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
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
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.