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 benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.