External works for a construction cost plan

External works page for a construction cost plan

Introduction

This is a simple article discussing the various elements of a construction cost-plan to attempt to articulate the best practice for construction cost-plans.

The External works package page is simply one page of around thirty pages that lay out, item by item, the works involved in a construction project.

What is the External works page for a construction cost plan ?

The External works page for a construction cost plan is simply the page that lists out all of the tasks that are involved in the External works package of a construction project.

In a typical construction costs plan there will be separate sections for the following elements (trades/work packages):

• Cover page
• Summary page
• Preliminaries
• Demolition & Strip-out
• Foundations & Drainage
• Structural steel
• Brickwork
• Roof
• Upper floors
• External Windows and Doors
• Stairs
• Mechanical (Plumbing)
• Electrical
• Fire services
• Internal studwork
• Internal blockwork
• Internal ceilings
• Skim coat
• Carpentry
• Decoration
• Floor finishes
• Kitchen
• Joinery
• Tiling
• Fixtures and fittings
• External works
• Underfloor heating
• External cladding
• Client supply items
• Contingency for unforeseen items

What is the purpose of the External works page ?

Its purpose is to summarise and total all of the various costs associated the External works package page.

It means that the Client or any of the team members can see exactly 1) what the final total is 2) where the costs are split through the work packages.

The External works page should have the following:

• Logo of the company producing the construction cost plan
• Title of the page e.g. External works
• Address of the project
• Date of the cost-plan
• All of the elements for the External works package including supply and installation of the External works works
• All of the costs for the works above
• A final total

Here is an example that we have mocked up specifically for this article.

Any other notes on the External works page for a construction cost plan

External works costs can be found easily by contacting a local External works business.

These businesses specialise in the complete External works packages so you can get a fixed price from them for the works.

Some of these companies will price for supplying all of the materials but if you want to provide the materials e.g. paving stones then they can provide a labour only price. But we warned, just because you are supply the materials don’t expect a substantial saving as most builders get discounts on materials anyway. If you buy materials at a retail price you may be better off just simply allowing the builder to supply and install.

This reduces your risk for this package as you are sub-contracting the risk out to someone who can handle it better (because they do nothing but External works and therefore know their costs a lot better than you would).

Order of measurement for the External works

External works budgets need to include for the following:

• Roads
• Drives
• Paths
• Grassed areas
• Trees
• Shrubs
• Hedges
• Fencing
• Gates