Simulator Build Budget Planner
Break your total budget into your own categories, add a contingency, and see exactly where you stand, with no product prices supplied.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
Remaining
8000
A worksheet, not a price list
This tool supplies no default prices for a screen, projector, launch monitor, or any other category. Every category label and every amount is yours to define, because actual prices vary enormously by brand, feature tier, and market, and a stale default number would do more harm than good. What this tool does is the arithmetic: summing your categories, applying your contingency percentage, and comparing the total against your stated budget.
Why a contingency line matters
Simulator builds routinely turn up costs nobody planned for: an electrical outlet that needs moving, unexpected flooring work, or a mounting bracket that costs more than expected. A contingency percentage, applied to your category total rather than your overall budget, reserves room for exactly this kind of surprise without you having to guess which specific category will run over. Setting it to zero is a valid choice if you are confident in your numbers, but the tool will not hide that choice from you in the results.
Reading an under, over, or exact result
Being under budget is not necessarily better than being right at it; it might mean you have room for an upgrade, or it might mean you are missing a category you have not thought of yet. Being over budget names exactly how much you would need to trim, whether that comes from one category or several. An exact match, though rare, likely still deserves a second pass to make sure your category list is genuinely complete.
What comes before and after this step
Room and layout decisions are largely irreversible once made, while most budget categories remain flexible until you actually purchase something. That is why the build sequencer places budget setting after the room, layout, and impact zone stages, not before them. Once your budget is set, the break-even planner can help you think through whether owning makes sense against an alternative like a nearby simulator lounge or range.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool provide default prices for screens, projectors, or launch monitors?
No. Every category label and amount is yours to define, since actual prices vary enormously by brand and market and a stale default would do more harm than good. The tool only handles the arithmetic: summing categories, applying contingency, and comparing to your budget.
Why include a contingency percentage at all?
Simulator builds routinely turn up costs nobody planned for, like an outlet that needs moving or unexpected flooring work. A contingency applied to your category total reserves room for a surprise without you having to guess which category will run over.
Is being under budget always a good sign?
Not necessarily — it might mean room for an upgrade, or it might mean you are missing a category you have not thought of yet. Being over budget names exactly how much you would need to trim, from one category or several.