Capital gain in the construction industry
Capital gain is a term used in the world of finance, particularly in relation to taxation.
When an asset is sold (or disposed of) at a profit (ie the difference between the sale price and the original purchase price), the seller is said to have made a capital gain and may be liable to pay capital gains tax on the profit.
Capital gains can be made on the sale of chargeable assets, including property, jewellery, works of art, vintage wines, and stocks and shares.
Capital gains example:
- An art collector sells a painting for £750,000.
- They originally bought it 10 years previously for £250,000.
- Therefore, they have made a profit (capital gain) of £500,000 and will be liable to pay capital gains tax on that £500,000 (assuming there are no allowances or exemptions in force).
In the UK, capital gains tax must be paid on gains from chargeable assets such as:
- Most personal possessions worth more than the threshold, apart from a car.
- Property that is not a main home.
- A main home if it has been let out, used for business or is very large.
- Shares that are not in an ISA or PEP.
- Business assets.
For more information see: Capital gains tax.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.





















