BCIS 2026 Build Cost per sqm

BCIS general building cost index is the working source for new-build £/sqm. Q2-2026 vintage. North West sits at index 100. Other regions adjust either side; London Outer is around index 119. ONS construction output inflation is the index escalator used between BCIS quarterly cuts.

Q2 2026 regional table

Region	Low £/sqm	Mid £/sqm	High £/sqm	Index
London (Outer)	2,650	3,050	3,700	119
South East England	2,350	2,700	3,200	107
South West England	2,200	2,550	3,050	102
East of England	2,300	2,650	3,150	104
East Midlands	2,050	2,400	2,850	95
West Midlands	2,100	2,450	2,900	96
Yorkshire and the Humber	2,000	2,350	2,800	93
North West (BCIS baseline)	1,950	2,300	2,750	100
North East	1,900	2,250	2,700	91
Wales	2,000	2,350	2,800	94
Scotland	2,050	2,400	2,850	96
Northern Ireland	1,850	2,200	2,650	88

Methodology

BCIS aggregates tender prices from a large UK sample, weighted by project size and type. Rates are tender-priced (not actual completion). Inflate between cuts using ONS construction output inflation as the working escalator.

Sense-checks before relying on a rate

Building height: high-rise (>6 storeys) adds 10 to 20 percent to BCIS general.
Spec: passivhaus or low-carbon adds 15 to 25 percent.
Brownfield: contaminated remediation can add £200 to £500/sqm depending on profile.
Inflation: between BCIS cuts add ONS construction-output inflation pro-rata.

BCIS General Building Cost Index Q2 2026· Q2 2026Appraisal model reviewed by Oliver Wakefield-Smith (data integrity) with chartered-surveyor (MRICS) and CTA tax review. No affiliate links.