Building costs to 'hit abnormal highs'

Costs of construction products manufactured in the UK are set to soar due to rocketing energy prices. Research from cost consultant Franklin + Andrews has found that suppliers are expecting rises of between 10% and 25% on certain materials during 2006.

The cost of bitumen products could go up by 25% this year, while bricks are likely to go up by around 10% - see left.

The strength of the impact of high fuel prices on different building products would be determined by how much energy is needed to manufacture the products, F+A said in its latest Inflation Analysis report.

For example, for bricks produced through a heavily energy-reliant process, fuel costs account for a quarter of the brick's overall cost.

F+A said: "Contractors looking to tender for work will undoubtedly be cautious with these rises in mind. With a stable supply of work to select from this will result in higher tenders and these costs being passed on to developers."

The firm said as a result building costs were likely to "hit abnormal highs" during 2006.

See the next edition of QS News for more research from F+A on the costs of sustainable buildings.