Stroma provides Life Cycle Cost Analysis to help you gain valuable insights into the overall costs of your built environment projects.
What is Life Cycle Cost Analysis?
A Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is a methodology used to determine the most cost-effective option to deliver a building through all the stages of its life, from design, construction, and occupancy through to disposal and demolition.
It can help minimise the long-term costs associated with the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of a building or structure. By using an LCCA, your business will be able to ensure your project’s cost-efficiency and ultimately minimise risks while maximising returns on investments (ROI).
Key benefits of using Life Cycle Cost Analysis:
- Mitigate unforeseen costs by creating an accurate financial plan for your project’s duration.
- Ensure resources are allocated effectively within the budget constraints.
- Reduce risk exposure through detailed analysis and simulations.
- Encourage sustainable practices by taking into account environmental factors like energy use over time.
- Accurately measure ROI throughout the life cycle of your project.
BREEAM Life Cycle Assessment
BREEAM has certain requirements when it comes to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
- A complete Life Cycle Cost Analysis must be carried out, including cost-benefit analyses for different materials and technologies.
- Designers must calculate the life cycle costs associated with materials used in a project before deciding on which ones to select.
- Project teams should consider potential end-of-life scenarios for materials used and take measures to ensure safe disposal.
By taking these requirements into consideration from the outset, building design teams can create projects that are cost-effective and sustainability-focused.
Gain BREEAM Credits with Life Cycle Costing
Life Cycle Costing is specifically used within Man 02 life cycle cost and service life planning of BREEAM for new and existing buildings, constructed assets, and their parts.
Credits can be awarded at the Concept Design Stage, in line with ISO 15686-5:2017, by undertaking LCC options appraisal at the component level and reporting the capital cost of a building via the BREEAM Assessment Scoring and Reporting tool.
The findings are expressed in real, discounted and non-discounted cash flows, with analyses at strategic and system levels of the structure, envelope, services, and finishes.
The option with the lowest discounted LCC is generally preferred, provided it results in lower energy consumption, reduced maintenance or prolonged replacements, dismantling, recycling or reuse.
Up to two credits are available:
- 1st credit is available if carried out at RIBA Stages B or C, covering construction, operation, maintenance, and end of life.
- 2nd credit can be achieved at the Feasibility Stage (after 1st credit is obtained)
Stroma has years of experience delivering high-quality Life Cycle Cost Analysis, ensuring you gain additional BREEAM credits for your building construction projects.