This document provides cost guidelines for both commercial and domestic building projects in Ireland, as published by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) for 2016. For commercial works, it gives cost ranges per square meter for industrial developments, office developments, office fit-outs, and more. For domestic works, it provides cost guidelines for one-off house designs, house extensions, renovations, and apartments. Additional factors like site access and conditions that could increase costs are also outlined. The guidelines are intended to help clients and architects establish viable budgets for different types of construction projects in Ireland.
This document provides cost guidelines for both commercial and domestic building projects in Ireland, as published by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) for 2016. For commercial works, it gives cost ranges per square meter for industrial developments, office developments, office fit-outs, and more. For domestic works, it provides cost guidelines for one-off house designs, house extensions, renovations, and apartments. Additional factors like site access and conditions that could increase costs are also outlined. The guidelines are intended to help clients and architects establish viable budgets for different types of construction projects in Ireland.
This document provides cost guidelines for both commercial and domestic building projects in Ireland, as published by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) for 2016. For commercial works, it gives cost ranges per square meter for industrial developments, office developments, office fit-outs, and more. For domestic works, it provides cost guidelines for one-off house designs, house extensions, renovations, and apartments. Additional factors like site access and conditions that could increase costs are also outlined. The guidelines are intended to help clients and architects establish viable budgets for different types of construction projects in Ireland.
This document provides cost guidelines for both commercial and domestic building projects in Ireland, as published by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) for 2016. For commercial works, it gives cost ranges per square meter for industrial developments, office developments, office fit-outs, and more. For domestic works, it provides cost guidelines for one-off house designs, house extensions, renovations, and apartments. Additional factors like site access and conditions that could increase costs are also outlined. The guidelines are intended to help clients and architects establish viable budgets for different types of construction projects in Ireland.
BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDELINES A CONSUMER GUIDE PUBLISHED BY THE RIAI FOR 2016 DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL WORK A CONSUMER GUIDE PUBLISHED BY THE RIAI FOR 2016
CONTENTS
Introduction 03 1. Cost Guidelines for Commercial Works 05 2. Cost Guidelines for Domestic Works 08 3. Additional Cost Factors 11
Whether you are planning a new corporate headquarters or are simply extending your home, this will be a considerable investment of your resources. A registered architect has the qualifications, vision and experience to take you expertly through your building project. They will help you set a viable brief and budget, guide you through the planning process, obtain quotes for the work, manage consultants like surveyors and engineers, monitor the budget and administer the construction contract. Working with a professionally qualified and registered architect will be the best investment you will make as part of the building project.
To provide clients with guidance on building costs, the RIAI has compiled this document. The information contained in this document is for guidance only using average costs for the building types as set out, current at July 2016. Please bear in mind the high level of cost inflation in the industry due to market conditions.
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
Founded in 1839, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland supports and regulates the architectural profession and promotes the value that architecture brings to society for everyone’s benefit.
The RIAI engages with government, the professions, industry, clients and the public to promote quality in architecture; to deliver quality and sustainability in the built environment; to enrich our distinctive culture and heritage; to contribute to the competitiveness of our economy; and to improve quality of life for the people of Ireland, today and for generations to come. We also provide support services to Architects and Architectural Technologists.
The RIAI seeks to provide architects with the professional training, education and research support required to consolidate the role of the RIAI - and the architecture profession generally - as champions of exemplary practice in architecture and urbanism; and to provide high quality professional services, public education, outreach programmes, and consumer protection to clients, end-users and the public.
The RIAI would be pleased to assist with the selection of an RIAI member or any other queries arising from this document/booklet. You can find an architect on riai.ie searching the Practice Directory.
3 1. Cost Guidelines for Commercial Works
Civic Offices, Roscommon County Council
Best Public Building, 2016 RIAI Irish Architecture Awards Cost Guidelines 2016
1. Cost Guidelines for Commercial Works
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
• Basic “shell” industrial/warehouse unit
• Small area of offices, toilets and other accommodation • Traditional materials and construction methods • Basic finishes and services • “Greenfield” site (excluding fitting out)
Cost Range Per m2
Without Offices €650 to €800 With Offices €750 to €1,160
Note: • Where the extent of office accommodation, alternative methods of construction or high degree of services are required increase the cost by up to 30%.
SITE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS PARKS
• Provision of roads, pathways, parking and primary services etc.
Cost Range per hectare.
€170,000 to €545,000
Note: • In a Business Park type development where the standard of finishes and/or services is higher increase the cost by up to 30%
COMMERCIAL OFFICE DEVELOPMENT
• Speculative office development
• Basic “shell and core” • Naturally ventilated • Traditional materials and construction methods • Basic finishes and services • Landlord fit-out
Cost Range Per m2
Owner Occupier €1,550 to €2,400 Developer Standard € 1,400 to €1,800
Note: • For Air Conditioned offices (shell & core) and a requirement for higher standard finishes and services increase the cost range by approx. 35%
5 Cost Guidelines 2016
OFFICE FIT-OUT • Fit out of a “shell and core” office area • Plasterboard partitions • Standard suspended ceiling • Integrated lighting, wiring • Fitting of power, telephone and data outlets (using existing ways either in trunking or underfloor) • Standard doorsets, skirtings, architraves etc • Minimal fittings and fixtures
Cost Range Per m2
Basic Open Plan €1,400 to €1,800 High End €1,550 to €2,400 Corporate HQ €1,470 to €1,850 Open Plan Work Station €1,100 to €3,100
Note: • Heating, toilets, lifts etc. have already been provided • Using demountable partitions and/or high quality joinery the cost will increase • In open plan fit-outs where furniture is used to form work spaces the basic builders work cost will be less but the furniture cost is more • Costs for office fit-outs vary considerably due to level of quality required. • Increase the cost range by 20/30% if M&E is to be included
SINGLE OR TWO-STOREY HOUSE IN A SPECULATIVE
DEVELOPMENT OF EIGHT OR MORE HOUSES • Traditional materials and construction methods • Basic finishes and fittings
Cost Range per m2
€1,100 to €1,400
Note: • For a smaller group of houses, possibly larger in floor area and with higher quality finishes use a cost in the order of €1,300 to €1,600 per m2
APARTMENT IN DEVELOPMENT OF OVER EIGHT UNITS
• One or two-bedroom apartments • Medium to large speculative development • Traditional materials and construction methods • Basic finishes and fittings
Cost Range per m2
€1,600 to €2,100
Note: • Where the unit numbers are small the cost may increase, use a figure in the order of €1,900 to €2,400 • Where the size of the units are large with a high level of finishes and/or fittings, use a cost in the order of €2,200 to €2,700
6 2. Cost Guidelines for Domestic Works
Folding House by A2 Architects
Best House, 2016 RIAI Irish Architecture Awards Cost Guidelines 2016
2. Cost Guidelines for Domestic Works
SINGLE OR TWO-STOREY HOUSE TO “ONE-OFF” DESIGN
• Traditional materials and construction methods
• Reasonable level of finishes and fittings
Cost Range per m2
€1,500 to €1,900
Note: • Where the construction methods are non-traditional and/or the level of finishes and/or fittings is high, you should use a cost in the order of €2,000 to €2,500 per m2 • As is noted in the extension/renovation costs, the architect & the client need to be aware of the cost implications of high quality kitchens, bathroom fittings and tiling which can increase these guideline figures significantly
BASIC SINGLE OR TWO-STOREY EXTENSION
• Traditional materials • Standard construction methods • Strip concrete foundations • Insulated cavity walls • Flat or pitched roof • Minimum extent of services • Assumes standard site and access conditions
Cost Range per m2
€1,500 to €1,800
Note: • These figures will increase for small scale work • Where the new roofing involves work to the existing roof, use a minimum figure in the order of €2,000 plus per m2
8 Cost Guidelines 2016
SINGLE OR TWO-STOREY EXTENSION TO HOUSE
WITH RENOVATIONS TO EXISTING HOUSE
• Single/two storey extension to rear or side of house
• Traditional materials • Standard construction methods • Strip foundations • Insulated cavity walls • Flat or pitched roof • Moderate amount of services • New kitchen/bathrooms • Renovations/alterations to the existing house including services • Assumes standard site and access conditions
Cost Range per m2
€1,500 to €1,900
Note: • These figures will increase for small scale work • Where the new work is to a specific design and/or with high quality finishes use a figure in the order of €1,800 to €2,300 plus per m2 applies • In providing cost estimates the architect should make the client aware of the cost implications of high quality kitchens, bathroom fittings and tiling which can increase these guideline figures significantly.
WORK TO “PROTECTED STRUCTURES”
• Where the project involves work of any type to a “Protected Structure” additional costs will be incurred
9 Hidden Garden by McCullough Mullivan Architects Best House Extension, 2016 RIAI Irish Architecture Awards Cost Guidelines 2016
3. Additional Cost Factors
In using the RIAI Cost Guidelines, architects and their clients should be aware that these are based on standard site conditions, specifications, client requirements etc. The following is a non-exhaustive list of factors that may increase the cost ranges noted. This list is particularly relevant for domestic works, but should be considered for all work stages.
SITE ACCESS: • Is there suitable access to the site for plant, machinery and materials? • Will materials have to be brought in by hand through the existing building? • Can materials be stored on site? • Can waste materials and skips be stored on site? • Will existing features such as lawns, planting, patios etc. require protection and/or reinstatement?
SITE CONDITIONS: • Does the work require substantial disruption to the existing building? • Do existing services need to be relocated? • Are there any ground level difficulties? • Are there any unusual ground conditions?
SPECIFICATIONS AND FINISHES:
• Are there any existing finishes to be matched or replicated? • Does the client require any high quality or special finishes? • Does the client have special requirements for flooring, tiling, sanitary ware, bathroom, kitchen?
WHEN CONSIDERING BUILDING COST RANGES NOTED ABOVE,
THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS ARE EXCLUDED: • Value added tax at the applicable rate • Professional Fees • Planning costs, levies, fees and charges • Demolition and disposal of any deleterious materials • Abnormal ground conditions • Inflation • Furniture • Fitting-out
COSTS ARE BASED ON 2016 PRICES AND THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE NOTED: • The rates shown are average construction build only costs • They should not be used for insurance valuation purposes • The costs are based on typical specifications for each type of project as noted • Unique designs or challenging sites would not be within the ranges noted
11 Cost Guidelines 2016
NEW EDITIONS OF THE RIAI CLIENT/ARCHITECT AGREEMENTS ARE
