Cost model
Whole-life carbon: Prestige offices
Using the example of a building in the City of London, Gareth Roberts of Sturgis Carbon Profiling explains how new European standards for whole-life carbon assessment can make big savings
Cost model: Libraries
What is in store for the library? Daniel Pomfrett of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company, and Stuart Hill of Schmidt Hammer Lassen, look at design and cost challenges for the next generation of buildings
Cost model: Temporary venues
With the popularity of global sporting events continuing to grow against a background of economic uncertainty and the need for reducing public expenditure, Hein le Roux of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company, examines the pros and cons of using temporary venues for sporting events
Cost model: Residential
Office-to-residential conversions may become increasingly popular, so what does it cost to turn a commercial space into a home? Ben de Waal and Chris Amesbury of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company, look at the conditions needed for success and the key financial considerations
Cost model: City of London offices
With uncertain prospects for finance, recovery in office development is likely to remain cautious. Refurbishment and reuse will remain alternatives but the low-carbon agenda will transform both these and new build, say Iain Parker and Graham Jones of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company
Cost model: Food retail
The combination of recession and increasing interest rates will result in reduced delivery of retail space over the next few years. This means food retailers must maximise existing assets, say Paul Zuccherelli and Ben McCafferty of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company
Cost model: Part L for residential
Housing developers face some interesting choices when complying with the new Part L. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon and Tom Lelyveld of Aecom consider some of the options
Cost model: Shopping centre refurbs
Many shopping centres hit by the recession need to reposition themselves to be fit for the upturn.
Cost model update: Small projects
In this latest update, Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon reviews the capital costs of primary schools, social housing and small industrial buildings
Cost model: Land remediation
Plenty of sites will need land remediation when the housing market recovers, and the slow market at the moment provides an opportunity to use innovative, sustainable techniques. Duncan Sanders and Derek Vernon of Davis Langdon take a look at the commercial drivers
Cost model: Office refurbishments
As more owner-occupiers look for cheaper, more efficient and sustainable offices, refurbishment may provide the answer. Simon Rawlinson and Ian Harrison of Davis Langdon report
Cost model: Indoor arenas
Even in recessionary times, entertainment creates opportunities and in the live music business, promoters want new, purpose-built venues. Simon Rawlinson and Martin Jennings of Davis Langdon examine how gigs are changing the face of the indoor arena
Cost model: Universities
Universities are vital in maintaining the UK’s place in the knowledge economy and have been major building clients over the past 10 years. How will higher education clients approach tougher times? Simon Rawlinson and Laurence Brett of Davis Langdon look at emerging trends in the sector
Cost model: green retail refits
Green retail refurbishments can be good for business as well as the planet. Davis Langdon Engineering Services explains the options
Cost model update: Public sector
With the construction market in reverse and tender prices in freefall, it’s crucial to have the latest building costs. This update has been compiled by Max Wilkes and Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon
Mini cost model update: Small projects
The worsening economic climate and sustainability requirements have affected costs for small projects such as affordable housing, nursing homes and extra-care homes
Cost model: Airport terminals
UK airport operators need to make substantial investments in infrastructure to prepare for continuing long-term demand for domestic and international flights. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon reports
Cost model: The benefits of TV via LAN
Replacing conventional TV distribution systems with LAN technology saves money and prevents low-tech problems such as ghosting, says Davis Langdon Mott Green Wall
Cost model update: Small projects
Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon revisits industrial units, primary schools extensions and primary health care centres to investigate how recent changes to legislation, specifications and general price increases have affected building costs
Cost model: Car parks
Car parks may not be the most glamorous of construction projects, but designing them is more complex than you might think. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon outlines the issues that must be thought through and provides a fully comprehensive cost list
Cost model: Student residences
The academic year has started and a fresh intake of students is moving into brand new housing. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon explores this dynamic and price-conscious market
Cost model: Further education
England’s tired further education colleges need about £5bn of work to bring them up to date. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon explores the design, procurement and cost issues
Mini cost model: Budget hotels
The budget hotel sector is expanding, moving into new locations and offering its customers new facilities. Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon looks at their design, procurement and costs
Cost model: Car showrooms
Those temples to the automobile can be lavish enterprises, with double-height glazing, blazing lights and costly stone floors. And that’s before you even get into the realms of internet cafes and branded clothing. Maxwell Wilkes of Davis Langdon offers an unbeatable all-in price
Cost model: Small industrial units
They’re flexible, investor-friendly and easy to build. But how much does it cost to construct small industrial units? Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon explains
Cost model: Museums
Museums and galleries have to be more high-tech, sustainable and visitor-friendly than ever before. Neal Kalita of Davis Langdon runs through the funding, design and environmental issues as well as breaking down the costs of a new-build extension for a museum
Cost model: Business parks
Business parks are back, but this time they need to be sustainable and mixed-use. Neal Kalita of Davis Langdon examines how developers can meet the evolving needs of planners and occupiers without breaking the bank
Cost model: Infrastructure
Neal Kalita of Davis Langdon looks at the design considerations, procurement issues, financial risks and sustainable technologies associated with the delivery of infrastructure for a brownfield, mixed-use development
Cost model: Swimming pools
Britain's swimmers haven't had much success recently - so if we want a gold rush in 2012, we must start building competition pools now. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon examines the key design and economic issues and breaks down the costs of a 50 m pool with dry sports facilities
Cost model: LIFT healthcare schemes
Primary healthcare is undergoing a quiet revolution, creating a network of one-stop shops. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon examines the LIFT initiative and the new wave of healthcare buildings it is funding
Cost model: Renewable energy
In this month’s engineering services cost model, Davis Langdon Mott Green Wall presents a round-up of the principal options for renewable energy and where they can be best installed
Cost model update, February 2005
In this special cost model update, Davis Langdon looks at 18 building types – including offices, stadiums, theatres, schools, hospitals, housing and supermarkets – and adds the latest figures and current cost drivers
Cost model: Off-site manufacture
The market for off-site manufacture is expanding rapidly, boosted as it is by public sector investment programmes. Davis Langdon looks at the cost benefits, barriers to innovation and procurement issues involved in OSM
Cost study: Belgrave house
Developer Grosvenor Estate wanted a sleek office block that could hold its own opposite London’s Victoria Station and attract firms from the West End and the City. Cost consultant EC Harris, architect Squire and Partners and contractor Sir Robert McAlpine explain how the project team achieved all this at 4% less than the contract sum.
Cost study: Scottish gas headquarters
Built on a former gasworks (appropriately), Scottish Gas’ HQ is an elegant and energy-efficient addition to Edinburgh’s rapidly changing waterfront. Architect Foster and Partners, environmental engineer Battle McCarthy and cost consultant Davis Langdon explain how they did it.
Cost model: Affordable housing
Planning guidance on affordable housing quotas in private schemes has got developers and contractors scratching their heads and crunching their numbers. Here, Davis Langdon & Everest eases their pain …
Cost model: Urban design and infrastructure
Proposals for new communities in the South-east, and the redevelopment of existing urban sites will require large-scale investment in site infrastructure. In this month's cost model, we examine the cost and value drivers associated with infrastructure and site amenities
Cost study: Chemistry building, Queen Mary University
The design of a laboratory is an exercise in technical virtuosity married to an understanding of the social dynamics of a community of undergraduates and researchers. Architect Sheppard Robson, QS Turner & Townsend and contractor Geoffrey Osborne tackled one such demanding brief at Queen Mary University in London – here’s how they did it
Cost study: Chipping Norton leisure centre
The community of Chipping Norton was sorely missing a place to exercise. Architect Feilden Clegg Bradley brought the town right up to date with a design that favoured local materials and sunlight
Cost model update, February 2003
Building cost models are celebrating their 10th birthday. To mark this happy event, we outlines the factors that will be affecting costs in 2003 for 17 of the most common building types
Cost model: High-rise housing refurbishment
The government is reappraising the UK's social housing in order to meet its decent homes target by 2010. Here, Davis Langdon & Everest examines the costs, key issues and associated problems of refurbishing a tower block
Cost study: Phoenix Natural Gas HQ
Northern Ireland's gas supplier didn't want to have to pay astronomical energy bills, fall behind and end up suing itself for its own money. Cartwright Pickard Architects and QS Gardiner & Theobold explain how the team managed to avert this fate by delivering a building that not only achieved a BREEAM "very good" rating, but was also significantly cheaper than comparable offices in Belfast
Cost model: Energy savings
Following April's budget, landlords can claim tax relief if they invest in energy-efficient technologies. But will these savings cover the extra initial outlay? Patrick Murdock, head of capital allowances consulting at Cyril Sweett, and Simon Harris, associate in the firm's engineering services cost management team, use the case study of a typical office building to explain …
Cost study: Warwick University International Manufacturing Centre
Partnering and value engineering helped slice 5% off time and cost on the third phase of Warwick University’s International Manufacturing Centre. This Movement for Innovation demonstration project is reviewed by Warwick University, Edward Cullinan Architects and Northcroft
Cost study: Coin Street housing
Haworth Tompkins' design for Coin Street on London's South Bank has been hailed as a new model for high-density inner-city housing. In this project review Coin Street Community Builders, Haworth Tompkins Architects and Davis Langdon & Everest look at the project's design costs
Cost model: Prefabrication and preassembly
How can prefabrication and preassembly deliver the buildings that clients and designers aspire to? In this cost model, Davis Langdon & Everest looks at case studies of recent applications of preassembly techniques
Cost study: Housing for young people
Harlow Foyer, a Housing Forum demonstration project for housing young people, used timber-frame construction and partnering principles to come in on time and on budget.
Cost model: PFI projects
The government has swept aside opposition and committed itself to the use of the private sector in delivering public services. With private finance sure to have a growing role in the government’s building programme, it’s time to ask if PFI will be able to deliver. Davis Langdon & Everest reviews the performance of PFI projects and examines how the payment system works, as well as how it may develop in future
Cost model: Co-location centres
The co-location centre market is set for strong long-term growth. Davis Langdon & Everest and specialist M&E cost consultant Mott Green and Wall explain the high level of electrical and mechanical services required and provide a cost breakdown for a model development
Cost study: Oldham bus station
At-a-glance guideOldham Bus Station, Greater Manchester
Cost model: Standardised schools
As the James Review made clear, the future of schoolbuilding lies with low-cost standard solutions, much as it did in the fifties. Darren Talbot and Stuart Francis of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company, offer an overview of this burgeoning market and consider the costs
Cost model: Small projects
With low availability of space and pressure to reduce costs, more small projects are being built - especially with high demand for affordable housing, care homes and office fit-out. Peter Fordham, Simon Hughes and Paul Donlen of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company, cost it up
Cost update: Q2 2011
Everything’s on the up - input costs, inflation and, more positively, building operatives’ wages and construction earnings. Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company, reports
Cost model: Global manufacturing
With manufacturing in many countries showing strong signs of recovery, the development of new manufacturing facilities is required to keep pace with contemporary process and technologies, say Mike Wilcock and Miles Jenkins of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company
Cost model: small projects
In these difficult economic times, small projects are not to be sniffed at. David Holmes and Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon, an Aecom company, cost up some of the most common kinds
Cost model update: small projects
The recent changes to Part L could add up to 8% to the capital cost of building, says David Holmes of Davis Langdon. This is what that will mean for primary schools, social housing and small industrial units
Cost model: Part L
The upcoming changes to Part L will crank up the low-carbon agenda. The authors consider the costs and their influence on design
Cost model: Energy from waste
Simon Rawlinson and Matthew Hicks of Davis Langdon weigh up the costs and the risks of treatment solutions
Cost model: School refurbishment
Continuing this week’s focus on the renewal of the school estate, Simon Rawlinson and Paul Zuccherelli of Davis Langdon review one of the biggest challenges facing the BSF programme
Cost model update: Small projects
Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon revisits affordable homes, extra-care homes and nursing homes to find out what effect changes in regulations and tender price deflation have had on the sums
Cost model: Access control systems
This month Davis Langdon Engineering Services compares the features of various methods of access control for both people and vehicles
Cost model: Building in the Middle East
This month Davis Langdon Engineering Services looks at the unique environmental challenges posed by projects in the Middle East.
Mini cost model update: Small projects
Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon revisits industrial units, primary schools and primary healthcare centres to investigate how recent dramatic falls in tender prices have affected building costs
Cost model update, March 2009
With the construction market in reverse, it’s crucial to have the latest data. This cost update has been compiled by Max Wilkes and Simon Rawlinson, with help from Davis Langdon’s sector experts
Cost model: Data centres
As IT power increases, so energy use has grown enormously. Simon Rawlinson and Nick Bending of Davis Langdon examine the design and cost implications of low-energy data centres
Cost model: Retail development
This year marks the peak of the retail cycle. With the economy slowing, can future schemes deliver quality and innovation? Simon Rawlinson and Richard Taylor of Davis Langdon investigate
Cost model: Office refurbishment
A slowdown in the office market combined with an increasingly prominent sustainability agenda is creating opportunities for refurbishment specialists. Simon Rawlinson and Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon discuss how to maximise a building’s value with a well-targeted refurbishment programme
Cost model: Schools
It’s a critical time for BSF. With the programme’s first schools just open and large-scale building starting, local authorities will begin to find out if the effort has been worthwhile. Simon Rawlinson and David Long of Davis Langdon review the issues of design and delivery
Cost model: Laboratories
Laboratories are probably the most demanding buildings that it is possible to build. Here, Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon examines the factors that their designers have to take into account, from the need to attract world-class talent to energy efficiency
Mini cost model: Extra care housing
The number of elderly people is growing all the time and so are the accommodation options available to them. Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon breaks down the costs of ‘very sheltered’ homes
Mini cost model: Nursing homes
As people in the UK live longer, demand for residential care and nursing homes is growing – as are our expectations of the standard of living they will provide. Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon looks at how home developers and operators are rising to the challenge
Cost model: Visitor centres
Visitor centres give clients and their designers a great opportunity to make an architectural statement. At the same time, a lot of functions need to be squeezed into compact buildings. Neal Kalita of Davis Langdon examines how style and function can be reconciled
Cost model: Tall buildings
Cities throughout the UK are developing residential towers and landmark skyscrapers. Steve Watts and Neal Kalita of Davis Langdon consider the design and construction challenges of high-rise development and provide a cost model for a central London office tower
Cost model update, 2007
If you need budget costs for a wide range of building types, then Davis Langdon’s Cost Update is the ideal source. This update has been compiled by Neal Kalita, with input from Davis Langdon’s sector specialists
Cost model: Hotels
A hotel lives and dies on the quality of its service, but that relies on constructing the right kind of environment in the first place. Neal Kalita of Davis Langdon breaks down the costs
Cost model: Social housing
Our series on projects worth less than £1m returns with an in-depth look at affordable homes. Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon explains what kinds of schemes the Housing Corporation wants for its money, and breaks down the costs
Cost model: Primary healthcare
In the latest of our series of cost models for projects of less than £1m, Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon takes a look at the design considerations, funding, procurement, wider development issues and costs involved in the construction of a new-build primary healthcare centre
Cost model: School extensions
While Blair's shiny new city academies grab all the headlines, a host of smaller-scale improvements to existing schools is quietly being carried out. In the first of our series of mini-cost models, Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon reviews the key issues and costs involved in primary school extension projects
Cost model: Mixed-use city-centre schemes
Mixed use is increasingly the name of the game for town-centre developers. But can uses such as retail and residential really mix? Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon examines the practicalities and costs of mixed-use city-centre schemes
Cost model: City of London offices, Part L
What effect will the latest batch of carbon reduction measures have on building design? And how much more will it cost to meet the stricter rules? Building finds out and calculates the price of four Part L-compliant options for a City of London office
Cost model: Theatres
Davis Langdon looks at the design and value drivers, operational considerations, procurement issues and of course costs associated with theatre new-build and refurbishment
Cost model: Office design
After a few belt-tightening years, the City of London’s commercial sector is on the up again. In this cost model, Davis Langdon and Mott Green Wall examine the current market and recent advances in office design – and break down the costs of a high-quality, mid-rise City scheme
Cost model: Distribution centres
The distribution centre sector is buzzing at the moment, as businesses rush to outsource their goods-handling to logistics firms, and supermarkets adopt just-in-time delivery systems. Here we look at the key issues in affecting distribution centres – and, more importantly, breaks down how much one would cost
Cost model: Football stadiums
Developers are in the grip of football fever, building iconic stadiums that will revive out-of-town areas. We look at the challenges in design, security and crowd control and highlights the retail and hospitality potential
Cost model: Office refurbishment
Although recovery in the commercial market may be just around the corner, canny developers are already active generating good returns in refurbishment. Here Davis Langdon & Everest and Mott Green Wall look at the opportunities and constraints in bringing existing buildings bang up to date
Cost model: PFI hospitals
Capital investment is pouring into the NHS and the prognosis for improved performance is good. In this month's cost model examine the aims of the hospital programme, probe design issues, and break down the price of adding a trauma unit to an existing hospital
Cost model: Offices
Sustainability issues are rapidly rising up the corporate agenda. We consider the impact of sustainability measures on commercial buildings and reveal that going green need not cost the earth
Cost model: Supermarkets
Supermarkets are among the UK’s top 10 construction clients. In this cost model, Davis Langdon & Everest and Mott Green Wall examine the costs, specification and procurement of new build and existing stores
Cost study: Chipping Norton leisure centre
The community of Chipping Norton was sorely missing a place to exercise. Architect Feilden Clegg Bradley brought the town right up to date with a design that favoured local materials and sunlight
Cost study: Max Perutz lecture theatre
The Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge had nowhere for its Nobel Prize-winning scientists to present their research. So architect Feilden + Mawson and quantity surveyor Keegans created an auditorium extension on stilts – and here they reveal the details of how it was done
Cost model: 21st-century university building
The government wants 50% of 18-30-year-olds to be educated to degree level by 2010, and expects universities to compete in international research markets. So what buildings are required to help meet these objectives? In its latest cost model, Davis Langdon & Everest examines the 21st-century university building
Cost model: Tall buildings
Despite the fate of the World Trade Centre, developer interest in tall buildings hasn’t diminished – and will increase if the mayor’s plan for London is put into effect. Here Davis Langdon & Everest, Arup and Mott Green and Wall summarise the key issues and examine the costs of building a 48-storey tower in central London
Cost model: Hotel refurbishment
Despite sharp drops in profitability over the past year, hotel operators continue to invest heavily in refurbishment. In this quarter's cost model, Davis Langdon & Everest examines the key elements and challenges of hotel refurbishment, giving detailed costs for guest rooms and front-of-house areas
Cost model: Britain's schools
The government's investment of billions in Britain's schools has raised the question of how that money can be spent most efficiently and effectively. Davis Langdon & Everest examines education from the point of view of policy and design, and gives cost breakdowns for two typical school building types
Cost study: West Lothian College
A brand new campus developed on a greenfield site in Livingston, procured through PFI by trading in the former college site, was the best way to offer West Lothian College real value for money. HBG Construction and architect RMJM Scotland explain how they accommodated both traditional and high-tech styles – as well as students
Cost model: Effect of Part L revisions on business parks and offices
The revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations come into force on 1 April 2002, and many schemes on the drawing board will need to comply. Davis Langdon & Everest, in conjunction with consulting engineer Oscar Faber, explains how the revisions will impact on business parks and city centre offices
Cost model: Shopping centres
As government planning policy drives retail developments back into city centres, the design and construction issues of urban schemes have never been more complex. In this month's cost model, Davis Langdon & Everest, in association with architect Geoffrey Reid Associates, sets out the key issues and examines the advantages, disadvantages and costs of design options for open and covered malls
Whole-life cost study: Egg's Pride Park
Almost two years after its first call centre cost model, Building revisits Egg's Pride Park, updating the whole-life costs and comparing it with a model call centre by Citex
