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Insitu concrete work
ÌýUnitTypical low rate £Typical mean rate £Typical high rate
Insitu concreteÌýÌýÌýÌý
Plain concrete (mix GEN 3)ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Foundations poured on or against earthm3708095
Blinding bed not exceeding 150 mm thickm38085100
Filling hollow wallsm3808595
Reinforced concrete (35 N/mm2)ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ground beamsm37582.590
Isolated foundationsm3708095
Beds 150-450 mm thickm37585100
Slabs 150-450 mm thick m38595105
Walls 150-450 mm thickm37585100
Columnsm390105120
FormworkÌýÌýÌýÌý
Plain formworkÌýÌýÌýÌý
Side of foundations not exceeding 250 mm heightm8910
Sides of ground beams and edges of beds 250-500 mm m101112.5
Sides of upstands not exceeding 250 mm thickm8.59.510.5
Vertical wallsm2253035
ReinforcementÌýÌýÌýÌý
High yield steel bar reinforcementt650700750
Fabric reinforcement ÌýÌýÌýÌý
A142, 2.22 kg/m2m222.53
A193, 3.02 kg/m2m22.533.5
Worked finishesÌýÌýÌýÌý
Trowellingm211.251.5
Power floatingm222.252.5
Rates in tenders for reinforcement since July have been more variable than usual due to the uncertainty of supply following the collapse of ASW. Virtually all reinforcement is now imported and the enforced change in suppliers created temporary shortages and a sharp price rise. Some stability has now returned to the reinforcement market but at a higher price. Basic reinforcement prices are now 10-20% higher than in July. Some contractors appear to be pricing at pre-crisis levels, but many are including a significant element of risk in their pricing of reinforcement due to the continuing uncertainty of future supplies.
Price changes
Ìý% change since spring 2002
Reinforcement (see note page 59)6%
Formwork3.50%
Precast concrete blocks 3%
Mortars3.50%
Structural steelwork 3%
First fix carcassing 4%
Plywood–2.5%
Stainless steel sheet roof coverings2.50%
Fibre cement goods3%
Standard timber flush doors5%
Standard timber window frames 5%
Ironmongery 3.50%
Glazing (generally)2%
Plasterboard partitions and linings3%
Hardwood wood strip flooring6%
Ceramic tiles –3%
Copper tubes–6%
Wires and cables–2%
Precast concrete paving slabs1%
Coated roadstone5%
Gas oil fuel9%
Key indicators
% change October 2001 - October 02% change April 2002 - October 02
Retail prices indexÌýÌý
Headline rate (RPI)210%1.3
All items excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX) – government's target index230.00%1.1
All items, excluding mortgage interest payments and indirect taxes (RPIY)240%1.3
Harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) 140%0.7
Industry generallyÌýÌý
Materials and fuels purchased by manufacturing industry200%-0.4
of which materials 350%0.2
of which fuel–8.5–4.5
Materials and fuels purchased by manufacturing industry excluding food, beverages,ÌýÌý
tobacco and petroleum industries–1.50.4
Output prices of manufactured products60%0.4
Output prices of manufactured products, excluding food, beverages, tobacco and petroleum70%0.4
Construction industryÌýÌý
Construction materials4.21.4
Housebuilding materials370%0.9
Machinery and equipment (UK manufacture)100%0.3
Electrical machinery and apparatus (UK manufacture)–0.2–0.8
Source: Office for National Statistics. October 2002 figures are provisional. Machinery and equipment includes mechanical engineering items such as pumps, taps, valves, lifts, cooling and ventilation equipment. Electrical machinery and apparatus includes electrical engineering materials such as electricity distribution and control apparatus, wires and cables and lighting.
Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services in England and Wales
hourly rates (£) since 3 Septmerber 2001hourly rates (£) from 2 December 2002
OperativesÌýÌý
Technical plumber and gas service technician947.00%10.7
Advanced plumber and gas service engineer852%9.63
Trained plumber and gas service fitter730.00%8.25
Apprentices ÌýÌý
4th year of training with NVQ level 3708.00%8
4th year of training with NVQ level 2641%7.24
4th year of training 564%6.37
3rd year of training with NVQ level 2557%6.3
3rd year of training 458.00%5.18
2nd year of training 406%4.59
Adult trainees ÌýÌý
Third – six months of employment6.387.21
Second – six months of employment 6.116.91
First – six months of employment 571%6.45
Wage agreement summary for major wage-fixing bodies
OperativesAgreement bodyWage rates effective sinceDetails inDate of next review
Builders and civil engineeringConstruction Industry Joint Council24-Jun-02Cost Update 31 May 2002 Spon’s Architects’ and Builders’ Price Book 2003Likely to be June 2003
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø & Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC)10-Jun-02Cost Update 31 May 2002 Spon’s Architects’ and Builders’ Price Book 200309-Jun-03
PlumbersThe Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services in England and Wales02-Dec-02Spon’s Architects’ and Builders’ Price Book 2003 See aboveLikely to be 01/09/2003
Scottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board for the Plumbing Industry28-Oct-02See above 07/04/2003 (fourth and final part of two-year agreement)
Heating and ventilation operativesJoint Conciliation Committee of the Heating, Ventilating and Domestic Engineering Industry07-Oct-02Cost Update 13 September 2002 Spon’s Mechanical and Electrical Services Price Book 2003Likely to be 01/10/2003
ElectriciansThe Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry07-Jan-02Cost Update 9 November 2001 Spon’s Mechanical and Electrical Services Price Book 200306/01/2003 (second part of three-year agreement)
Scottish Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry07-Jan-02Cost Update 8 March 200206/01/2003 (second part of three-year agreement)