bouwkostenindex

Bouwkostenindex, or construction cost index, is a statistical indicator that measures how the costs of constructing and renovating buildings change over time. It reflects movements in prices for building materials, labour, machinery, energy, and other inputs used in construction. By aggregating these price changes into a single index, it enables comparison of cost levels across periods and projects.

Construction costs are tracked using a fixed basket of goods and services representative of typical building activities. Each component is assigned a weight according to its share of total costs; price data are collected regularly from suppliers, contractors, and other sources. The index is normally published as a base-year reference with a numerical value for each period; some indices separate inputs (materials, labour) from the overall cost.

The index is used for budgeting, forecasting, and contract price escalation. Public authorities and industry rely on it to monitor inflation in the construction sector, adjust budgets, and inform policy. It is also used in tendering to adjust bids for anticipated price changes.

In the Netherlands, the term is used for the Dutch construction cost index, published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and aligned with the broader measurement of price developments in the building sector. Data are released monthly or quarterly and may distinguish between new construction and renovations; practitioners should consult the latest methodological notes for base year, coverage, and weighting. The index should be interpreted as a macro indicator rather than a project-specific forecast.