Commodities in the construction industry
In economics, a commodity is a basic good or service that cannot be differentiated from a product of the same type emanating from another producer – it is interchangeable with that product. Wherever encountered, the market treats the commodity (whether a good or service) as equivalent irrespective of manufacturer or country of origin. Examples include agricultural products (sugar, rice, wheat), raw materials (copper, iron, aluminium), steel and so on.
A kilogramme of copper of a specific purity cannot be differentiated from any other kilogramme of copper of the same purity, whether by mine, country of origin or smelter. This general lack of distinction means that commodities are usually sold on the basis of price which will be determined by market value.
This quality of having little or no differentiation is called ‘fungibility’, and commodities are either fully- or substantially fungible. A further quality is that commodities are usually the basis for making other goods or services.
In contrast to commodities, goods such as cars may be highly differentiated in the market based on criteria such as the manufacturer, design, features, fuel consumption, etc.
In recent years, the definition of a commodity has expanded to include currencies, indexes, phone minutes and bandwidth.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
BIM for structural reinforcement modelling
From the basics to the future from our Cohesive BIM wiki.
ECA skills recharge at the House of Commons
As electrical sector feels skills shortage bite.
The impact of pandemic and new legislation on courses
CIOB Academy’s course take-up inked to external factors.
An artist, philanthropist and ex-Army helicopter pilot
Q and A with self-representing artist, Hannah Shergold.
Building Safety Regulator appoints permanent director
And publishes three-year strategic plan.
Update on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
Introducing changes to make it more effective from 2024.
2023 CIOB photography competition
Shortlist announced for 2023 public choice award vote.
The last of the Victorians. Book review.
Grimsby's Kasbah: where’s that?
An exotic name that is shrouded in mystery.
This weeks guest editor, Ankita Dwivedi of Firstplanit.
Fropm practice to research and the business of materials.
Terms, histories, theories and practices.
Types of work to existing buildings - repurposing of buildings
Alteration and everything else before demolition.
2023 HSE data on workplace injuries and ill health
And CIOB's response.
Building Safety Act and Secondary Legislation
Presidential update from CIAT's Eddie Weir PCIAT.