How Do Professionals Ensure Early Renovation Budgets Are Accurate?

I’m seeing a lot of homeowners struggle with budgeting before starting renovations. Even with rough ideas, it’s easy to underestimate labor, materials, or unexpected site conditions. That often leads to stress, delays, or even project pauses once work starts.

Some people rely solely on contractor quotes, while others bring in specialists to break down every detail. I recently read that construction cost estimating consultants can be really helpful at this stage they review plans, check quantities, and provide a realistic budget before any major decisions are made.

For those who’ve used them or worked alongside them, how accurate are their estimates in practice? Do they really prevent surprises, or is there still a lot of adjustment once construction begins? Any tips on when to bring them in for maximum benefit would be really useful.