Service:
Design Options &
Cost Estimates
Aligned with your goals and financial objectives, our team develops short-, medium-, and long-term design options, including repair, restoration, or replacement solutions. Options are supported with existing conditions, outlined technical specifications, needs analysis, and realistic cost estimates—so you can make informed, confident decisions about how to move forward.
​​​​​Laying the Groundwork for Project Success
Every successful project begins with thoughtful design development. This phase sets the foundation for everything that follows and is essential to controlling cost, minimizing risk, and avoiding surprises during construction.
Design development is a collaborative process involving owners, architects, engineers, and contractors. During this stage, schematics are refined, on-site assessments are completed, specifications are drafted, and materials are selected. Design development is the process of evaluating existing conditions—collecting data, identifying current building systems, and defining practical design solutions.
No two projects are alike. Each building presents unique challenges, constraints, and opportunities. At Elements, we focus on fully understanding both your objectives and the conditions we’re working with. By examining the details early, we can identify potential obstacles—such as code compliance issues, energy efficiency requirements, constructability concerns, or design conflicts—before they impact schedule or budget.
With this information in hand, we help answer the critical questions:
What is the most efficient and practical solution? And what will it truly cost?
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What Sets Elements Apart?
We don’t just produce numbers—we produce outcomes. Understanding your definition of success allows us to deliver solutions that exceed expectations.
We take the time to learn:
• What you’re trying to accomplish
• How you measure success
• How your organization operates
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​Our approach is transparent, data-driven, and grounded in real-world construction costs.
The result: a clear, realistic price range that empowers decision-making from the very beginning.
Every Project Is Unique
Every building has its own set of challenges. Our process is designed to address challenges head-on by taking the time to:
• Understand your goals
• Document existing conditions
• Identify potential design conflicts
• Anticipate code & compliance issues
• Develop real, buildable solutions
• Avoid short-term fixes that lead to long-term problems
Whether the challenge involves energy performance, logistics, budget constraints, or regulatory requirements, we develop solutions that make sense today—and still perform tomorrow.
Design Development: Where Success Begins
Accurate cost estimating starts with a clearly defined scope of work. During design development, the project team works together to align the design with the owner’s financial objectives. Once the scope is established, cost estimates are developed, reviewed, and refined.
This iterative process allows the team to prioritize needs, adjust scope where necessary, and align the project with the available budget. Labor, materials, scheduling, site logistics, and operational constraints are all considered—because each project carries its own unique cost drivers.
With an initial cost estimate in hand, owners can confidently determine whether to proceed, phase the work, or revise the scope.
Importantly, reducing scope isn’t always the smartest solution. In some cases, investing more upfront can prevent costly repairs, inefficiencies, or premature failures down the road. Other times, a short-term or phased approach may be more appropriate—especially if future funding, fundraising, or ownership changes are anticipated.
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​​We help you evaluate the true cost of ownership across your building’s lifecycle.
Your Goals + Our Expertise = Stronger Outcomes
The value of Elements Management lies in our depth of knowledge and our ability to guide clients and contractors with clarity and confidence. By truly understanding your goals, we deliver solutions that balance performance, risk, and cost.
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Our process includes:
• Collaborative scope development
• Realistic, market-based cost forecasts
• Design refinements to align with budget
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We help you answer questions like:
• Should we invest now or later?
• What phased approach options do we have?
• Have we identified qualified contractors to compete
for the work?
• Are we comfortable that we can get the job done at
the estimated price?
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​Accurate cost estimating begins with a clear scope—and ends with reliable pricing expectations.
Real-World Numbers. Reliable Results.
We leverage our extensive network of trusted contractors to obtain accurate, market-informed pricing. By providing detailed, well-defined information, we enable contractors to produce estimates they can confidently stand behind—resulting in realistic price ranges from the outset.
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While estimates are not guarantees, our conservative, market-comparison, and contractor-centric approach reduces uncertainty and helps owners plan with confidence.
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Creating a project budget that truly works takes experience, judgment, and discipline. With Elements, owners gain a partner who understands how to balance cost, quality, and performance—ensuring work is not only completed, but completed correctly.
Partner with us during design development to uncover risks early, control costs, and build with confidence.