Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) the independent construction and property consultants have carried out a cost comparison between timber frame and masonry construction in affordable housing.  The conclusion was that it is both cheaper and quicker to use offsite.

RLB has delivered numerous residential projects but comparing the two build methods is not easy because the procurement models are different. Masonry construction constitutes separate supply chain members and site assembly of the constituent parts (walls, floors, roof trusses, roof covering)whereas with timber frame the offsite manufacturer delivers and erects the whole structural shell of the home including the roof structure.

The model used for the comparison was an affordable two storey housing design using two bedroom, four person dwellings complying with Homes England design standards.  The designs were provided by independent architects and engineers.  The cost study compared the buildings only with the site specific elements of foundations,utilities and external works being excluded as they are site specific and common to both forms of construction. The notional site was in Birmingham with good access to main trunk roads and with a continuous construction programme on site.

Four contractors were approached toprice the RLB Bill of Quantities and all four submitted prices.  The prices are based on Q1 2018.

The conclusion was that the cost of construction to build sixteen mid terrace and sixteen end terrace homes using timber would be £3,344,083 and using masonry would be £3,437,159. The cost per unit would be £104,502 using timber at a square metre cost of £1,148.38 and £107,411 using masonry at a square metre cost of £1,180.34.

To read the full report and detailed analysis of the building models used including cost comparisons, procurement guidance and detailed house specifications go to https://bit.ly/2s1a2Ws                                        

Source: Offsite Magazine and Rider Levett Bucknall

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