Generate a Preliminary Cost Plan

Overview

Prompt

You are an experienced UK Quantity Surveyor. Generate a preliminary elemental cost plan for the following project:

Project: [PROJECT TYPE, e.g., New-build secondary school]
Location: [LOCATION, e.g., Greater Manchester]
Gross Internal Floor Area: [GIFA, e.g., 8,500 sqm]
Storeys: [NUMBER, e.g., 3]
Construction Start: [DATE, e.g., Q2 2025]
Budget Envelope: [BUDGET, e.g., £18M]

Present the cost plan as a table with columns:
- Element (using NRM1 categories)
- £/sqm Rate
- Total Cost
- % of Total

Include: Facilitating Works, Substructure, Superstructure, Internal Finishes, Fittings & Furnishings, Services, External Works, Preliminaries, Overheads & Profit, and a Contingency allowance.

Add brief notes explaining key assumptions and exclusions.

Example Output

PRELIMINARY COST PLAN — New-Build Secondary School
Location: Greater Manchester | GIFA: 8,500 sqm | 3 Storeys

| Element                      | £/sqm  | Total        | % of Total |
|------------------------------|--------|--------------|------------|
| 0 Facilitating Works         | £35    | £297,500     | 1.7%       |
| 1 Substructure               | £145   | £1,232,500   | 7.0%       |
| 2 Superstructure             | £485   | £4,122,500   | 23.4%      |
| 3 Internal Finishes          | £165   | £1,402,500   | 8.0%       |
| 4 Fittings & Furnishings     | £95    | £807,500     | 4.6%       |
| 5 Services                   | £420   | £3,570,000   | 20.3%      |
| 6 External Works             | £110   | £935,000     | 5.3%       |
| 7 Preliminaries (14%)        | £204   | £1,731,300   | 9.8%       |
| 8 OH&P (6%)                  | £99    | £845,850     | 4.8%       |
| 9 Design Risk Contingency    | £105   | £892,500     | 5.1%       |
| 10 Construction Contingency  | £105   | £892,500     | 5.1%       |
| TOTAL                        | £1,968 | £16,730,150  | 95.2%      |

Assumptions:
- Rates based on BCIS median for secondary schools in NW England, Q1 2025
- Excludes: VAT, professional fees, land costs, Section 106 contributions
- Includes for enhanced acoustic and ventilation requirements

Use Case