KEEPING

YOUR

COSTS

TO A MINIMUM
WITHOUT IMPACTING ON QUALITY

CONSTRUCTION
COST GUIDE
SECOND HALF

2014

One Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Telephone 01 685 7219 Email info@buildcost.ie Website www.buildcost.ie

Construction Cost Guide

SCSI TENDER INDICES

Construction Tender rates continue to rise steadily in 2014, up 4.4% from
this time last year.
Construction tender prices increased by 2% since the beginning of 2014.

Source: Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland

Buildcost Commentary on the recent SCSI Tender Indices

The Tender Indices as produced by the SCSI for the First Half of 2014 show an increase of 2%
on construction tender rates since the beginning of the year. The trend of steady increases
continues. Rates are beginning to inch back up from a 33% drop from the peak of the boom in
2007 and when rates bottomed out in 2010.
The continued stabilising of tender rates in the First Half of 2014 are due to a number of factors.
International demand for materials such as steel, metal etc., rising fuel prices and running costs
have led to material price increases that can no longer be absorbed within tender rates. The rates
also reflect the recent steady increase in construction activity in Dublin.
The indices would indicate that the below cost tendering evident over the previous few years
seems to be at an end or at the very least has reduced. Below cost tendering is an unsustainable
practice and many construction companies have restructured and downsized to suit their current
workloads or are concentrating their efforts abroad for new work opportunities.
The property industry in the major cities has shown signs of moderate recovery over the past 12
months with a significant increase in property transactions. There would also appear to be a
demand for new housing in certain locations in Dublin and office space in the City Centre. This
coupled with major Government expenditure on construction and infrastructure projects will assist
in increasing work opportunities for contractors for the foreseeable future.
This trend seems set to continue and there is more confidence in the market, particularly in
Dublin. Despite this, tender rates still remain very competitive and are still some 26% below
their peak in 2007.

CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE SECOND HALF 2014

Construction Cost Guide

CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE

Our construction cost guide sets out typical building costs prepared from our experience and
cost database.
The cost ranges are representative of standard specifications and should be used as a
guidance only. These costs exclude FF&E, siteworks, VAT, professional fees, future inflation
and other developers costs etc.

COMMERCIAL OFFICES

Cost Range

Sub Urban Offices - Naturally Ventilated

1,400 - 1,700 per m2

City Centre Offices - Air Conditioned

1,700 - 2,100 per m2

Office Fit Outs (Excludes Corporate HQ)

(See refurbishment figures below)

REFURBISHMENT / FIT-OUT WORKS

300 - 1,200 per m2

Cost Range

Minor upgrade of internal finishes

300 - 500 per m2

New internal finishes, new cellularisation and upgrade

of mechanical & electrical services

500 - 900 per m2

New internal finishes, new cellularisation, new mechanical &

electrical services and minor facade enhancement works
Refurbishment / Fit-Out Works to existing Georgian Buildings

HIGH TECH INDUSTRIAL UNITS

900 - 1,200 per m2

2,500 - 4,500 per m2

Cost Range

Warehouse with no Office - Low Specification

600 - 700 per m2

Warehouse with 10% Office - Medium Specification

700 - 900 per m2

Warehouse with 10% Office - High Specification

RETAIL
Shopping Centre - Anchor Unit
Shopping Centre - Shop Unit
Shopping Centre - Covered Mall

CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE SECOND HALF 2014

900 - 1,050 per m2

Cost Range
600 - 800 per m2
700 - 1,000 per m2
1,700 - 2,500 per m2

Construction Cost Guide

EDUCATION

Cost Range

Primary Level (DOE allowance)

925 per m2*

Secondary Level (DOE allowance)

925 per m2*

Sports Hall (DOE allowance of 30% uplift on basic building costs)

Third Level (Excludes FF&E)

1,203 per m2
1,700 - 2,200 per m2

*Basic Building Cost only - external allowance of 12.5% and abnormal costs to be added

LEISURE

Cost Range

Hotel - 3 Star

1,500 - 1,900 per m2

Hotel - 5 Star

1,900 - 2,500 per m2

Cinema

1,600 - 2,500 per m2

Sports Hall

1,200 - 2,000 per m2

Swimming Pool / Leisure Centre

1,500 - 2,200 per m2

* All of the above figures exclude FF&E

HEALTH

Cost Range

Primary Care Centre

1,400 - 1,800 per m2

Hospital

2,600 - 3,200 per m2

* Health budgets exclude medical equipment

RESIDENTIAL

Cost Range

Terraced Houses

850 - 1,000 per m2

Semi Detached Houses

900 - 1,100 per m2

Apartments
Crche "Grey Box"
SCSI House Rebuilding Guide

SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS

1,200 - 1,400 per m2

850 - 1,100 per m2
(See page 4)

Cost Range

Roads, Footpaths, Enclosures and Services

100 - 200 per m2

Civic / Public Realm Areas

200 - 500 per m2

CARPARKS
Surface Car Parks

Cost Range
2,600 - 3,500 per space

Multi Storey Car Park

11,000 - 15,000 per space

Single Basement Car Park

31,000 - 40,000 per space

Double Basement Car Park

35,000 - 50,000 per space

* Costs will depend on efficiencies

CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE SECOND HALF 2014

Construction Cost Guide

SCSI HOUSE REBUILDING GUIDE

This guide is intended to assist you in insuring your home and briefly explains some of the more
important aspects of house insurance. It also seeks to emphasise the importance of adequately
insuring what is probably your most valuable possession. Remember that home insurance policies
differ, some covering more than others; hence the importance of examining your policy carefully
and insuring for the correct amount.

Source: Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland

1. The figures shown in the table are a MINIMUM base cost guide for your house insurance.
2. The figures are based on estate-type houses built in the Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford,
Limerick and North West and North East regions since the 1960s. They exclude:
(a) properties with more than two storeys or with basements; (b) one-off houses with special
design features or period houses; and, (c) apartments/residential flats. The insurance of
apartments is typically covered in the block service charge. Owners should confirm with their
management companies/agents that their apartment block has been valued for insurance
purposes, and that the insured value is current.

3. The figures assume a basic quality specification with normal foundations, timber frames or
brick/block walls, concrete tiled roof, concrete ground floor and timber first floor, softwood
flush doors and hardwood double glazed windows, painted plaster to walls, plastered ceilings,
standard electrics and central heating. The sum insured should be increased to allow for better
than average kitchen fittings, built-in wardrobes, finishes and any other items not normally
included in an estate-type house .

CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE SECOND HALF 2014

Construction Cost Guide

SCSI HOUSE REBUILDING GUIDE

4. House contents such as carpets, curtains, furniture, etc., are not covered by the figures.
5. No allowance has been made for the cost of outbuildings or patios. The figures do, however,
allow for a concrete path around the house, for driveway repairs and regrassing and fencing.
6. The figures allow for demolition costs, professional fees incurred in reinstatement and VAT at
13.5% on building costs and 23% on professional fees.
7. The amounts included for professional fees have been calculated to cover the following
services:
- Building surveyor/architect: prepare working drawings and specification, and administer the
Building contract.
- Quantity surveyor: invite and examine tenders, process payments and agree final account.
- Engineer: advice on structural issues.
- Fees associated with the preparation, but exclude additional fees that may arise out of the
introduction of the Building Control Regulations etc.
8. The costs are based on building rates in March 2014.
More Information can be found at
http://www.scsi.ie/house_rebuid_cost_guide_2014

CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE SECOND HALF 2014

Construction Cost Guide

PLANNING AND FIRE CERTIFICATE CHARGES 2014

PLANNING CHARGES

CHARGE

Provision of dwelling house or apartment

65 for each dwelling

Domestic extension/other improvements

34 for each dwelling

Other buildings (i.e. offices, commercial etc.)

80 or 3.60 per m2 (whichever is greater)

up to a maximium of 38,000

Use of land as golf or pitch & putt course

500 or 50 per 0.1 hectare

Outline Planning Permission

75% of full planning permission charge

up to a maximium of 28,500

Rentention Application

Maximium charge of 125,000

The above planning charges are based on Dublin City Council charges and excludes development
levies such as contributions towards roads, water, sewerage, parks and other facilities provided
by the council.

FIRE CERTIFICATE CHARGES

CHARGE

Standard Application

125 or 2.90 per m2 (whichever is greater)

up to a maximum of 12,500

A Seven Day Notice Application

250 or 5.80 per m2 (whichever is greater)

up to a maximum of 25,000

A Regularisation Fire Safety Certificate Application

500 or 11.60 per m2 (whichever

is greater) up to a maximum of 50,000

CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE SECOND HALF 2014