Understanding Cost-Plus Building

Built on Trust.
Priced with Transparency.

Our cost plus model gives you full visibility into your renovation or addition—no markups in the dark, no guesswork, just honest building.

What Is Cost Plus?

Cost Plus is a simple, transparent pricing method where:

  • You pay the actual cost of labor, materials, and trade work (with receipts)
  • Plus a fixed percentage or fee that covers Halsey Homes’ management, administration, and supervision.

This approach ensures you see exactly where your investment is going—down to the last nail.

Why We Use It for Renovations & Additions

Unlike new builds, renovations and additions often involve unknown conditions—hidden plumbing issues, outdated framing, structural surprises behind walls.

With fixed pricing, those unknowns often lead to inflated estimates or unexpected change orders.

With Cost Plus, you get:

Real-time visibility into what things actually cost
Fair pricing based on actual labor and materials—not guesswork
Flexibility to upgrade or scale back as your needs evolve

How It Works

1. Pre-Construction Planning
We visit your home, understand your goals, assess site conditions, and create a scope of work.

2. Real Cost Estimating
We provide a detailed estimate based on real supplier quotes and subcontractor bids. You approve it before we begin.

3. Weekly Progress + Budget Tracking
You receive weekly updates with actual costs vs. estimate, so you can track spend in real time.

4. Transparent Billing
Every invoice includes copies of receipts and subcontractor charges, with a clear line item for Halsey’s management fee.

Is Cost Plus Right for Your Project?

Cost Plus works especially well for:

  • Historic homes and older structures
  • Additions with tie-ins to existing plumbing or framing
  • Projects where you want more flexibility or control over finish selections
  • Clients who value trust, transparency, and process over low-ball estimates

If you’re the kind of homeowner who wants to understand how your project is built—and where your dollars go—we think you’ll feel right at home with this approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s included in the “plus”?
A: Our fee covers project management, site supervision, scheduling, procurement, insurance, and the systems we use to keep your project moving smoothly.

Q: Can you still give me an estimate upfront?
A: Absolutely. We prepare a detailed, itemized estimate during pre-construction so you can make informed decisions—then reconcile with real costs as we go.

Q: What if the project goes over budget?
A: You’ll always know why. There are no surprises, and every dollar is accounted for.

Ready to start your build?