Don't know if anybody else was listening to Wogan this morning, but he
mentioned a new homeowner's priceguide for building works newly
published by the Royal Institute of Surveyors - AIUI it contains guide
prices for 1300 different jobs you're likely you want to have a
tradesman in to do.

Not that this concerns anybody here of course as we DIY it(!), but it
sounds useful to me.

Here's the full press release below, plus a link to a PDF file about it:
http://tinyurl.com/kndhm (or
http://www.rics.org/NR/rdonlyres/6164AC45-4485-4F0A-B751-EA8B5178F68D/0/BCISBlad.pdf

Would be interested to hear comments about some of the sample guide
prices quoted in the pdf file.

David

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 29th September 2006 Embargoed: 6th October 2006 Ref: PR 108

Calculating the cost of builders
New guide to how much work on your property should cost

It is not easy trying to work out what is a fair price to pay for
remedial or renovation work to your home. Employing a builder, plumber
or electrician who is offering too good to be true quotes often proves
just as much a headache as those that seem excessively expensive.

The Property Makeover Price Guide*, launched today (6th October) at the
Autumn Ideal Home Show, by BCIS the Building Cost Information Service of
the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, is packed with useful
costs** and advice about how to budget for repair, improvement,
alteration and extension work.

The book is an essential guide to help homeowners, clearly setting out
what they should expect to pay for over 1,300 different types of work to
their home. It covers everything from inspecting blocked drains to
fixing window panes, replacing chimney pots to doing a loft conversion.
The guide also allows readers to adjust the figures for their particular
location.***

Example
• Building costs in Greater London are about 15 percent above the
national average.

• Prices also vary across the capital - you tend to find that prices
rise the further into town you go so building works in the London postal
districts are about eight percent higher than in outer London. In terms
of repairing a roof, you might be only looking at adding £100 to your
bill, but a new extension is likely to cost £1,000 more in Central
London than outer London.

• The cost of replacing 10m2 of three layer felt roof in Greater London
is about £800 and a 3x3m single storey extension with one window would
range from £16,000 to £19,500 (extension cost excludes work to existing
building)

• In comparison, in the East Midlands, which is one of the cheaper
regions, the roof repair might cost £650 and the extension £13000 - £16000.

BCIS spokesman, Joe Martin, says:
"If you are looking for a glossy Changing Rooms magazine to guide you
through makeover colour schemes this publication is not for you. But if
you are seriously interested in knowing how to employ skilled labourers
to undertake work on your property safely and legally for a fair price
you will not be disappointed.

"Knowledge is power and we expect this guide to demystify construction
and help drive the cowboy builders out of town. This is the first time
such information has been made available to the general public and we
are very excited about it."

The Guide includes a Glossary of building terms which helps crack the
construction cost jargon:

• Quote – the price offered by the contractor to do the work

• Preliminaries – these are the costs for items required to carry out
the contract other than the actual construction works eg. Travelling
costs, the hire of scaffolding or other items of plant, office or other
administrative costs

• Provisional sums –an amount included in the contract sum/agreed quote
for additional works that are not fully specified

• Variations – these are the works that arise during construction which
were not allowed for in the quote

• PC Sum (Prime Cost Sum) – a sum of money allowed for an item or work
or materials supplied by the client eg. Installation of a fire alarm
system by a specialist already selected by the client, or the cost of a
bathroom suite already purchased by the client

• Retention – sum of money set aside by the client (you) from the
contract sum until the works are completed to your satisfaction

There is also guidance on employing a contractor, Building Regulations
and planning and budgeting for developers.
Ends

About BCIS
The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) of the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors has over 40 years experience in building databases;
providing analysis, measurement and forecasting and interpreting and
advising on the use of construction cost data.

About RICS
RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is the mark of property
professionalism worldwide. It covers all aspects of property,
construction and associated environmental issues. RICS has 120,000
members globally and represents, regulates and promotes the work of
property professionals throughout 120 countries. RICS is governed by a
Royal Charter approved by Parliament which requires it to act in the
public interest. It is also a professional regulatory body approved by
Government (HM Treasury).

Notes for editors.

* The Property Makeover Price Guide: Organising and Budgeting for Home
Improvers and Developers
Price £17.99, published by BCIS October 2006. To order
www.bcis.co.uk/propertymakeoverguide/
Email: Sales AT bcis.co.uk, Tel: 020 7695 1500.

**The costs featured in the guide have been calculated from estimating
data collected by BCIS over the course of 40 years, which has until now
only been available to the construction industry. The data has been
cross-checked by an extensive survey of rates from small contractors.

***Location adjustor figures and a UK map showing the differentials are
also available on request

To find a chartered surveyor in your area, visit www.ricsfirms.com

For further information, contact Kate Bourne

Kate Bourne
Media Relations Officer
RICS Corporate Communications
T: +44 (0)20 7334 3736
M: +44 (0)7879 625273
E: kbourne AT rics.org.uk
W: www.rics.org