Byford Commercial Build Update, page-607

Problems with HC again (hopefully no clumping)

How much to charge a builder?

Very early days, but good question to ponder.

Firstly, with proven builds/sign off, I think (as you appear to have alluded to) there would be no need to discount below what a manual brick team would otherwise charge. They don't need to buy market share by dropping rates as there are the obvious ancillary benefits.

However, what would be interesting is to try to place a value on these ancillary benefits (I note you have raised a few in other posts). Once quantified I agree with you that I would expect these would contribute to charging a premium over a manual build cost.

The other obvious benefit here (which you may not have considered) is that the reliance on the lay speed becomes less critical. To clarify it would still be important to increase lay speed but whereas instead of a B/E lay rate being "x" bricks per hr, with a premium charge FBR could afford to lay at a rate of "X"- "Y".

This means they can go commercial a lot faster and Adent will finally get on board.