Large interior projects involve many variables — from site conditions to structural surprises. To ensure clarity and smooth collaboration for both you and our production partners, Cutr applies an “unforeseen costs” budget for complex projects. This article explains what it is, when it’s added, how you can track it, and which costs qualify.
1. What are “Unforeseen Costs”?
Unforeseen costs are expenses that could not reasonably have been predicted at the time of quoting and that are outside the control of both the production partner (PP) and Cutr.
They typically relate to:
Site conditions that differ from provided drawings
Technical constraints discovered during measurement or installation
Material issues that arise after the quote
Issues caused by third parties
These costs are not the customer’s fault, nor the PP’s fault. They are simply part of the realities of custom interior work.
2. When Is the Unforeseen Costs Budget Added to a Quote?
For projects exceeding €100,000, Cutr automatically adds an 8% “unforeseen costs” line item to your quote. This budget is reserved exclusively for approved unforeseen cost items.
3. How Does It Work?
Step 1 — Production partner identifies an unforeseen cost
If something unexpected occurs (e.g., hidden pipes, incorrect site measurements, material shortages), the production partner submits a request to draw from the budget.
Step 2 — Cutr validates the request
We review:
Whether the issue meets the “unforeseen cost” criteria
Whether the cost amount is correct and reasonable
Step 3 — Approved costs appear in your quote
When approved, the cost is:
Logged directly in your quote under the “Unforeseen Costs” line item
Shown with the amount and a clear description
Note: this does not change your total quote amount
Step 4 — You are notified at 70% and 100% use
You will receive an automatic message when:
70% of the budget is used
100% of the budget is used
Step 5 — End-of-project refund
After project completion, any unused budget is automatically refunded and reflected in the final invoice.
4. How Can You Track the Progress of Your Unforeseen Budget?
You can monitor usage at any time:
Open the latest accepted quote in the “Quote” tab on your order
Scroll to the “Unforeseen Costs” line item
Each approved cost will be listed with
the amount
a description
You’ll also receive automated updates at key thresholds (70% and 100%).
5. What Qualifies as an Unforeseen Cost?
Below are the full criteria list to help you understand what does and does not fall under this category.
✅ Qualifies as Unforeseen Costs
Structural & technical surprises
Site measurements differ from drawings, resulting in extra labour/material
Non-level floors, slanted walls needing adjustment
Hidden pipes/cables discovered during installation
Weak or unexpected substrate requiring new fixing methods
Extra supports needed due to site conditions
Additional cut-outs for electricity, ventilation, data, etc.
Material & delivery issues
Materials become unavailable after quotation, so an alternative needs to be used
Sudden market-driven material price increases
Unexpected increases in transport or shipping costs (e.g., urgent deliveries)
Site & execution-related issues
Limited access, no lift, or obstacles causing extra installation time
Delays caused by other parties on site
Extra travel/return visits due to site coordination problems
New safety or building regulations introduced after quoting
Unexpected parking costs etc.
Small additional items
Extra LED strip due to dimensional change
Extra panel/screen to cover an unexpected gap
Small filler or finishing piece needed onsite
❌ Does NOT Qualify as Unforeseen Costs
Customer-requested changes
Design, material, hardware or finish changes requested by customer
Adding extra furniture or components after the approved quotation
Drawing revisions due to changed scope
General business risks
Quote miscalculations by Cutr (e.g. underestimated labour or transport costs)
Damage caused by the production partner or their suppliers
Internal delays unrelated to site conditions
Need Help?
If you have questions about an approved cost or how your budget is being used, please reach out to the Cutr team or reply directly to the notification email.