Break your budget into four cost layers: structural, mechanical, electrical, and finishes. Prioritize the first three because they impact safety and functionality, while finishes can be adjusted without compromising the project. Tell your contractor your total budget before design, so they estimate within constraints rather than designing first and revealing shock numbers later. Kingdom & Co. uses a cost-first planning method where structural, mechanical, and electrical costs are locked in first, and finishes are value-engineered to fit the remaining budget, preventing the common mistake of overspending on structural work and cutting finishes short.