Project overheads
The Code of Estimating Practice, seventh edition, published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in 2009 suggests that project overheads (sometimes referred to as site overheads, preliminaries, general cost items or expenses) are:
The cost of those site-specific project costs that cannot allocated to individual activities and which are not included in all-in or composite rates. Among other things, these costs may include site management, huts, safety precautions, job-related insurances, bonding costs, telephone, water, electricity costs, etc. The essential characteristic is that these overheads serve more than one activity, e.g. tower crane, skips, general site labour, etc. However, in practice some resources that could be allocated to an activity, e.g. scaffolding for falsework, are included in the preliminaries because of the contractor’s preferred method of pricing. |
See also: Preliminaries.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Attendance.
- Bills of quantities.
- Chartered Institute of Building.
- Code of Estimating Practice.
- Contract sum.
- Cost consultant.
- Cost control.
- Cost plans for construction projects.
- How to calculate head office overheads and profit.
- Mark-up.
- Method statements.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- Overheads.
- Pre-construction information.
- Preliminaries.
- Prime cost contract.
- Profit and overheads on construction projects
- Provisional sums.
- Standard Method of Measurement.
- Tender documents.
- Tender.
Featured articles and news
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.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.