CONSTRUCTION

COST CALCULATOR

RLB INTELLIGENCE
MARKET INSIGHT

Cities around the world are shaped by their built environment and constructed with the intent to change lives for the better.

Each day millions of construction professionals seek ways to access the latest cost information to keep up to date with current market trends. Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) clients have all the information they need to assist in making informed and successful project decisions with RLB Intelligence.

Construction Cost Indicator
Estimate of the current range of costs across the globe key building types.
RLB TPI % Change
Calculates the construction cost differential between two selected dates.
RLB Cost Relativity
Calculates the construction cost differential between two selected cities.
Market Sector Activity
The current status within the development activity cycle for key construction sectors of selected cities.
RLB INTELLIGENCE
CONSTRUCTION COST INDICATOR

Estimates of the current range of costs across the globe for key building types. Rates are in national currency.

Construction Cost Indicator
Construction Cost Indicator
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
All data within this application for TPI by Date, TPI by location, Building Costs, and Market Activity are current as at Q4 2023 and are subject to change. The results shown are indicative only and are to be used as a guide only.

Rider Levett Bucknall accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of results or for any losses whatsoever and howsoever arising from any use of or reliance upon any calculations or conclusions reached using this indicator. You should consult your local Rider Levett Bucknall office for further information and verification on the applicability of the results to your circumstances.
RLB INTELLIGENCE
RLB TPI % CHANGE

Calculates the construction cost differential between two selected dates.

icon
RLB TPI % Change
relative to
for
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
All data within this application for TPI by Date, TPI by location, Building Costs, and Market Activity are current as at Q4 2023 and are subject to change. The results shown are indicative only and are to be used as a guide only.

Rider Levett Bucknall accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of results or for any losses whatsoever and howsoever arising from any use of or reliance upon any calculations or conclusions reached using this indicator. You should consult your local Rider Levett Bucknall office for further information and verification on the applicability of the results to your circumstances.
RLB INTELLIGENCE
RLB COST RELATIVITY

Calculates the construction cost differential between two selected cities.

RLB Cost Relativity
RLB Cost Relativity
relative to
for
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
All data within this application for TPI by Date, TPI by location, Building Costs, and Market Activity are current as at Q4 2023 and are subject to change. The results shown are indicative only and are to be used as a guide only.

Rider Levett Bucknall accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of results or for any losses whatsoever and howsoever arising from any use of or reliance upon any calculations or conclusions reached using this indicator. You should consult your local Rider Levett Bucknall office for further information and verification on the applicability of the results to your circumstances.
RLB INTELLIGENCE
MARKET SECTOR ACTIVITY

The current status within the development activity cycle for key construction sectors of selected cities.

Market Sector Activity
Market Sector Activity
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
The RLB Construction Market Activity Cycle wave graph represents the theoretical “Boom / Bust” business cycle of the construction economy. The market activity arrows highlight the respective position of the major sectors within the construction economy within each global RLB office. Data is current as at Q4 2023.
RLB INTELLIGENCE
GLOSSARY OF TERMS

This is a complete list of the terms used throughout our Construction Cost Calculators,

a
b
  • Base relativity index for the dates selected are not available for these cities

    Please note that the appearance of this message does not indicate an error within the system. Where 'Base relativity index for the dates selected are not available for these cities' is displayed in the Tender Price Index module, the system has been unable to locate a value, as the user-selected date parameter is outside the beginning or the end of the series. The explanation is that, for example, the indexation series for some cities commences at January 2000, whereas others commence at January 2004.

  • Bid Price Index

    The Bid Price Index facility enables the user to identify general levels of construction tender pricing in one of two ways:

    1 By location: Identification of bid price index percentage difference at a selected point in time, between two user-selected locations. The Base Location selected by the user is the 'starting point' against which the difference is measured in percentage terms. The Alternative Location is the user's chosen comparison location. A positive answer depicts a market in which the general level of bid pricing in the Altenative Location exceeds, or is forecast to exceed, that of the Base Location.

    2 By date: Identification of bid price index percentage movement in a given location, over a selected period of time. The Base Date selected by the user is the 'starting point' against which movement is measured in percentage terms. The Alternative Date is the user's chosen date for comparison. A positive answer depicts a market in which the general level of bid pricing has risen, or is forecast to rise, over the selected time period.

  • Building Works

    Building works including substructure, structure, finishings, fittings, management items, and builder's work in connection with services. General exclusions are: Loose furniture and fittings, subdivision partitions in office buildings, private telephone systems, tenancy works, site works and drainage, land cost, legal and professional fees, interest/opportunity cost on money, sales and other value added taxes.

  • bn

    Billion, defined as 1,000 million, 1x109 and always expressed to 3 decimal places after the point, e.g. 1bn = 1.000bn

c
  • CBD

    Central Business District

  • CFA

    Construction Floor Area: the area of all building enclosed covered spaces, measured to the outside face of the external walls including covered basement and above ground car park areas.

  • CFA*

    Construction Floor Area: the area of all building covered spaces, measured to the outside face of the external walls.

  • Car Parks; Basement

    CBD locations incur penalties for restricted sites and perimeter conditions.

  • Car Parks; Open Deck Multi-Storey

    Minimal External Walling.

  • Cinemas; Group complex 2,000-4,000 seats

    Exclusions: Projection equipment, seating.

  • Comparator index not found

    Please note that the appearance of this message does not indicate an error within the system. Where 'Comparator index not found' is displayed in the Tender Price Index module, the system has been unable to locate a value for the Alternative Location's or the Alternative Date's index, as the user-selected date parameter is outside the beginning or the end of the series. The explanation is that, for example, the indexation series for some cities commences at January 2000, whereas others commence at January 2004.

  • Construction Cost Indicator

    The Construction Cost Indicator is a facility through which the user can obtain an indication of the likely general level of construction cost in a given location at the date shown below the result of the search. The costs stated in this section reflect the standards and specifications normal to the country or Region. Variations in cost may be experienced for factors such as site conditions, climatic conditions, standards of specification, market conditions etc. General exclusions are: Loose furniture and fittings, subdivision partitions in office buildings, private telephone systems, tenancy works, site works and drainage, land cost, legal and professional fees, interest/opportunity cost on money, sales and other value added taxes.

  • Construction Rates: Generally

    Construction Cost Indicative figures include Building Works and Building Services. Range of cost depicts current building costs expected should tenders be called in the respective city. General exclusions are: Loose furniture and fittings, subdivision partitions in office buildings, private telephone systems, tenancy works, site works and drainage, land cost, legal and professional fees, interest/opportunity cost on money, sales and other value added taxes.

f
g
  • GFA

    Gross Floor Area: Total of all floor areas, measured to internal face of external wall; includes unenclosed floor areas, but EXCLUDES areas of other building types, e.g. Car Parking structures (whether below or above ground) integrated within an office building.

h
  • High

    High, in respect of the Rider Levett Bucknall Construction Cost Indicator, is the upper end of a range of cost levels. The range of cost levels is affected by multiple factors interacting together, including but not limited to, building shape, size, location, orientation, specification, internal efficiency and timing of receipt of tenders for the works.

  • Hotels: Five Star

    85-110m2 GFA per Room Total, unless otherwise stated; 45-55m2 GFA per Room Accommodation; 40-55m2 GFA per Room Public Space; EXCLUDING FF&E unless otherwise stated.

  • Hotels: Four Star

    65-85m2 GFA per Room Total, unless otherwise stated; 40-45m2 GFA per Room Accommodation; 25-40m2 GFA per Room Public Space; EXCLUDING FF&E unless otherwise stated.

  • Hotels: Three Star

    40-65m2 GFA per Room Total, unless otherwise stated; 30-40m2 GFA per Room Accommodation; 10-25m2 GFA per Room Public Space; EXCLUDING FF&E unless otherwise stated.

i
  • Industrial Buildings

    Quality reflects a simplified form of construction suitable for light industry. Exclusions: Hardstandings, Roadworks and Special Equipment.

  • Investment Grade offices

    Investment Grade offices are buildings designed for the mid-range of their respective rental markets.

l
  • Low

    Low, in respect of the Rider Levett Bucknall Construction Cost Indicator, is the lower end of a range of cost levels. The range of cost levels is affected by multiple factors interacting together, including but not limited to, building shape, size, location, orientation, specification, internal efficiency and timing of receipt of tenders for the works.

m
  • M

    Million, 1x106 and always expressed to 3 decimal places after the point, e.g. 1M = 1.000M

  • MEP

    Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing.

  • Malls

    Fully finished and serviced space.

  • Market Sector Activity

    Market Sector Activity diagrams show the general movement of market activity in the respective sectors of the construction industry at an identified location, at a given point in time. When collated for a Region, they show, in percentage terms, the proportion of locations in which a particular market sector is, at that point in time, in the Trough Zone, the Mid Zone or the Peak Zone.

p
  • PCC

    Pre-Cast Concret

  • Prestige Office Buildings

    Prestige office buildings are defined as landmark office buildings located in major CBD office markets and which are pace-setters in establishing rents.

  • Private Hospital 45-60m2 GFA per bed

    Low-rise hospital with minimal operating theatre capacity, including specialist and service areas; excluding loose furniture, special medical equipment.

  • Private Hospital 55-80m2 GFA per bed

    Low-rise hospital with major operating theatre capacity, including extensive specialist and service areas; excluding loose furniture, special medical equipment.

  • Public Space

    In Hotels; Public space includes Service areas.

r
s
  • Small Shops and Showrooms

    Excluding Floor finishes, plumbing (other than hot and cold wter to sink fittings in each shop), shop fittings and air-conditioning.

  • Specialty Shops

    Partially finished, with ceilings, unpainted walls, power to perimeter point. Excluding Floor Finishes, shop fittings and air-conditioning.

  • Standalone building

    Indicates a Car Park structure which is a standalone entity, not in association with another building type.

  • sf

    Square foot/feet

  • sq feet

    Square Feet - This is the toggle in the Construction Cost Indicator. Users clicking on this button will convert the answer shown in the Indicator into Currency per square foot. If the calculation already shows Currency per square foot, no change will be effected.

t
  • Tender Price Index

    The Tender Price Index facility enables the user to identify general levels of construction tender pricing in one of two ways:

    1 By location: Identification of tender price index percentage difference at a selected point in time, between two user-selected locations. The Base Location selected by the user is the 'starting point' against which the difference is measured in percentage terms. The Alternative Location is the user's chosen comparison location. A positive answer depicts a market in which the general level of tender pricing in the Altenative Location exceeds, or is forecast to exceed, that of the Base Location.

    2 By date: Identification of tender price index percentage movement in a given location, over a selected period of time. The Base Date selected by the user is the 'starting point' against which movement is measured in percentage terms. The Alternative Date is the user's chosen date for comparison. A positive answer depicts a market in which the general level of tender pricing has risen, or is forecast to rise, over the selected time period.

  • tr

    Trillion, defined as 1,000,000 million (one million million), 1x1012 and always expressed to 3 decimal places after the point, e.g. 1tr = 1.000tr

y