Conceptual cost planning

Cost planning of construction projects has been used for over 50 years to provide a methodology for keeping control of a capital build project.

If used correctly it provides a method of controlling the design process to meet the budgetary requirements of the client. It enables the quantity surveyor, with the design team, to design a building to a cost, rather than costing a design after it has been completed.

The control of costs can only be achieved through the actions of the whole project team, including the client. It is the role of the quantity surveyor, using cost planning techniques, to facilitate this and fulfil the client's requirements within the agreed budget.

This section is maintained by Max Wilkes of Faithful + Gould.

RICS standards: Cost reporting

Feature: APC competencies: design economics and cost planning