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This post about Construction Costs was the most popular post in our Blog in 2014.
It was actually written in 2013 and it remained more popular than its successor published in 2014 – Building Costs in Ireland 2014.
We are glad to see that our series about Construction Costs remains a helpful reference for so many people. Thank you for visiting us!
Every year we share useful information to guide you on the costs for your construction project in Ireland. This will help you to estimate an approximate figure for your building costs.
You can check our other articles in this series here.
The Irish construction industry is slowly recovering. Predictions mention an 8% increase in value of output during 2014.
The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland reported that Tender Prices have bottomed out and have begun to increase due to a rise in input costs and commodity prices (oil etc). SCSI also reported that Construction tender prices grew by 2.2% in the second half of 2013, up from 0.9% in the first half of the year. The annual increase for 2013 was 3.1% and there is an increasing awareness amongst contractors and sub-contractors of the true cost of carrying out work and a reluctance to price below this, which ensures that projects are priced at viable levels.
Average Irish Construction Prices 2014
The average construction costs table is generated using Bruce Shaw’s Cost Database and sets out typical building construction costs.
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The building costs of 2013 are still a good starting point for your project.
Turner & Townsend‘s annual construction cost survey provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of construction costs in Ireland, in 2013.
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Labour rates and Construction Materials Prices
Turner & Townsend‘s annual construction cost survey provides labour costs and also the prices for some materials. Note the cost escalation forecast of 2%.
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In June 2014 CSO recorded that all building and construction materials prices increased by 1.3% in the year since June 2013.
The most notable yearly changes were increases in Sand and gravel (+33.6%), Hardwood (+14.5%) and Stone (+5.7%), while there were decreases in Fabricated metal (-3.4%), Other Structural steel (-1.8%) and Reinforcing metal (-1.5%).
Guide to Rebuilding Costs in Ireland
The Society of Chartered Surveyors publishes every year a guide to rebuilding costs in Ireland. This guide is intended to assist in insuring a house and the costs included are based on building rates as of March 2014.
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SCSI also provides a House Rebuilding Cost Calculator here, and a Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Calculator here. You can read more about this Incentive Scheme here.
Paul McNally Ecological Architecture in Cork has developed a very detailed and user friendly cost estimator for new build houses. Grab all the information you can and get your estimate here.
There are a number of other expenses that you should also consider when estimating your project. See some of the exclusions that may apply to your project here.
Additionally, with the newly amended Building Control Regulations, you are also likely to need to allow for:
Check out our other articles in this series
Click here for our most recent post about Construction Costs in Ireland (2014).
Calculating the construction costs for your project is not an easy task. Every year we publish some guidelines and average prices to help you getting an approximate figure.
Our posts about Construction Costs are very popular and provide useful information to guide you on the costs for your construction project in Ireland.
We have seen an increase in tender prices since contractors have realised that below cost tendering is not sustainable.
Although the reduction in construction prices has been reversed there is still very good value to be had, says Bruce Shaw’s latest report.
The newly amended Building Control Regulations will come into effect on March 2014. While these changes aim to protect the consumer lets not forget that the additional requirements imposed by them will also increase the overall construction costs.
Average Irish Construction Prices 2013
The average construction costs table is generated using Bruce Shaw’s Cost Database and sets out typical building construction costs.
(Click image to enlarge)
Labour Rates
Labour rates were reduced by 7.5% in February 2011. We could not find updated data in relation to 2013 rates but the lack of skilled workmanship may turn this trend around.
Construction Materials Prices
In May 2013 the CSO recorded that all building and construction materials prices increased by 1.1% in the year since May 2012. This is 1.9% less than what was recorded during the same period last year.
The most notable yearly changes were increases in Glass (+10.4%), PVC pipes and fittings (+9.9%) and Stone (+4.7%) while there were decreases in Paints, oils and varnishes (-5.8%), Other Structural steel (-3.8%) and Hardwood (-3.8%).
Guide to Rebuilding Costs in Ireland
The Society of Chartered Surveyors publishes every year a guide to rebuilding costs in Ireland. This guide is intended to assist in insuring a house and the costs included are based on building rates as of March 2013. Click here to read the full publication.
(Click image to enlarge)
The Society of Chartered Surveyors website provides a handy House Rebuilding Calculator. This calculator can be used as a guide to give you a minimum base cost for your construction project.
The above Irish Construction Costs should be used only as guidelines. There are a number of exclusions that you should also consider, and there is one that you cannot even calculate – risk.
Some of these exclusions will apply to your project others will not. But typically they will be:
Isabel Barros Architects - Wexford is driven by a passion for creating high quality contemporary Architecture. Our goal is to make good design available to the general public while maintaining a strong focus on the energy efficiency and sustainability of our designs.
A graduate of Lusíada University in Lisbon, Portugal, Isabel is a Senior Architect with over 30 years experience. She is a registered member of both the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Portuguese Association of Architects. Isabel is also Accredited in Conservation at Grade 3.
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