If you’ve ever opened a building quote and seen the terms Provisional Costs or Prime Costs, you’ll know how confusing they can be. They sound similar, but they cover different things — and both can make a big difference to your budget.
Here’s the quick breakdown:
Provisional Costs (PCs)
These are estimates for work that isn’t fully defined yet — like landscaping, excavation, or retaining walls. Because the details aren’t locked in, the actual cost could be higher (or lower) than what’s listed in the quote.
Translation: you carry the risk if the job ends up costing more.
Prime Costs (PC Items)
These are allowances for items you haven’t picked yet — think tiles, taps, ovens, light fittings. The builder sets a budget for the supply of those items. If you choose something more expensive, you pay the extra. If you go cheaper, you might get a credit.
Translation: it’s about your product choices, not the unknowns of the build.
Why This Matters
Both types of costs are common in Australian building contracts, but they can easily lead to budget blowouts if you don’t know what to look for. Builders use them to keep the project moving when not every decision or detail is nailed down.
How Builder Brokers Makes It Simple
This is where we step in. At Builder Brokers, we:
- Match your project with vetted builders who know their stuff.
- Review every quote line by line to check the allowances are realistic and transparent.
- Flag where costs might change so you’re not caught off guard later.
- Explain PC items in plain English so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.
With us in your corner, you’ll know if that $1,500 “tiles allowance” will actually get you the tiles you want, or if it’s setting you up for a variation down the track.
Bottom Line
Provisional and Prime Costs don’t have to be stressful. With Builder Brokers, you get clarity upfront, control over your budget, and confidence that your builder’s quote actually reflects your vision.