Fixed costs in shell construction are one of the key challenges in construction projects. They are incurred regardless of construction progress and can increase further due to delays or inefficient processes. Whether it's crane hire, containers or personnel costs - each of these areas offers potential savings if they are planned and implemented carefully. In this article, we shed light on the most common fixed costs in shell construction, provide specific numerical examples and show how optimized processes can reduce these costs.
The following table provides a compact overview of the most important fixed costs in shell construction for an average shell construction volume of €8m. A detailed explanation of the individual items follows.
Cranes are the backbone of every construction site and drive construction progress. At the same time, they are one of the biggest fixed costs. A top-slewing crane costs between EUR 6,000 and 8,000 per month. Added to this are the personnel costs for a crane operator, who costs around EUR 6,000 per month.
With a project volume of EUR 8 million and three cranes, this results in average fixed costs of EUR 25,000 per month.
To reduce these costs, it makes sense to optimize crane logistics. Precise planning, whereby the cranes are only rented for as long as necessary, and needs-based scheduling can significantly reduce rental and personnel costs.
Containers are indispensable for the smooth running of a construction project. They serve as offices, storage space or sanitary facilities. The rental costs vary depending on the type of container: office containers cost between EUR 240 and 450 per month, storage containers between EUR 80 and 170 and sanitary containers between EUR 230 and 380.
For a medium-sized construction project with a volume of around EUR 20 million and 20-35 containers, this results in fixed costs of EUR 4,000 to 13,200 per month.
A regular needs analysis helps to reduce the number of containers required and save costs without jeopardizing the infrastructure of the construction site.
Scaffolding is essential to enable work at great heights. The costs are around 30 to 40 cents per square meter per week.
For a four-storey building with a façade area of 5,000 square meters, the fixed costs add up to around EUR 7,000 per month.
Close coordination with the trades involved can reduce the rental time of the scaffolding and thus minimize costs. Early planning ensures that the scaffolding is only needed when it is actually needed.
Formwork is essential for concrete work, but is very expensive. The rental costs are around EUR 5 to 20 per square meter per day.
For larger projects with a volume of more than EUR 5 million, the monthly fixed costs add up to between EUR 15,000 and 45,000.
For longer-term construction projects, buying formwork can be more economical than renting it. Comparing the total costs in advance helps to make the right decision and avoid unnecessary expenditure.
Personnel costs represent the largest fixed cost block in many construction projects. Foremen earn between EUR 8,000 and 12,000 per month, site managers between EUR 9,000 and 15,000 and project managers between EUR 11,000 and 13,000.
For a typical construction project with a volume of EUR 8 million, the monthly personnel costs add up to around EUR 58,000.
By using digital construction site management tools, processes can be optimized and personnel costs can be made more efficient. This not only saves time, but also money.
Electricity and water are also indispensable for any construction site - and cause considerable fixed costs. The rental costs for construction site power distributors are around EUR 40 to 70 per month. The average electricity consumption is 5,500 kWh per month, which at a price of 30 cents per kWh results in costs of EUR 1,650.
Water consumption is around 130 to 140 cubic meters per month, which at a price of EUR 4.50 per cubic meter means costs of EUR 590 to 765 .
In total, a project with a crane, electricity consumers such as lighting or construction hoists and water consumption without concrete production incurs fixed costs of around EUR 2,300 per month.
Smart monitoring systems can help to reduce consumption and keep costs in check.
Fixed costs in shell construction depend heavily on the size and duration of the project. A medium-sized project with a volume of EUR 8 million can generate the following fixed costs per month:
These fixed costs can be significantly reduced through precise planning, the use of modern technologies and transparent cost control. Those who design the processes on the construction site efficiently can not only save money, but also optimize construction progress in the long term.
