Independent Infrastructure Estimating
Built from First Principles
Independent Infrastructure Estimating
Independent infrastructure estimating, cost assurance and co
Who We Are
First Principles Estimating (FPE) provides independent cost estimating and commercial support across major infrastructure projects.
We support both clients and contractors — from early business case development and hard-dollar tender estimating, through to independent estimate reviews and delivery-phase cost assurance.
Specialist estimating and commercial support
Independent Cost Estimating
- First-principles cost estimates
- Class 5 to Class 1 estimates
- Independent and peer review
- Defensible cost positions for decision-making
- Transparent build-ups with clear assumptions
Business Case & Option Costing
- Early-stage and concept estimates
- Option comparison estimates
- Cost drivers, sensitivities and value engineering
- Report writing with cost narrative support
Contractor Tender Estimating
Contractor Tender Estimating
- Hard-dollar tender box estimating
- Pricing build-ups and methodology support
- Benchmarking and commercial sense-checking
- Bid review and submission support
Why FPE
Experience
First Principles Estimating provides independent cost advice grounded in real tendering and construction experience.
Our focus is on delivering transparent, first-principles estimates that clearly explain cost drivers, risk exposure, and key assumptions — supporting informed decision-making at every project stage.
Clients engage FPE because:
Independent and impartial advice
First-principles estimating methodology
Real contractor-side tender experience
Clear, transparent assumptions and build-ups
Practical understanding of construction risk
Outputs suitable for governance and approvals
About First Principles Estimating
Led by experience. Built on practical insight.
Dean Hooker is the Managing Director and Principal Estimator of FPE, with approximately 20 years' experience in infrastructure estimating and tendering. His career has progressed from site-based construction through Tier 1 contractor estimating leadership and into senior client-side estimating and advisory roles.
He has led and developed estimates across major infrastructure projects from early feasibility and investment approval through procurement, tendering and delivery, providing practical insight into both how costs are built and how they should be independently challenged.