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The new edition ... updated.
The second edition of the United Arab Emirates Construction Price Book has been published by the Dubai-based Motivate Publishing.
Complied by Simon Dove of EC Harris, capital project and facilities consultant, with more than 20 years of experience in the Gulf's construction industry, the book aims to be a definitive guide to current market rates in the construction industry.
Through its 394 pages, the publication guides the reader through prices for most of the items found in construction projects in the UAE and Gulf region.
''Prices quoted are the prevailing market rates obtained during the last quarter of 1999, from recognised established organisations offering quality products,'' says a spokesman for Motivate Publishing. ''Unit prices quoted combine the material, labour, plant and subcontractor costs - ready for the user to add profit and overheads as required.
''All rates have been compiled in accordance with POM (I), Principles of Measurement (International) for Works of Construction.''
The spokesman continues: ''When first published in 1996, the Construction Price Book was an invaluable aid to estimators, quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, contractors, property managers and building material suppliers. This revised edition will undoubtedly prove as indispensable.''
The Construction Price Book comprises unit and resource prices (where applicable) categorised in the following sections:
The Principles of Measurement (International) have been reproduced with the permission of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) of the UK.
In the preface, Dove says: ''The Construction Price Book was first published in 1996 and provided the first comprehensive guide to construction prices in the UAE. Construction costs have fluctuated since then as a result of local, regional and global events, such as the UAE government's crackdown on illegally employed workmen in 1997 and the currency crisis which afflicted the Far East in 1998. The effect of all these changes has been taken into account in this second edition. We have thoroughly revised many sections of the database and have added a number of new materials and products.
''The presentation and method of measurement used is that of the Principles of Measurement (International) for Works of Construction published by RICS, with minor modifications to comply with local custom.''
Prices used in the preparation of the database have been obtained from leading contractors, subcontractors and suppliers throughout the UAE, he points out.
''Average market prices have been used where there is regional variance. Labour rates are average 'all-in' rates for workmen employed directly by the contractor on an hourly basis (as opposed to productivity-related payments). Plant rates are based upon costs for new equipment depreciated over periods between two and five years and are inclusive of fuel, oil, spares, maintenance and operator where appropriate.
''This database has been compiled using the Kestrel suite of computer software, one of the leaders in construction estimating and financial management software in the UK. This software is available for use in the Gulf with the UAE database, which can be customised to suit the user's own outputs and prices. The database is also available on CD-ROM in a view-only format, and users of both this and Kestrel software will be able to see the detailed build-ups of rates.
''The policy adopted when obtaining material costs has been to assume a high standard of specification and, wherever appropriate, that materials comply with relevant UAE, British, European or American standards. Labour outputs also allow for a high standard of workmanship and this is particularly relevant to the finishing trades. For purely commercial developments, lower standards may be acceptable to clients, in which case users should adjust rates accordingly.
''In addition, it has been assumed that the quantity of work is reasonably large. Small quantities may not benefit from discounts from suppliers and may even attract a premium. The location of the development being priced will also need to be considered and adjustments made for remote or inaccessible sites,'' Dove explains.
The hardback is available from Motivate Publishing in Dubai and is priced at Dh385 ($105).
