Economic life of a building
Several definitions have been developed to assess or specify the life of buildings, structures and their components, from the perspective of different stakeholders.
Economic life refers to the amount of time an element is in service before its replacement is more advantageous economically than the continued maintenance that will be required to keep it in service.
Economic life may be a key consideration of owners, particularly if they are managing the an asset from which they wish to ensure an adequate return on the investment they have made by purchasing or building it and operating it.
However, as there is no general legally-agreed definition of economic life, if it is to be included in contract documentation as a performance requirement, it is important that it is carefully defined within those contract documents and that it is consistent with all other requirements in the contract documents.
Other definitions include:
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
From alabaster to travertine – how many types do you know?
Free BRE guide to indoor lighting
Well-designed lighting helps maintain a healthy physiological and psychological balance.
Making BREEAM contractually enforceable
Transferring the risk for obtaining the target BREEAM rating.
A simple but effective way to determine the root cause of an issue.
BSRIA report suggest the European market will double to 415 million Euros by 2023.
Why a wellbeing strategy is vital for property managers.
An ECA briefing for members about the commercial implications of leaving the EU.
A crucial moment on any project - and fraught with danger.
The performance gap from a Northern Ireland perspective.
Book review: Buildings of protestant nonconformity.
Design and testing for health and wellbeing - free download from BRE.