Prime cost (PC) item: an allowance in a building contract for an item that hasn't been chosen or priced yet when the contract is signed, such as tapware, appliances, tiles or light fittings. It covers the cost of supplying the item. When the final price is known, the contract price goes up or down by the difference.
Provisional sum (PS): an allowance for work that can't be accurately priced when the contract is signed, such as rock excavation, retaining walls or site works. It usually covers both labour and materials, and is adjusted to the actual cost once the work is done.
In short: PC is for items still to be selected, PS is for work still to be measured. Both are estimates, so check your contract for how any difference and margin are handled.
In MyConstruct construction estimating, you can mark items as PC or PS, and markup is switched off on them by default. Here's how it works:
IMPORTANT NOTE:
[ By default when you import CSV files or mark an item as PC/PS in the inventory manager, MyConstruct will disable markup, you will have to manually override this if you wish to still apply markup. ]
You can disable or enable adding markup to these items by using the "Disable Markup" option in the inventory manager or by setting it individually on the line items in an estimate (clicking the cog icon on the item row).
No markup ensures your client will not over spend the allowance, this is a safeguard for users to ensure that the PC/PS sum does not increase and therefor their client taking advantage of the inflated spending figure.
Simple version:
Prime Cost Allowances
A Prime Cost (PC) item is an item (e.g.. a fixture or a fitting) that either has not been selected, or the
price of which is not known, at the time of the formation of this quote, and the cost for the supply and delivery of which
the Contractor has made a reasonable allowance for this quote.
Provisional Sum Allowances
A Provisional Sum (PS) means an estimate of the cost of carrying out the particular work (including the
cost of supplying any materials need for the work) in this quote for which the Contractor, after having made all
reasonable enquiries, could not state a definite amount at the time of the formation of this quote.
Though all MyConstruct tools will allow you to enable markup if you wish to do so.
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Source: Master Builders WA
Prime Cost (PC) items and provisional sums (PS) are two items in a standard building contract which cause great confusion among home buyers. Most building contracts are called “fixed price contracts”, but the final contract sum can vary due to fluctuations in PC and PS items.
A PC item is an amount of money included in a contract sum to purchase a specified item such as tiles, taps, doors or bathroom fittings. An agreed estimated amount is included at contract signing but the specific products are not selected until a later stage. Under the Home Building Contracts Act (1991) a builder must estimate the cost of such items at or above the lowest amount these items could reasonably cost, which must not be understated.
For example if a client selects a more expensive door than allowed by the PC item, say a $500 door compared with a $440 PC amount, a variation will be required to cover the additional $60. If the PC item varies, so will the final contract sum.
A provisional sum is an amount of money included in the contract sum to cover work or materials, or both, the extent of which cannot be specifically detailed when entering a contract. Typically, builders will include a PS for sitework costs. The builder is legally required to take reasonable steps to ensure an accurate site works cost estimate. However, in some circumstances, unforeseen events mean that the provisional sum is exceeded, sometimes by a significant amount. This can be added to the contract sum.
For example, a building site may seem sandy and clean with minimal siteworks required. However, there may be large limestone rocks or tree trunks concealed below the surface which only emerge once siteworks commence, causing a considerable cost overrun.
Buyers need to plan for these contingencies. Careful upfront thinking about tile and door selection or other PC items can ensure that an accurate PC amount is included in the contract. Moreover having a “buffer” amount in your financial budget to cover any unexpected provisional sum overruns is desirable.
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