The Various Factors That Affect the Price of Concrete

Business

Who still doesn’t use concrete for any type of construction work? Well, I don’t think anyone wouldn’t use it, as concrete is a material that’s very durable, low maintenance, absorbs and retains heat, is wind and water resistant, does not rust or rot, is non-combustible and is also an effective soundproofing material. However, there are certain factors that affect the price of concrete. So, to help you get the best possible concrete prices Brisbane, continue reading this article as it deals with the different factors that affect the price of concrete.

Material Costs

One of the various factors that affects concrete prices Brisbane is material costs.  Yes, the cost of materials and supplies, as well as their associated shipping or transport charges, greatly influence the cost of any construction project, and that (obviously) includes concrete too.

Labor Rates

The local labor rates or wages that are mandated by the state where your project is located, will have a direct effect on the expenditure of a project, and this can also drive up concrete prices Brisbane. However, the bill for these rates can be computed or calculated correctly thanks to the use of construction timesheet software.

Depending on the type of construction timesheet software you use, this allows construction managers and employees to record their time on the job digitally, which allows for a correct (and fair) labor cost.

Site Conditions

Is your construction or project site just a few minutes form the town or city center? Or is it located miles away from civilization? According to most cement contractors, the project’s estimates could shoot up sky-high if site conditions are not ideal, and this will certainly include concrete prices Brisbane.

A few examples of site conditions include poor soil quality, contamination, wetlands, utility, environmental and traffic issues, as well as the distance of the project site from the nearest cement plant or storage facility.

Economic Factors

The state of the economy won’t just affect concrete prices Brisbane, but literally the price of everything, from the food you put on the table to the clothes you wear, to your utility bills along with the price of gas or diesel that you put in your car or sports utility vehicle.

Inflation can also wreak havoc on project cost estimates. The Construction Cost Index, which is published by ENR, or Engineering News Record, provides a tabulated account of how inflation has greatly affected the concrete construction industry in the past, as well as in the present.

The Timing of Bid

Unlike using natural stones, concrete is generally free from defects and flaws. In fact, this material can be manufactured to the desired strength with an economy. The durability of concrete is also very high, and it can literally be cast to any desired shape.

But then again, concrete prices Brisbane can also be negatively or positively influenced by the timing of the bid. According to most cement contractors, seasonal disparities in construction, as well as clashes or competition with other bid openings can affect projects costs.

Schedule

If the project’s schedule is too small for the type of work involved, then the cost of the project will tend to be on the higher side. This notion is especially true for construction projects that have a significant liquidated damage clause in their contracts.

Contingency

In general, a contingency fund (which would often depend on the contract signed between contractor and client) is often set aside to cover for unforeseen costs, or to serve as a line of defense against natural or man-made disasters or mishaps. However, inflation and the scarcity of supplies and materials might necessitate a higher contingency fund which could range from 15% to 20%.

Distance

This factor is nearly the same as the one I mentioned earlier with regard to site conditions. For example, the distance from the equipment yard to the project site greatly affects concrete prices Brisbane.

If your project site is within the normal coverage area of your concrete supplier, then you don’t have to pay for any additional delivery charges. But, if your project site is miles and miles away from the concrete supplier or equipment yard, then you may need to cough out an extra to pay for the additional delivery fees.

Time

Like anything else in life, time is also of the essence when it comes to construction projects because if the project fails to get completed in the desired timeline, then this could affect the performance of the whole project team, and this would also have a negative impact on concrete prices Brisbane.

Thus, you need to get an efficient service provider who can ensure the on-time delivery of the project to avoid any costly delays, as wells to completely satisfy your clients and the other stakeholders.

Design

Design is also another crucial element that will either positively or negatively affect concrete prices Brisbane. For example, if you want to get mixed designs, which might be quite complex and will require the use of more cement, then you may need to shell out extra as compared to going for an ordinary or more conventional design.

Quantity

How much concrete you order from your supplier will greatly determine concrete prices Brisbane. The size of the concrete also determines the costs. Like for example, if you want 0.5 m³ concrete, they you may need to pay an extra charge for the required specifications.

Like any other building or structure owner, constructing strong and good-quality buildings will always be the primary concern. With this idea in mind, you can then conveniently (and effectively) plan for your total expenditure on concrete. 

Once you’re done dealing with supplies and materials, as well as with concrete prices Brisbane, you can now devote more time to the other equally important matters that will determine the outcome of your investment in your construction project.