Construction Budget & Cost Control Tracker

Projects don’t go over budget overnight. It happens little by little—misplaced invoices, small overruns that add up, and poorly tracked estimates. If you’re not tracking costs in real time, you risk making decisions without all the necessary information.

I built the Construction Budget & Cost Control Tracker to fix this. It’s the system I use at 30X40 Design Workshop to stay ahead of costs, track invoices, and keep budgets aligned with actual project progress. Whether you’re an architect, builder, or contractor, having accurate, up-to-date financials means better decisions, fewer surprises, and stronger client relationships.

Get started now!



Take Control of Your Project Finances

This simple, structured spreadsheet helps you:

  • Set and manage project budgets with a clear, organized format.
  • Track and update estimates adjusting the original budget to keep everyone informed.
  • Track invoices in a dedicated log, so payments stay on schedule.
  • Reconcile costs against your Schedule of Values, ensuring financial clarity at every stage.
  • Create and track grouped Executive Schedule of Value items (sitework, shell costs, interior fit-out, landscaping) for phased projects.

Built using the pre-2004 CSI 16-division format, this system is optimized for residential and light commercial projects, making it an essential tool for architects, designers, and builders. I've done all the categorization for you and even set up filtering on all columns to help you sort for only the categories your project uses. My quick tutorial video walks you through the steps to use it.


What’s Included?

This tool is more than just a spreadsheet—it’s a financial tracking system designed for real-world projects.

  • Project Budget Overview – A structured breakdown of all construction costs, estimates, and budget changes.
  • Tracking Sheet – A dynamic reconciliation tool that compares actual invoices against the budgeted schedule of values to keep your finances on track.
  • Invoice Log – A monthly tracker to record and manage invoices, payments, and due dates.
  • Tutorial video to get you setup and tracking in less than 10 minutes.

Who Is This For?

  • Architects & Designers managing project budgets and tracking costs.
  • Small Firms & Solopreneurs who need a structured, repeatable system for cost control.
  • Project Managers & Contractors looking for a clear, organized way to manage invoices and budgets.

This is a simple budgeting, estimate + invoice tracking system for design professionals, construction managers + builders—without the complexity of expensive software.

Get started now!



Your Instructor


Eric Reinholdt, RA, NCARB
Eric Reinholdt, RA, NCARB

Hi, I'm Eric, an award-winning architect, entrepreneur and founder of 30X40 Design Workshop, a design studio located on Mount Desert Island, Maine. I'm also author of the Architect + Entrepreneur book series and creator of the most popular architecture-focused YouTube channel online. I've been designing simple, modern residential architecture for more than 28 years and a practitioner of all the novel, entrepreneurial business strategies I teach in my courses.


Get started now!



Key Features:

  • Pre-Populated CSI Divisions
    • Uses the pre-2004 16-division CSI format, covering all major categories for residential and light commercial projects.
    • Organized structure ensures all typical project costs are accounted for from the start.
  • Executive Schedule of Values (ESV)
    • Breaks down costs into logical project phases for accurate invoicing and financial tracking.
    • Helps ensure payments align with project progress.
  • Invoice Logging & Tracking
    • Dedicated invoice log tab to track payments, due dates, and amounts.
    • Organizes invoices by month to keep records clean and accessible.
  • Budget vs. Actual Cost Comparison
    • Multiple estimate columns to compare vendor quotes against the original budget.
    • Helps identify cost overruns before they become major issues.
  • Percent Complete Tracking
    • Allows you to track progress against the budgeted amount to monitor financial health.
    • Useful for aligning payments with work completed.
  • Filtering & Sorting for Easy Navigation
    • Quickly filter data to focus on specific cost categories or divisions.
    • Makes reviewing project finances faster and more efficient.
  • Automated Change Estimates
    • Tracks budget adjustments as estimates evolve.
    • Provides a clear picture of where costs are shifting.
  • Compatible with Excel & Google Sheets
    • .xlsx format works seamlessly in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets for cloud-based access and team collaboration.

This tool ensures you stay organized, track costs effectively, and make informed financial decisions throughout the project.

Tracking sheet view showing filters

Frequently Asked Questions


How long do I have access to the spreadsheet?
Lifetime access. After purchasing, you have unlimited access to this spreadsheet for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
Is this a course?
No, this is a spreadsheet-based system designed to help you manage project budgets, track invoices, and reconcile costs efficiently. It’s offered through my course platform for easy access and updates, and includes a tutorial to help you get started.
I'm a [ builder, architect, landscape architect, interior designer, contractor ] will this work for me?
Yes! This system is designed for anyone managing construction budgets and tracking project costs. Whether you're an architect, builder, landscape architect, interior designer, or contractor, this tool helps you: Set and manage budgets for your projects. Track estimates and actual costs to avoid budget overruns. Log and organize invoices to ensure payments stay on schedule. Reconcile costs against the approved schedule of values for better financial oversight. If your work involves estimating, invoicing, or keeping a project financially on track, this will save you time and give you a clear picture of your project’s financial health. Whether you're running a solo practice or managing multiple projects, this tool provides the structure you need.
How will I receive access?
As soon as you complete your order, you will be asked to create an account with Teachable. It’s where I host all my learning resources and it’s what will allow you a seamless experience as you navigate accessing and learning to use the spreadsheet.
How do you handle refunds?
Because this is a digital product that you access immediately, refunds are not offered. If you have any questions about whether this is right for you, email [email protected] and I’ll be happy to help.
I’m just starting my practice. Is this for me?
Yes! Starting with proven systems gives you a major advantage. This tool ensures you establish strong financial habits from day one.
What file format is the spreadsheet in?
The Construction Budget & Cost Control Tracker is provided in .xlsx format. It is compatible with: - Microsoft Excel (desktop & online versions) - Google Sheets (upload to Google Drive for cloud-based use) - Apple Numbers (may require minor formatting adjustments) After purchase, you can download the file immediately and start using it in Excel or Google Sheets for seamless project tracking.

Get the System That Keeps Your Projects Profitable

Budget overruns and lost invoices don’t have to be the norm. With this Construction Budget & Cost Control Tracker, you’ll always know where your project finances stand—and have the confidence to make better decisions.

Get started now!