ABSTRACT
ADJUSTMENT AND VARIATION OF THE RATES IN THIS BOOK It will be appreciated that a variation in any one item in any group will affect the final Measured Works price. Any cost variation must be weighed against the total cost of the contract. A small variation in Prime Cost where the items are ordered in thousands may have more effect on the total cost than a large variation on a few items. A change in design that necessitates the use of earth moving equipment which must be brought to the site for that one job will cause a dramatic rise in the contract cost. Similarly, a small saving on multiple items will provide a useful reserve to cover unforeseen extras. Using the tree planting example above, If the tree size was to be increased from a 8-10 cm tree to a 10-12 cm tree of the same variety, this might necessitate an increase in tree pit size, more compost a larger tree stake and more excavated material being disposed of off site The resultant variation would again be referenced from the tree planting section as follows
The revised PC (prime cost) of an Acer platanoides 10-12 cm bare root tree is given as nr 19.50 to which the cost of handling and planting only to treepits excavated separately is added nr 11.31 Giving an overall cost of nr 30.81
Add to this the following variations as described Tree pit increased in size from 600× 600 × 600mm to 900×900 × 600mm nr 7.92 Additional compost nr 7.12 Increased staking requirements to two stakes nr 7.47 Increased volume of imported topsoil nr 24.49 increased disposal volume nr 11.68 Giving a resultant price for the increased tree size as nr 82.37 The variation therefore from the original specification for the 8-10 cm tree to the revised 10-12 cm tree is calculated as an additional sum per tree of nr 33.33
LABOUR RATES USED IN THIS EDITION
Major Works generally General labour rate for all works hr 19.50
Major Works Maintenance General labour rate for all works hr 16.50
Minor Works Generally General labour rate for all works hr 21.00
