Estimated reading time: 6–7 minutes
Let’s be honest, most people don’t want to talk about design – until something goes wrong. They’re excited about the building, the future use, the potential return, but the nitty-gritty of planning and design? That gets pushed down the list and by the time it’s being properly reviewed, it’s already locked in. That’s where the problems (and the budget blowouts) begin.
At MKM Building Group, we’re often brought in after the design phase has been finalised. It’s at this stage that we see how easily costs can creep into a project. Not because of glaring mistakes, but through small, overlooked decisions that don’t align with how buildings are actually constructed. That’s why we always encourage early collaboration. When the right people are involved from the outset, projects benefit from smarter decisions, greater efficiency, and better value across the board.
In this article, we’re sharing the key ways building design can quietly drive up your construction costs—and what you can do to prevent it.
Design is about more than aesthetics
First, let’s define what “design” really means in construction. It’s not just about aesthetics or floorplans. It’s about how a building functions, how it’s put together, and how efficiently it can be constructed.
Often, clients bring us a fully designed set of plans created by an architect or designer who’s never spent time on a commercial or industrial site. The result? Beautiful drawings — but costly problems, such as: Structural elements that are over-engineered (and overpriced), layouts that complicate service connections, materials that look good on paper but don’t suit the environment and design choices that lead to excessive waste or labour time.
Individually, these might seem minor. But stack them across an entire build and suddenly your $2 million project has crept to $2.4 million and you’re left frustrated, trying to understand where the extra cost came from, with no clear answers.
The risks of designing in isolation
Here’s a common scenario:
A client engages a designer to map out a vision. They spend months getting drawings just right. They finally go to tender, and every builder comes back with quotes 20–30% higher than expected. Sound familiar?
That’s because design without construction input is like writing a recipe without knowing the cost or availability of the ingredients. It might look amazing, but the moment you try to cook it, you realise it’s impractical — or completely unaffordable.
This is where MKM do things differently. We strongly believe in early involvement. Not because we want to take over, but because we want your project to happen effectively. By engaging our team early in the process, even during concept design, we help shape smarter, more efficient solutions from the start. You still get the look, feel and functionality you want — but we help make sure it’s buildable, affordable, and aligned with your budget and timeline.
The problem with overdesign (and it happens a lot)
One of the biggest culprits behind unnecessary costs? Overdesign. By this we mean structural systems that are heavier than they need to be. Steel spans that don’t suit standard lengths. Complex joins that drive up fabrication costs. Footings specified to hold loads your building will never actually see. None of this is malicious — it’s usually just cautious. Designers don’t want to under-specify, so they go bigger. But bigger isn’t always better. Bigger is more concrete. More steel. More labour. More waste.
Through value engineering, MKM’s construction team works to trim unnecessary excess. Not by cutting corners, but by identifying where cost can be saved without compromising quality or performance. We’ve helped clients reduce project costs by as much as six figures just by refining structural designs, suggesting material swaps, or altering sequencing to speed up delivery. That’s not theoretical — that’s real money back in your pocket.
Sequencing: The invisible budget killer
Here’s one most people overlook: Design that doesn’t consider how the building will be constructed. If your build requires trades to work around each other constantly, or forces equipment hire to be extended, or results in rework because of impractical staging, the cost grows fast.
Let’s say you have a confined site and the design requires difficult sections to be accessed multiple times instead of working in a logical flow. That’s double handling. Extra scaffolding. Extended crane hire. Wasted time. Then, multiply that over a 12-month construction timeline.
At MKM, because we’re builders first, we design with buildability in mind. We don’t just ask, “Will it look good?” We ask, “How will this be built?” That mindset leads to smarter sequencing and ultimately — more efficient builds.
Early engagement changes everything
If there’s one thing we hope you take from this: get your builder involved early. It doesn’t mean you have to hand over complete control. It means choosing a partner who can guide the process with real-world construction insight. Our Design & Construct (D&C) approach at MKM has been proven to save time, reduce cost, and lower stress for our clients. Here’s how it works:
- You share your idea, need, or vision. Whether you’ve got a rough sketch or a clear purpose for your building, we start by understanding what you want — and what you’re working with in terms of budget.
- We collaborate during concept development — identifying risks, improving layouts, and refining scope. This is where we bring construction knowledge to the table early. We don’t just design to a wishlist — we design to a budget. We help shape the project in a way that avoids surprises later.
- Our construction team reviews materials, structure, and sequencing for maximum efficiency. Every component is assessed not just for performance, but for cost-effectiveness. We suggest smarter material choices, simpler construction methods, and better build sequencing — all aimed at keeping things lean without cutting corners.
- You get a full, clear, buildable design — and a project that’s set up for success from day one. No disconnect between design and delivery. No nasty surprises in the tender phase. Just a complete solution that aligns with your goals, timeline, and budget from the start.
The best part? You’re not jumping between designer, engineer, builder and project manager. You have one team, one point of contact, one clear path forward.
Real project. Real results.
One of our recent commercial projects came to us in the early concept phase. The client had a rough layout in mind and a clear idea of what they needed the building to do. They were also working to a strict budget.
Instead of sending them to an architect first, we sat down and designed the project with them, integrating our construction knowledge from the start. We simplified the structural system without compromising durability, we selected materials that were more suitable to the local climate and supply chain, we staged the build around efficient trade movements and material deliveries. The result? Delivery of the full facility under budget, ahead of schedule, and exactly to spec.
That’s what happens when design and construction work together.
So, what’s the takeaway?
If your project is already designed and ready to go — that’s fine. We’ll work with it. But if you’re still in the planning stages, or considering your options, now’s the time to make a decision that could save you serious time and money.
Don’t treat design and construction as separate phases.
Don’t wait until tender to find out if your building can actually be built.
Don’t let bad sequencing or unnecessary complexity chip away at your margins.
Whether you’re building an industrial facility in Ballarat, a logistics hub in Melton, or an agricultural development in Bacchus Marsh, the smartest move you can make is getting the right builder involved early.
Ready to build better?
Talk to MKM Building Group about how we can help you design smarter and build more efficiently. From concept to completion, we’re here to ensure every decision works in your favour — not against your budget.