Guide to estimating the value of building work
The following table of fees is based on the Building Cost Information Service review of building prices
The cost of a building warrant is based on the value of any proposed building work. The tables below contain the minimum cost per square metre for a variety of different construction projects. The minimum estimated value will be updated annually. These tables will be used by building standards to determine the estimated value of any building warrants submitted. Once the estimated value of works has been calculated, the building warrant 
fee table [62.29KB] (also found within related documents) should be used to determine the building warrant fee. Payments can only be made online or by cheque, if paying by cheque, the cheque should be made payable to West Lothian Council.
Please note, when calculating the value of the works the tables below should be used as a guide, rather than any discounted costs which you might be able to achieve. For example, even if the labour was unpaid because it is a self-build project, the value of the building work should still include a fair assessment of the value of labour had commercial contractors undertaken the work.
| Building Type | Minimum estimated value (£/m2) |
|---|---|
| Single storey one off housing (up to 3 units) | 1166 |
| Multi storey one off housing (up to 3 units) | 1432 |
| Single Storey estate housing | 1033 |
| Two storey estate housing | 914 |
| Three storey estate housing | 903 |
| Housing conversions involving major internal work (assume structure intact) | 694 |
| Single storey extension / Conservatories | 1166 |
| Multi storey extension | 1432 |
| Garages/outbuildings (Generally and un-heated) | 357 |
| Building Type | Minimum estimated value (£/m2) |
|---|---|
| Agricultural buildings (Generally) | 169 |
| Factories (Generally) | 657 |
| Purpose built factories/offices | 703 |
| Warehouses/stores (Generally) | 553 |
| Offices (Generally) | 1290 |
| Retail Warehouses (Generally) | 616 |
| Supermarkets (Generally) | 1204 |
| Shops (Generally) | 786 |
| Health centres/clinics (Generally) | 1569 |
| Nursing Homes | 1216 |
| Restaurants | 1926 |
| General purpose halls | 1481 |
| Schools (Generally) | 1618 |
| Office conversions involving major work | 701 |
| Shop conversions involving major work | 1145 |
| Warehouse/stores conversions involving major work | 558 |
| Public houses conversions involving major work | 776 |
