New regulations causes construction costs to increase by 6%

The review of the Construction Act as per January 1, 2003 will cause construction costs to increase by an average of 6%. In return the consumer will receive increased security and comfort. This is the conclusion of a study by BouwNed, the largest construction association.

The new Construction Act specifies the minimum requirements of a new dwelling. The changes mainly concerns increased (fire) safety and comfort. Smoke detectors are compulsory, the height for ceilings and doors will have to increase and staircases will have to be less steep. Some of the reasons for these changes are that the average height of the Dutch has increased and people grow much older.

The calculations in the study by PRC Bouwcentrum are based on four specific houses: an elderly home, terraced house, semi-detachted house and an apartment. The increase in costs range from four to eight percent.

(source: BouwNed)

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