02 - The Most Expensive Phrase in Any Project: “We’ll Figure It Out Later.”
Every project has a moment where someone says it.
Not maliciously. Not irresponsibly. Often with the best intentions.
“We’ll figure it out later.”
In architecture, development, and construction, that phrase is almost always the beginning of unnecessary cost, delay, and frustration.
Why It Sounds Harmless (But Isn’t)
At face value, “we’ll figure it out later” usually means:
The schedule is tight
Information is incomplete
The decision feels premature
There’s pressure to keep things moving
And sometimes, deferring a decision is reasonable.
The problem isn’t deferral. The problem is deferral without acknowledgment of risk.
Where “Later” Shows Up Most Often
In practice, this phrase tends to appear in a few predictable places:
1. Zoning and Code Interpretation
Early questions about:
Use classification
Height or bulk limits
Parking interpretations
Fire separation strategies
Get postponed because they feel abstract.
Later, those “details” become redesigns, variances, or hearing delays.
2. Structural and MEP Coordination
Early assumptions like:
“We’ll fit it in the plenum”
“The structure can handle that”
“MEP will figure it out”
Later becomes:
Lower ceilings
Larger shafts
Equipment conflicts
Costly change orders
3. Circulation, Access, and Real-World Use
Test fits may technically work, but questions like:
How trucks actually turn
How people really move
Where equipment truly lands
Get deferred in favor of aesthetics or speed.
Later, operations push back — and layouts change.
4. Budget and Constructability
Early design decisions quietly lock in cost:
Building depth
Structural grid
Envelope complexity
Mechanical strategy
By the time pricing happens, the expensive decisions have already been made — and are much harder to undo.
Why “Later” Is So Expensive
Because later usually means:
Consultants are already deep into documents
Schedules are compressed
Permitting clocks are running
Contractors are pricing assumptions instead of realities
At that point, every change costs:
More money
More time
More trust
What could have been a conversation becomes a compromise.
The Projects That Succeed Do One Thing Differently
They don’t eliminate uncertainty — they confront it early.
Successful teams:
Identify which decisions are reversible — and which aren’t
Flag assumptions explicitly
Pressure-test feasibility early
Make informed decisions sooner than feels comfortable
They understand that clarity early is cheaper than flexibility later.
The Architect’s Role in This
Good architecture isn’t about knowing everything upfront. It’s about knowing what needs to be decided now.
The most effective architects:
Ask uncomfortable questions early
Explain tradeoffs clearly
Identify downstream impacts
Help clients decide — not delay
That’s not just design. That’s leadership.
The Takeaway
“We’ll figure it out later” isn’t a mistake — it’s a warning.
It signals:
Risk being deferred
Decisions being avoided
Costs quietly accumulating
The projects that perform best aren’t the ones with all the answers early — they’re the ones that address the right questions at the right time.
At Studio Leadbeater, that mindset shapes every project.
Because in the real world, clarity is the most valuable deliverable.