The Structural Timber Estimating Guide
2019 has been developed by leading cost management organisation Rider Levett
Bucknall (RLB) to provide financial and technical information for construction industry professionals.
The guide provides information for early estimates and budget preparation, equipping cost managers and
estimators with a range of prices and data that can be used to demonstrate
value for money. The structural timber industry is responding well following
the announcement in 2017 that five central government departments will adopt a
presumption in favour of offsite construction for all publicly-funded projects.
The demand for structural timber systems has increased year-on- year and the
industry is innovating and gearing up to meet demand
The
new adaptation of the Timber Estimating Guide is an authoritative source that
raises awareness of the benefits of using timber frame systems as a core
structural component. RLB adopted a cohesive approach when creating the guide
by collaborating with a range of construction professionals, including clients,
contractors, architects, engineers, house builders and quantity surveyors.
The guide provides information to aid budget estimation
and preparation, which should be established as early as possible in the construction lifecycle
so that improved value and efficiencies can be incorporated from the design stages. The guide provides cost estimates to aid the specification of thermal, acoustic and airtightness properties,
which can vary hugely depending on the buyers, specifiers and purchasing
managers’ objectives.
The
costs detailed in the guide are based on three timber frame projects, with a
summary and detailed cost breakdown for each. The model projects include a
three-storey apartment block with 12 units, a two-storey housing development with 100 units, and a
two-storey hotel with 40 ensuite bathrooms and a reception area. The guide
provides:
A detailed overview of how structural
timber companies tender for projects, providing all-inclusive services that encompass the design,
manufacture, delivery and installation of the structural frame to create a
single point of responsibility
A sufficient amount
of data to allow for a comparison between forms of construction. Each of these methods can be benchmarked against industry standards to ensure
consistent quality across all applications.
An explanation of
the benefits that structural timber
systems provide and how it can enrich construction projects.
RLB have provided a summary specification of all
services, materials, plant and labour that is included within the costs for the
three model projects. Also included
within the costing tables are the commonly selected extras and options required
by clients and specifiers. Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural
Timber Association (STA), said: “We welcome this guide and the in-depth
findings. The STA commends Ian Dacre and Rider Levett Bucknall UK for compiling
the Timber Estimating Guide and would also like to thank the STA members who contributed
to this research.”
Further RLB guides on cross laminated timber (CLT) and
structural insulated panel systems (SIPS) will be released in autumn 2019. RLB
has also created a Timber vs Masonry Report to support quantity surveyors by
drawing cost comparisons between drawings and outline specifications for a
collection of house designs. You can download a copy from the Publications
section on the RLB website at www.rlb.com
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