Contact us

Precision in cost.
Accuracy in measurements.

Providing accurate cost advice, robust measurement services, and reliable project intelligence to housing providers, developers, consultants, and contractors across the social housing sector.

Get in touch

Expert Cost Guidance from Concept to Viability

Building on over 40 years of industry experience, IDF Consult Ltd can offer preconstruction cost advice to Contractors, Developers, and Housing Associations. As part of this service, we will review all available design information, including drawings, specifications, investigative reports and advise the appropriate Type of cost report, whether this be an ‘Order of Cost Estimate’ or ‘Elemental Cost Plan’. As part of your Affordable Housing Viability Assessment (AHVA), IDF Consult Ltd can provide you with accurate, Live costs, backed up with analytically produced cost data.

Approach

Our approach is built on:

Clear and transparent cost reporting.

Helping you make informed decisions with total transparency

Robust benchmarking and data analysis.

Turning data into actionable insights you can trust

Early identification of risks and opportunities.

Helping you stay ahead by spotting issues and opportunities early

Close collaboration with clients and design teams.

Collaborating at every step to ensure the best results

Practical, commercially focused advice.

Grounded guidance designed to maximise value and efficiency

Why Choose Us

Over 40 years of industry experience

Providing proven solutions built on decades of hands‑on knowledge

Reliable, data-driven cost advice

Delivering accurate insights you can trust to make confident decisions

Specialist focus on social housing

Providing dedicated insight to enhance value across social housing projects

Flexible and responsive service.

Adapting quickly to your needs with a proactive, client-focused approach

1.0 Order of Cost Estimate

This is an estimate based on benchmark data for a similar type of project based on the client’s strategic definition or initial brief. Its purpose is to establish affordability of a proposed development for a client. It takes place prior to the preparation of a full set of working drawings or bills of quantities and forms the initial build-up to the cost planning process. Order of cost estimates are a method of cost prediction. IDF Consult Ltd will produce the ‘Order of Cost Estimate’ based on the following – Review how design changes affect costs, considering project goals, procurement approach, programme, and risks. Identify areas of uncertainty and include appropriate allowances such as provisional sums or prime cost items. Ensure the design and outline specification fit within the agreed budget and confirm the cost limit with the client before moving to the next stage. IDF Consult Ltd will produce the ‘Formal Cost Plan 1’ based on the following -

  • Input of Schedule of accommodation into OOCE Template.
  • Abnormal Development Costs – Identified. – Usually, provisional allowances taken from Benchmark costs – Subject to information available at this stage.
  • Substructure based on Standard foundations – Ground floor area x Rate / m2.
  • Super Structures - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2. 
  • Internal Finishes - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • Fittings Furnishings and Equipment - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • M&E Services – (Enumerated x House type)
  • External Works – External works – Approx Quants x Composite rate per element.
  • Preliminaries. (Weekly rate or percentage of contract Value)
  • Fees (Percentage of Contract Value)
  • Risk Estimate (Percentage of contract Value)
  • Construction Inflation Allowance %.
  • Tender Inflation Allowance %
  • Order of Cost Summary and Elemental Cost Breakdown.

2.0 Cost plan (or Elemental Cost Plan)

A cost plan is ‘an estimate based on a specific design. A statement showing an apportionment of an estimate of or an agreed budget between cost headings’ Cost planning is a method of cost prediction. As part of your Affordable Housing Viability Assessment (AHVA), IDF Consult Ltd can provide you with accurate, Live costs, backed up with analytically produced cost data.

Formal Cost Plan 1

Prepare an initial cost plan based on early design ideas from the architect and key engineering requirements. This plan should include a breakdown of major cost elements and approximate quantities taken from the outline specification. Review how design changes affect costs, considering project goals, procurement approach, programme, and risks. Identify areas of uncertainty and include appropriate allowances such as provisional sums or prime cost items. Ensure the design and outline specification fit within the agreed budget and confirm the cost limit with the client before moving to the next stage. IDF Consult Ltd will produce the ‘Formal Cost Plan 1’ based on the following -

  • Input of Schedule of accommodation into FCP1 Template.
  • Abnormal Development Costs – Identified. – Usually, provisional allowances taken from Benchmark costs – Subject to information available at this stage.
  • Substructure based on Standard foundations – Ground floor area x Rate / m2. (Abnormal foundation costs considered at this stage if SI available)
  • Super Structures - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • Internal Finishes - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • Fittings Furnishings and Equipment - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • M&E Services – (Enumerated x House type)
  • External Works – External works – Approx Quants x Composite rate per element.
  • Preliminaries. (Contractor based fully priced with fixed and time related costs based on a set contract period)
  • Fees (Fully priced out fee schedule including Consultant fees, sectional fees, surveys and Statutory Fees)
  • Risk Estimate (Identified risk and general design development risk)
  • Construction Inflation Allowance %.
  • Elemental Cost Breakdown.
  • Tender Inflation Allowance %

Formal Cost Plan 2

Conduct more detailed cost assessments to test developing design elements, project strategies, and the outline specification. This may involve input from suppliers or specialist subcontractors to confirm affordability and ensure compliance with regulations. Update the initial cost plan as the design develops, improving cost accuracy and forming Formal Cost Plan 2. As certainty increases, adjust cost allocations and risk allowances where needed. Continue to identify uncertain areas requiring allowances and confirm that the coordinated design remains within budget. Agree the updated cost limit with the client before progressing. IDF Consult Ltd will produce the ‘Formal Cost Plan 2’ based on the following –

  • Input of Schedule of accommodation into FCP2 Template.
  • Abnormal Development Costs – Identify actual abnormal costs. Review Site levels / Remediation strategy/ Cut and Fill / retainment / under-build / Steps and Staggers / Drainage strategy / Attenuation / Foundation Solution / Statutory Service Disconnections / Diversions / Lowering. Power requirements – Substation / Drainage connection inverts / Gas Membranes / SAP Compliance / Acoustic requirements / Ecological Impact / Arborical Impact / Tree root Zones. Engage with Specialist if sufficient information available.
  • Substructure based on Standard foundations – Ground floor area x Rate / m2. If Foundation solution identified. Work up approx. quants and market test with specialist input regarding pile type and cost.
  • Super Structures - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • Internal Finishes - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • Fittings Furnishings and Equipment - GIFA x Elemental Rate / m2.
  • M&E Services – (Enumerated x House type)
  • External Works – External works – Approx Quants x Composite rate per element.
  • Preliminaries. (Contractor based fully priced with fixed and time related costs based on a set contract period)
  • Fees (Fully priced out fee schedule including Consultant fees, sectional fees, surveys and Statutory Fees)
  • Risk Estimate (Identified risk and general design development risk)
  • Construction Inflation Allowance %.
  • Tender Inflation Allowance %
  • Elemental Cost Breakdown.

Formal Cost Plan 3

Further refine Formal Cost Plan 2 in line with the chosen procurement strategy, creating Formal Cost Plan 3. At this stage, it may function as a pre-tender estimate where detailed bills of quantities are not required. Maintain allowances for risks and uncertain items. Agree the final cost limit with the client before tendering. IDF Consult Ltd will produce the ‘Formal Cost Plan 3’ based on the following –

  • Input of Schedule of accommodation into FCP3 Template.
  • Abnormal Development Costs – Identify actual abnormal costs. Review Site levels / Remediation strategy/ Cut and Fill / retainment / under-build / Steps and Staggers / Drainage strategy / Attenuation / Foundation Solution / Statutory Service Disconnections / Diversions / Lowering. Power requirements – Substation / Drainage connection inverts / Gas Membranes / SAP Compliance / Acoustic requirements / Ecological Impact / Arborical Impact / Tree root Zones. Engage with Specialist if sufficient information available.
  • Super Structures – Quantify typical house type and identity specifications that may impact on budget. Complete analytical pricing exercise and work back to M2 rates to check earlier stage estimates. Breakdown Superstructure rate into RICS elemental costs.
  • Internal Finishes - Quantify typical house type and identity specifications that may impact on budget. Complete analytical pricing exercise and work back to M2 rates to check earlier stage estimates. Breakdown Internal finishes rate into RICS elemental costs.
  • Fittings Furnishings and Equipment - Quantify typical house type and identity specifications that may impact on budget. Complete analytical pricing exercise and work back to M2 rates to check earlier stage estimates. Breakdown Fittings Furnishings and Equipment rate into RICS elemental costs.
  • M&E Services – (If specification – Available, Obtain Market tested costs to check against earlier stage Estimate)
  • External Works – External works – Approx Quants x Composite rate per element.
  • Preliminaries. (Contractor based, fully priced with fixed and time related costs based on a set contract period)
  • Fees (Fully priced out fee schedule including Consultant fees, sectional fees, surveys and Statutory Fees)
  • Risk Estimate (Identified risk and general design development risk)
  • Construction Inflation Allowance %.
  • Tender Inflation Allowance %
  • Elemental Cost Breakdown.

Abnormals

In conjunction with Consultant Design Team we will review the site constraints and offer cost advise for any abnormals associated with the site. These will normally cover the following – Site and ground conditions, Demolition and site Clearance, infra structure and utility’s, Drainage and flood mitigation, Planning and Statutory obligations, Access and logistics, and Abnormal build requirements such as retaining walls, basement construction, noise mitigation and exceptional fire engineering measures.

As part of your Affordable Housing Viability Assessment (AHVA), IDF Consult Ltd can provide you with accurate, Live costs, backed up with analytically produced cost data.

Let’s work together

Get in touch today and receive a complimentary consultation.

Email

  • ianfarnworth@idfconsult.co.uk