laxtonslive is an on-line collection of building works prices. Suitable for the self employed professional up to the largest of organisations, prices are held using the latest database techniques to make them simple and easy to use. Prices are constantly updated and the tables frozen at the end of each month to provide historic data.

laxtonslive is available as an annual subscription to either Major, Small or Repairs & Maintenence Instructions (RMI) works. laxtonslive can be used on any computer with a suitable broadband connection. Estimates are stored on our secure server and can be shared, if required, within an organisation. .

Measured rates are given for all descriptions of building work generally in accordance with SMM7 Revised 1998. A complete breakdown is shown for all measured items, under 10 headings. This approach provides the user with the price build-up at a glance enabling adjustments to be made easily. Net and gross rates are given for each item. 

Prices reflect national average costs and the Major Works section is intended to apply to a building contract for works within the range £500,000 to £1,500,000, with adjustment factors for tender values from £250,000 to £5,000,000.

This section follows an identical pattern to Major Works but is intended to apply to a contract in the range of £50,000 to £100,000, with adjustment factors for tender values from £25,000 to £250,000. 

The type of contract envisaged would involve one of the following: (a) a small new build project, (b) a conversion and repair of existing dwelling house with small extensions for additional accommodation, (c) the conversion, alteration and repair of existing office, factory or other type of building with a certain amount of internal reconstruction or renovations.

This section follows a similar approach adopted by the Major and Small Works sections with measured rates given for descriptions of building work generally in accordance with SMM7 with items specifically identified as may be required in works of alterations, repair and maintenance.

General Information

A useful link to various organisations: Standard Rates of Wages, Builders’ and Contractors’ Plant, Guide Prices to Building Types, Cost Allowances, National Working Rule Agreement, Day work Charges, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1997. Fees, Arbitration, Table and Memoranda and Metric System etc.

Brands and Trade Names – Company Information; Products and Services

Featuring a unique list of Brands and trade Names with the name and address of the manufacturer given in the adjacent Company Information Section.

The Product and Services section provides details of manufacturers and suppliers. These lists are useful for locating a particular branded item. The majority of the companies now have websites and links to these websites, where possible is provided in this system.

On-Line Estimator

Simple estimates may be created from the data sets purchased and stored on our server for recall. Users can be assigned to organisations where shared folders may be set up to allow estimates to be viewed and worked on within an organisation.

Rates Generally

Rates given are within the context of a complete contract of construction where all trades work is involved. When pricing sub-contract work, careful consideration must be given to the special circumstances pertaining to the pricing of such work and the very different labour outputs that can be achieved by specialists.

In total the Major and Small Works sections of contain over 300,000 price elements and constants. 

Schedule of Rates

In the event that the system is to be used as a Schedule of Rates, the employer should, at tender stage, clearly indicate whether rates are to be adjusted for regional factors, tender values and for overheads and profit.

It is suggested that the employer should state that works are to be valued in accordance with the laxtonslive system, Major Works, Small Works or ions, Repairs and Maintenance Instructions sections as appropriate. A Net Rate column with the addition of a percentage to be stated by the contractor to include for regional factor adjustment, tender value adjustment overheads, profit and preliminary items not covered elsewhere. A procedure for adjustment of fluctuation should be stated (e.g. by using laxtonslive) and dates as applicable.

Contractors must recognise that the net rates indicated within laxtonslive works tables are national average costs for average projects in the ranges stated. Minor items of maintenance works may require considerable adjustment.