Notes page for a construction cost plan

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

What is the notes page for a construction cost plan ?

This page lists any notes that the Client and all stakeholders must be aware of e.g. whether VAT is allowed for.

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 notes page?

Its purpose is to identify the notes page allowed in the construction cost plan.

It means that the Client or any of the team members can see exactly what is included or excluded in the cost-plan

Any other thoughts ?

Its important to remember to highlight any exclusions in the cost plan. For example point out that there is not VAT allowed for.

Other notes we can highlight as specifically excluded would be as follows:

• Professional fees such as Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, Structural engineer, building surveyor, party wall surveyor are excluded
• Public services connections for gas, water, electricity, sewer are all excluded
• Local authority fees are excluded
• Furniture and loose fittings are excluded
• Soft furnishings are excluded
• Security systems are usually excluded
• Flushing of existing drainage and heating systems are usually excluded
• Planning fees and consultants fee are usually excluded

It is important to state that if an items is not specifically included for in the cost plan then the work must be assumed excluded. This means the cost-plan states exactly what is allowed for in the budget and if it is not mentioned it is not included nor budgeted for.

There is nothing worse than an argument post contract about what was included and excluded in the original quotation.