BSRIA has just published this year's operation and maintenance benchmarking report as a guide for building operators to evaluate their performance against their peers.
The report includes real-life data on maintenance, energy, soft services, and in the light of the forthcoming 'Waste Review' due to be published by the Government, it includes waste for the first time.

The data was collated in consultation with members of the BSRIA's O&M Benchmarking Network. With expertise in helping facilities managers operate their buildings more efficiently, BSRIA is acting through the network as a valid and authoritative focal point for building operators aiming to improve their performance.

The new report revealed that the total maintenance cost range for offices is very similar to last year even though the number of office data submitted has increased significantly. The average cost for total maintenance across all the building types is £23.17 per m^² GIA, this is an increase of £9.90 compared with last year. This year, industry standard published maintenance cost codes have been used to examine maintenance costs in more detail. Real estate management expenditure is one example, where the average cost across all the building types is £4.85per m^² GIA compared to the industry benchmark of £5.11 per m^² GIA.

The data on waste shows contract costs and the different types of bins used. However, as some members had difficulty separating out their recycled and landfill costs, the report shows the average total waste contract cost across all the building categories' which is £1.62 per m^² GIA.

As far as the profile of the contributors is concerned, a large increase in the response from schools & seasonal public buildings was evident, comparing to only 2 per cent of responses last year.