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Value Engineering

Value Engineering Services

At Builtwell Consulting, Value Engineering is about getting you the highest-quality result for the lowest reasonable cost—without cutting corners or sacrificing your vision.

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In construction, costs can spiral quickly due to over-designed plans, inefficient material choices, or outdated building methods. Our value engineering process identifies where your project can be made more efficient, more affordable, and easier to build—while still meeting your functional, aesthetic, and performance goals.

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How We Apply Value Engineering:

  1. Design Review for Cost Impact

    • We examine architectural and engineering plans with a builder’s eye, spotting design elements that will drive up costs unnecessarily.

    • We recommend layout changes or material substitutions that maintain quality while reducing labor and material expenses.

  2. Material & Product Selection

    • We compare different material options, factoring in durability, availability, maintenance requirements, and cost.

    • We leverage supplier relationships to find cost-effective alternatives that still meet your desired look and performance.

  3. Construction Method Optimization

    • We recommend building techniques that speed up installation, reduce waste, and lower labor costs.

    • We eliminate overly complex details that make construction harder without adding real value.

  4. Scope & Feature Adjustments

    • We help you prioritize must-have features versus nice-to-have upgrades so you can keep the essentials and reduce spending where it won’t be missed.

    • We explore phasing strategies—building the core now and adding certain elements later if needed.

  5. Schedule Efficiency

    • We look for opportunities to streamline the construction timeline, which reduces overhead and keeps financing costs lower.

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The Builtwell Consulting Difference:
Because we’re independent and not tied to any builder, subcontractor, or supplier, our recommendations are 100% in your best interest. Our goal isn’t to build the cheapest project—it’s to maximize the return on every dollar you spend and ensure the final product performs as well in real life as it does on paper.

Project: Custom Residential Home – 3,200 sq. ft.
Location: Suburban Kansas City, MO
Initial Budget: $685,000


Challenge: The architect’s plans looked great, but construction bids came in $42,000 over budget due to over-spec’d materials and overly complex framing details. The homeowners wanted to reduce costs but didn’t want a “cheaper-looking” home.

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Builtwell Consulting’s Value Engineering Approach:

  1. Roof Design Simplification

    • Original design called for multiple rooflines and decorative gables requiring complex framing and extra labor.

    • Solution: Simplified the roof to reduce unnecessary angles while keeping architectural interest with a front façade treatment.

    • Savings: $12,000 in framing and roofing labor/materials.

  2. Material Substitution

    • Original exterior specified all cedar siding, which was expensive and high-maintenance.

    • Solution: Swapped non-prominent walls to fiber-cement siding with cedar accents only where visible.

    • Savings: $8,500 while retaining the desired aesthetic.

  3. Structural Optimization

    • Original framing plan included multiple oversized LVL beams that weren’t structurally necessary.

    • Solution: Worked with engineer to replace some with standard dimensional lumber where possible.

    • Savings: $6,800 in lumber costs.

  4. Interior Finishes

    • Kitchen and bath designs used all custom cabinetry.

    • Solution: Used semi-custom cabinets for secondary spaces (laundry, guest bath) and kept full custom in the kitchen and master bath.

    • Savings: $7,200.

  5. HVAC & Electrical Adjustments

    • Consolidated duct runs and relocated some lighting layouts for simpler installation without compromising comfort or aesthetics.

    • Savings: $3,500.

 

Results:

  • Total Savings: $38,000

  • Project brought back within budget without lowering quality.

  • Homeowners got their dream home with no visible sacrifices, plus a design that is easier to maintain and more efficient to build.

 

Key Takeaway:
Value engineering is not about building cheap—it’s about building smart. Builtwell Consulting ensures you get the best version of your project for the money you’re investing.

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