Cost & contract · Glossary
Pre-Build Lock
Also called: pre-build lock agreement, design-and-price lock
A Pre-Build Lock is a signed agreement that binds a full 3D rendering of the finished space to a fixed, line-by-line construction price before demolition begins. Once signed, the price changes only if the homeowner elects a change, and the contractor absorbs the cost of conditions discovered behind the wall.
Example
Under a Pre-Build Lock, a kitchen remodel priced at $85,000 against a signed rendering stays $85,000 even if opening the wall reveals outdated wiring the contractor must bring to code.
Why this matters for renovation projects
Pre-Build Lock shows up on permits, contracts, or estimates that Renology covers across LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and Denver. Most homeowners encounter the term once a project is already mid-flight, when there is no time to learn its mechanics without slowing the contractor. Knowing what it means before signing the contract is the difference between a clean project and an avoidable surprise. For how Renology calibrates cost ranges against permit valuations and contractor invoices, see the methodology.