ABSTRACT
Whole-life costing can be used as a component part of an investment appraisal. This is the systematic approach to capital investment decisions regarding proposed projects. The technique is used to balance the associated costs of construction and maintenance with rental values and needs expectancies. It is a necessary part of property portfolio management. It recognises that many projects are built for investment purposes. The way that future costs-in-use are dealt with therefore depends largely on the expected ownership criteria of occupation, lease or sale, or indeed a combination of these alternatives.
