BRANZ Universal Design Costing Estimator
- Abbreviation
- BRANZ UDCE
- Valid from
- 29/07/2016
- Information provider
- BRANZ Limited
- Information type
- Tool
- Format
- Website
Description
It is considerably cheaper to build universal design (UD) features into a new house compared to retrofitting the same house. This is true for any house type and size.
In 2011, BRANZ conducted research to determine the likely costs of UD for a range of variables, such as house size, new-build versus retrofit and the extent of changes needed to bring the design up to a minimum level of performance. The core features selected to make a home meet a minimum UD level are based on accessibility, usability and inclusiveness.
Two standards were used to determine what these minimum features needed to be:
- NZS 4121:2001 - Design for access and mobility: Buildings and associated facilities; and
- The LifeMark specification.