Spon's Estimating Costs Guide to Minor Works, Refurbishment and Repairs (Spon's Contractors' Handbooks)

251 Pages·2003·0.86 MB·English

by  Bryan Spain

Spon’s Estimating Costs Guide to Minor Works,
Alterations and Repairs to Fire, Flood, Gale and
Theft Damage
Other books by Bryan Spain also available
from Spon Press
Spon’s Estimating Costs Guide to Plumbing and Heating (2004 edition)
Pb: 0-415-31855-6
Spon’s Estimating Costs Guide to Electrical Works (2004 edition)
Pb: 0-415-31853-X
Spon’s House Improvement Price Book: house extensions, storm damage work,
alterations, loft conversions and insulation (2003 edition)
Pb: 0-415-30938-7
Spon’s First Stage Estimating Price Book (2000 edition)
Pb: 0-415-23436-0
Spon’s Construction Resource Handbook (1998 edition)
Hb: 0-419-23680-5
Information and ordering details
For price availability and ordering visit our website www.sponpress.com
Alternatively our books are available from all good bookshops.
Spon’s Estimating Costs
Guide to Minor Works,
Alterations and Repairs to
Fire, Flood, Gale and Theft
Damage
Second edition
Bryan Spain
Spon’s Contractors’ Handbooks

LONDON AND NEW YORK
First published 1999 by Spon Press
Second edition 2004
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Spon Press
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
Spon Press is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005.
“To purchase your own copy copy of this or any of taylor & Francis or
Routledge's collection of thousands of ebooks please go to
www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.”
© 1999, 2004 Spon Press
Publisher’s Note
This book has been prepared from camera-ready copy supplied by the author.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested
ISBN 0-203-49720-1 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-57356-0 (Adobe e-Reader Format)
ISBN 0-415-31854-8 (Print Edition)
Contents
Preface vii
Introduction ix
Standard Method of Measurement/trades link xi

Part One:
Unit rates
1

Part Two:
Damage repairs
136

Part Three:
Approximate estimating
161

Part Four:
Plant and tool hire
173

Part Five:
General construction data
185

Part Six:
Business matters
202

Index 231

Preface
The need for accurate estimates that are prepared quickly is vital for all contractors
operating in the domestic construction market. Most contractors have the skills necessary
to carry out the work together with the capacity for dealing with the setbacks that are part
of the normal construction process. What they do not have is enough time to complete the
many tasks that must be carried out in order to trade profitably. This book aims to help
contractors to prepare their estimates by providing thousands of rates for small building
work. If used sensibly, the book can save valuable time for contractors in the preparation
of their bids and can also play a part in making sure that value for money is received from
sub-contractors.
I have received a great deal of support in the research necessary for this type of book
and I am grateful to those individuals and firms who have provided the cost data and
other information. In particular, I am indebted to Mark Loughrey of Youds, Ellison &
Co., Chartered Accountants of Hoylake (tel: [phone] or www.yesl.uk.com), who
are specialists in advising small construction businesses. Their research for the
information in the business section is based on tax legislation in force in December 2003.
Although every care has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the
publishers nor I can accept any responsibility for the use of the information provided by
any firm or individual. Finally, I would welcome any constructive criticism of the book’s
contents and suggestions that could be incorporated into future editions.
Bryan Spain
www.costofdiy.com
December 2003

Introduction
This edition of Spon’s Minor Works, Refurbishment and Repairs book follows the
layout, style and contents of previous editions. In the last edition, a new section was
introduced to cover damage caused by fire, flood, gales and theft. This was well received
and is included again at the request of those contractors and others involved in this
section of construction market.
The contents of this book cover unit rates, general advice on business matters and other
information useful to those involved in the commissioning and construction of building
work. The unit rates section presents analytical rates for work up to about £50,000 in
value. The business section covers advice on starting and running a business together
with information on taxation and VAT matters.
Materials
Small contractors are not able to purchase materials in large quantities so it has been
assumed that they will probably not receive the benefits of the discounts available to
larger contractor. An average of 10% to 15% discount has been allowed on normal trade
prices.
Labour
The hourly labour rates for craftsmen and general operatives are based upon the current
wage awards promulgated by the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council
(BATJIC) and the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services
(JIBMES).
General operative £9.80
Craftsman £12.00
Advanced plumber £14.50
These rates include provision for NIC Employers’ contribution CITB levy, insurances,
public and annual holidays, severance pay and tool allowances where appropriate.