’t engineers ourselves, we collaborate with experienced structural engineers who specialize in seismic retrofits. This ensures your project budget aligns with accurate retrofit and repair designs. Choosing the right engineer is crucial to keeping your budget on track. Contact us before you engage an engineer—our estimates are based on pairing you with the right professional for your project’s scope. We can connect you with trusted engineers to develop the final plans.
SEL (Scenario Expected Loss) and SUL (Scenario Upper Loss) guide retrofit scope and cost. Most commercial budgets use these standards unless higher safety requirements apply, such as for public assembly buildings.
Plan With Confidence. Buy, sell, or upgrade without surprises.
Whether you’re preparing a property for sale, evaluating a purchase, or planning a retrofit, Saunders Seismic can give you a reliable starting budget before you move forward. We’ll connect you with trusted professionals and guide you from your first questions to your final inspection.