Cost
The term ‘cost’ in the construction industry generally refers to the amount that has to (or will have to) be paid to receive goods or services. It may also have wider interpretations, such as the environmental cost or the social cost of a particular purchase or action, lifecycle costs (rather than capital costs), and so on.
Generally cost is not fixed. There is uncertainty at the beginning of a project about precisely what is required, and whilst this is clarified as the project proceeds and more decisions are made, even when a firm price has been accepted from suppliers, this is likely to change as a result of variations to requirements, events such as exceptionally adverse weather (relevant events), the rate of inflation (fluctuations), and so on.
There are a number of key articles about cost on Designing Buildings Wiki, and each one includes links to further, more detailed information:
- Budget.
- Capital costs.
- Construction costs.
- Construction price and cost indices.
- Cost-benefit analysis in construction.
- Cost control.
- Cost engineering.
- Cost information.
- Cost of building.
- Cost of ownership.
- Cost overruns.
- Cost plans.
- Cost vs price.
- Front-loaded costs.
- Estimate.
- Hard costs v soft costs.
- Intangible cost.
- Irrelevant cost.
- Landed cost.
- Lifetime cost.
- Life cycle assessment.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- Operational costs.
- Other development/project costs.
- Quantity surveyor / Cost consultant.
- Relevant cost.
- Resource cost.
- Risk costs.
- Whole life cost.
Featured articles and news
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Heat pumps, vehicle chargers and heating appliances must be sold with smart functionality.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
New-style degrees set for reformed ARB accreditation
Following the ARB Tomorrow's Architects competency outcomes for Architects.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.