Teamwork could reduce costs by 30%

A 30% reduction in the cost of construction could be achieved by the year 2000 if measures such as greater teamwork, increased use of standardisation and a better understanding of the construction process are adopted.

These are the findings of Working Group 11, one of 13 groups set up by the Construction Industry Board to implement the findings of the Latham Review.

The report, Towards a 30% productivity improvement in construction, released today, says there is no simple solution, but points to significant scope for eliminating unnecessary costs.

Many of the measures identified are already being used by some firms and include risk management, value engineering, life-cycle costings, prefabrication and standardisation.

The Group found that the major potential cost savings come from the earlier stages of a project.