Guide to Using the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 - Other - Page 63
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For example, a developer constructing an office block or shopping centre and
renting the space, or constructing a block of flats and selling them on completion,
has little incentive to increase the capital costs. However, sustainability legislation
requires greater consideration of environmental issues and, in turn, operating costs,
and as tenants or purchasers become more concerned with environmental matters
and running costs, these trends will shift.
How does the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 assist
consideration of whole life costs?
While the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 does not specifically include the term ‘whole life
costs’ it encourages greater consideration of this subject and emphasises it in a
number of ways.
Initial Project Brief
The Stage 1 Core Objectives require the development of Project Outcomes and the
Project Budget. Both of these aspects have an influence on whole life costs, as set
out below.
Project Outcomes
Financial outcomes can be core Project Outcomes. This topic is covered in the next
chapter.
Project Budget and Cost Information
The Project Budget does not need to be restricted to capital costs. It might include
the cost of the design fees and may also include annual maintenance fees that will
be allocated when the building is in use. The capital costs themselves may be split
into a number of subject headings: for example, advance utility improvements or
furniture installations after the main Building Contract has been concluded. Similarly,
Cost Information may comprise the latest cost estimate of the capital costs, as well
as more holistic cost exercises. The scope of Cost Information and the associated
advice will depend on the specific project requirements of the client and the associated
services of each member of the design team.
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