Reliable cost estimates informed by timely and accurate data will help to drive project success in 2026 and beyond, a leader in cost management says.

Speaking during an interview amid the , Niall Mc Aree, Director at Rawlinsons Cost Data, told Sourceable that the importance of cost estimation should not be underestimated.

According to Mc Aree, reliable cost estimates informed by accurate data are critical in helping to:

• Assess and determine project viability.
• Establish reliable project budgets and benchmarks.
• Support and inform decision making through the project’s lifespan.
• Identify projects which are over budget and decide upon corrective action.

Mc Aree says that this is particularly important as cost escalation rates are likely to re-accelerate throughout 2026 on account of ongoing skilled labour shortages amongst other cost pressures.

The effect will be particularly severe in Queensland – where accelerating construction demand will be driven by work associated with the Olympic Games, renewable energy, healthcare and housing.

In some cases, these pressures may challenge contractor viability and lead to insolvency challenges.

(dashboard of Rawlinsons Cost Data Platform)

New era in cost data

Mc Aree’s comments come as Rawlinsons has launched its Rawlinsons Cost Data Platform.

The platform is a critical tool for building contractors, quantity surveyors, estimators, project managers and anyone who relies upon or uses construction cost information. It provides comprehensive data and insights in a single, easy-to-use platform.

It builds on Rawlinsons’ history of providing Australia’s most comprehensive library of construction cost information.

This started with the first edition of its Construction Handbook in 1983. It has now grown to the extent that the company has over 14,000 lines of cost data from across Australia in its commercial database across multiple regions.

The new platform moves this into the digital sphere and makes critical data available anywhere, anytime via a web-based subscription service.

This includes benchmark building rates, elemental cost breakdowns, detailed trade rates, labour norms, regional indices, market insights and more.

According to Mc Aree, a feature of the platform is its ease of use.

After selecting from three different tiers of subscription, users gain instant 24/7 access to Rawlinsons’ cost data library. They simply login and use the search function to locate the data which they need.

To facilitate easy access to the right information for particular tasks, the data is structured to help perform the task on hand.

This starts with high-level data for early project stages through to detailed information as the project progresses.

In early project planning, users choose their building type and location, and the cost database supplies a $/m2 rate to create an overall budget.

At the other end of the cost data spectrum, users can drill down into detailed work items to get specific unit rates for thousands of supply and install costs such as plasterboard or concrete.

In addition to the data, an in-built Knowledge Hub tool will assist users to easily understand how to build estimates as well as how to understand and apply supplementary information, regional loading and market conditions.

As the platform is continually updated, users enjoy seamless access to the latest data at all times.

To facilitate information sharing and collaboration, additional subscriptions are available at a discounted price once a base subscription has been purchased.

Mc Aree says the platform is a valuable tool.

“The new platform will make our customers’ lives easier and more productive whilst arming them with the latest cost data available,” he said.