AI QS Blog

Construction Cost Guides
& Quantity Surveying Insights

Expert pricing breakdowns, practical cost data and plain-English QS guidance for UK builders, contractors and homeowners.

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Cost Guide

New Build Cost Per m² in the UK (2026): What It Really Costs

Budget, standard and high-spec build rates per square metre, a worked example, regional variation and what the £/m² figure leaves out.

March 2026 · 8 min read Read →
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Cost Guide

Loft Conversion Costs in 2026: Dormer, Velux, Hip-to-Gable & Mansard

What each type of loft conversion actually costs in 2026, including structural steel, building regs, and the costs most people forget to budget for.

March 2026 · 7 min read Read →
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Cost Guide

Garage Conversion Costs in the UK (2026): Full Price Breakdown

Integral, double and detached garage conversions priced for 2026 — what's involved, building regs, and when a conversion isn't worth it.

March 2026 · 6 min read Read →
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Cost Guide

Bathroom & Kitchen Renovation Costs in the UK (2026)

Tiered cost tables for bathroom and kitchen refits, where the money actually goes, and the hidden costs that blow renovation budgets.

March 2026 · 7 min read Read →
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Cost Guide

Structural Steelwork Costs in 2026: RSJs, Portal Frames & Fabrication Rates

What steel actually costs in 2026 — per tonne, per beam, installed. Detailing, fabrication and installation rates, and what to watch when pricing metalwork.

March 2026 · 7 min read Read →
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QS Explained

What Is a Bill of Quantities? A Plain English Guide for Builders

BOQs explained without the jargon — what they are, why they matter, what goes in them, and how they protect your profit margin on every job.

March 2026 · 6 min read Read →
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QS Explained

What Are Preliminaries in Construction? A Plain-English Guide

Prelims demystified — what they cover, fixed vs time-related costs, typical percentages of contract value, and why under-pricing them kills margin.

March 2026 · 6 min read Read →
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Guide

How to Price a Building Job Accurately (Without Losing Money)

The practical method for pricing construction work — from take-off to markup. Stop guessing and start winning tenders with numbers you can stand behind.

March 2026 · 9 min read Read →

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