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Price movements
  Unit London South-East East Anglia
  £ £ £
Sand cement screeds        
Cement:sand (1:4) screed, trowelled finish, 75 mm thick m2 10.5 9.3 8.25
Proprietary quick-drying screed 75 mm thick m2 13.5 12 10.75
Rubber latex flooring        
Latex levelling screed m2 2.25 2.15 2.05
Plastered coatings        
Thistle Hardwall and Thistle Multi-Finish plaster, 13 mm, to block walls m2 9 9 9
Thistle Multi-Finish skim coat, 3 mm thick, to plasterboard walls m2 4.35 4.25 4.1
Galvanized steel angle bead Ceramic tiling m 2.05 1.9 1.5
Ceramic tiling        
Standard colour wall tiles, 152 × 152 × 5.5 mm, waterproof adhesive and grout m2 42 39 34.5
Rubber/plastics/lino/sheeting        
Rubber sheeting, smooth finish, 3 mm, emulsion sealer m2 40.25 38.5 33
Vinyl safety flooring, 2.5 mm, seam-welded m2 25.4 23 22
Linoleum sheet, 2.5 mm m2 16.75 15.5 15
Painting        
One thinned coat and two coats matt emulsion        
– to plaster m2 1.95 2.15 1.95
– to concrete m2 2.25 2.25 2.15
One coat primer on wood before fixing, general surfaces not exceeding 300 mm girth m 0.5 0.5 0.45
Prepare, prime, one undercoat and two finish coats gloss paint to metal general surfaces not exceeding 300 mm girth m 2.2 2.2 1.95
Key indicators
% change on year
(to July 1999)
Retail prices index  
Headline rate (RPI) 1.3
All items excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX) – government’s target index 2.2
All items excluding mortgage interest payments and indirect taxes (RPIY) 1.6
Construction industry  
Construction materials –1.6
Housebuilding materials –1.3
Machinery and equipment 0.7
Electrical machinery and apparatus –2.5
Commodities  
Aluminium 9.5
Copper –6.9
Oil 69.6
   
Source: Office for National Statistics (July 1999 figures are provisional)
Materials prices
% change on year
(to June 1999)
Ready-mixed concrete 3.50%
Formwork 3%
Common bricks 10%
Aerated concrete blocks 2%
Pre-stressed concrete lintels 2.50%
Structural steel framing –10%
Sawn softwood members 2.50%
Plywood –12%
Concrete roof tiles 7.50%
Slates 4%
Built-up felt roofing 3%
Plasterboard 4%
Chipboard –3%
Standard softwood windows –2%
Standard softwood doors 2.50%
Glazing 1%
Plaster 2.50%
Ceramic wall tiles 7%
Vinyl floor coverings 1.50%
Paints 4.50%
Vitreous china sanitaryware 2.50%
Insulation 3%
Asphalt road coverings 5%
PVCu gutters and rainwater pipes 3%
Work categories with largest cost increases
Work category Index title % rise (July 1998 to July 1999)
3/44 Finishes: plaster 6.6
3/48 Finishes: painting and decorating 6.6
3/02 Excavation and disposal 5.6
3/11 Stonework 5.6
3/01 Demolitions 5.4
3/37 Windows and doors: steel 5.4
3/06 Concrete: in situ 5.3
3/45 Finishes: rigid tiles and terrazzo work 5.2
3/52 Pavings: slab and block 5.2
3/07 Concrete: formwork 5.0
Work categories with largest cost decreases
Work category Index title % fall (July 1998 to July 1999)
3/58 Pipes and accessories: copper 20.1
3/22 Cladding and covering: aluminium 9.5
3/13 Metal: decking 6.9
3/23 Cladding and covering: copper 6.5
3/17 Cladding and covering: coated steel 4.9
3/14 Metal: miscellaneous 4.8
3/18 Cladding and covering: plastics 2.3
3/34 Raised access floors 2.3
3/15 Cladding and covering: glazed 1.8
3/32 Linings and partitions: self finished 1.6
3/54 Fencing 1.5
Heating and ventilation operatives’ rates
£/³ó´Ç³Ü°ù
Foreperson 8.73
Senior craftsperson (and second welding skill) 7.79
Senior craftsperson 7.48
Craftsperson (and second welding skill) 7.17
Craftsperson 6.86
Operative 6.23
Improver 6.23
Assistant 5.87
Adult trainee 5.25
Mate (over 18) 5.25
Mate (17-18) 3.37
Mate (under 17) 2.43
Note: Rates do not apply to Northern Ireland
Plumbers’ rates
England and Wales  
£/³ó´Ç³Ü°ù
Operatives  
Technical plumber and gas service technician 8
Advanced plumber and gas service engineer 7.2
Trained plumber and gas service fitter 6.17
Apprentices  
Fourth year of training with NVQ level 3 5.98
Fourth year of training with NVQ level 2 5.42
Fourth year of training 4.76
Third year of training with NVQ level 2 4.7
Third year of training 3.87
Second year of training 3.43
First year of training 3
Adult trainees  
Third; six months of employment 5.39
Second; six months of employment 5.16
First; six months of employment 4.83
Note: The above rates include a tool allowance that was previously a separate weekly allowance
Scotland and Northern Ireland
£/³ó´Ç³Ü°ù
Plumber and gas service fitter 6.37
Advanced plumber and gas service engineer 7.12
Technician plumber and gas service technician 7.94
Plumbing labourer 5.62
Build-up of the annual cost of a notional 11-person gang
Foreperson Senior craftsperson (with seconds welding skill) Senior craftsperson Craftsperson Mate (over 18) Apprentice (intermediate) Sub-totals
Number 1 1 2 2 4 1  
Hourly rate from 23 August 1999 8.73 7.79 7.48 6.86 5.25 4.83  
Working hours a year 1748 1748 3496 3496 6992 1748  
£/²â±ð²¹°ù 15 260.04 13 616.92 26 150.08 23 982.56 36 708.00 8442.84 124 160.44
Incentive scheme @ 5% 763 680.85 1 307.50 1 199.13 1835.4 422.14 6208.02
Daily travel allowance 3.49 3.49 3.49 3.49 3 3  
Days/year 230 230 460 460 920 186  
£/²â±ð²¹°ù 802.7 802.7 1605.4 1605.4 2760 558 8134.2
Average daily travel fare 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3  
Days/year 230 230 460 460 920 186  
£/²â±ð²¹°ù 1909 1909 3818 3818 7636 1543.8 20 633.80
National Insurance contributions              
Average weekly gross pay each (subject to NI) 370.78 333.27 320.9 296.16 229.48 208.89  
% contributions (above £83 a week) 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2  
£ contributions each 35.11 30.53 29.02 26.01 17.87 15.36  
£ contributions/year 1615 1404.52 2670.21 2392.55 3288.07 706.5 12 076.86
Holiday credit and welfare contributions              
Number of weeks 52 52 104 104 208 52  
Total weekly contribution 40.04 36.68 36.68 32.66 25.06 19.19  
£ contributions/year 2082.08 1907.36 3814.72 3396.64 5212.48 997.88 17 411.16
Total per year             188 624.48
Training, including any trade registrations (1%)             1886.24
Severance pay and sundry costs (1.5%)             2829.37
Employers liability and third-party insurance (2%)             3772.49
Annual cost of notional 11-person gang (10.5 people actually working)             197 112.58
Annual cost per productive person             18 772.63
All in work-hour cost (based on 1748 hours)             10.74