Archived publication

This publication is no longer current or has been superseded.

5 The Benefits and Costs of Better Commissioning

5.1 Benefits

The potential benefits of proper commissioning of a building include:

  • improved quality assurance, documentation and co-ordination between design, construction and occupancy, leading to a better-quality product

  • lower energy usage over the life of the building and greater potential for meeting energy targets, particularly for sustainable buildings

  • lower water usage over the life of the building and greater potential for meeting water-use targets, particularly for sustainable buildings

  • improved indoor air quality, and reduced noise and draughts, with consequent increases in occupant comfort and satisfaction

  • reduced operation and maintenance problems and costs over the life of the building (studies indicate cost savings of 8-20%)

  • fewer on-site variations and associated costs

  • fewer complaints or call-backs to the building owner, contractors and design consultants

  • improved tenant satisfaction for a leased building

  • a mechanism for proving compliance with the proposed New Zealand Building Code Clause H1 amendments.

5.2 Costs

The cost of commissioning depends on a number of factors, including the building type, size and complexity, and whether it is a new building or an existing building. Typically, the cost of commissioning ranges from 0.5 to 1.0% of the total construction cost. For a new office building this might equate to $9 to $18/m2. Better commissioning would be at the higher end of the scale. The cost of commissioning management is in the order of $2 to $3/m2. The cost of re-commissioning an existing building is estimated at 25 to 30% of the cost of a new building, or $2 to $5/m2.

The following section provides a more detailed economic analysis to present a value case for better commissioning.

[ |