Why Market-Aligned Cost Estimates Are Critical for NDIS Home Modifications

When it comes to complex home modifications, one of the most common reasons projects stall isn’t the design, the OT assessment, or even the availability of trades — it’s the cost estimates. If they don’t align with market rates, the NDIA is likely to question them, delaying funding approvals and leaving participants waiting.

At Complete Project Partners, we take a different approach. Our Building Construction Practitioner (BCP) reports include costings that are benchmarked against current market conditions, giving OTs, Support Coordinators, and participants confidence that funding requests are fair, transparent, and approval-ready.

1. Why Market Rates Matter

The NDIA wants to see that the works being proposed are reasonable and necessary. If quotes look inflated, inconsistent, or underpriced, they can be rejected or sent back for clarification. This can add weeks — even months — of delays.

Market-aligned estimates reduce that risk. They show the NDIA that the project is costed realistically and that funding requests are justified.

2. Protecting the Participant

If costings aren’t accurate, participants can be left in a tough spot:

• Partial approvals where the NDIA funds less than what’s required.

• Requests for additional quotes that drag out the process.

• Unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

  
  

By aligning with market rates, we make sure participants get the full scope they need, with minimal back-and-forth.

3. Transparent for Everyone Involved

Accurate, market-based estimates mean:

• OTs can feel confident their recommendations will translate into workable scopes.

• Support Coordinators can advocate with hard numbers that hold weight.

• Participants know they’re being treated fairly — no inflated prices, no shortfalls.

4. Our Process at CPP

Every BCP report we prepare includes:

• Cost benchmarks based on industry-standard trade rates.

• Adjustments for real-time market conditions like material costs and labour availability.

• NDIS-aligned line items so the NDIA sees costings in the format they expect.

  
  

The result? Reports that aren’t just compliant, but credible and defensible.

Conclusion

Accurate, market-aligned cost estimates might seem like a small detail, but they’re the key to unlocking smoother approvals and better participant outcomes. At Complete Project Partners, it’s part of the way we make complex modifications simple.