ABSTRACT
The following tables reflect the major changes in cost to contractors but do not necessarily reflect changes in tender levels. In addition to changes in labour and materials costs, tenders are affected by other factors such as the degree of competition in the particular industry, the area where the work is to be carried out, the availability of labour and the prevailing economic conditions. This has meant in recent years that, when there has been an abundance of work, tender levels have tended to increase at a greater rate than can be accounted for solely by increases in basic labour and material costs and, conversely, when there is a shortage of work this has tended to result in keener tenders. Allowances for these factors are impossible to assess on a general basis and can only be based on experience and knowledge of the particular circumstances.
