Skim page for a construction cost plan

The Skim 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 skim 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 Skim page for a construction cost plan ?

The skim page for a construction cost plan is simply the page that lists out all of the tasks that are involved in the skim 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 Skim page

Its purpose is to summarise and total all of the various costs associated the skim 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 skim package page should have the following:

• Logo of the company producing the construction cost plan
• Title of the page e.g. Skim
• Address of the project
• Date of the cost-plan
• All of the elements for the skim package including supply and installation of the skim
• 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 skim page for a construction cost plan

Skim costs can be found easily by contacting a local plasterer business.

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

Always get a price for supply and installation of the skim. Most businesses will do this and don’t try and say ‘I will provide the materials’ because you will just not save yourself any time, money or energy.