NO, Cost of construction is related to use of materials, labour, specialist components, equipment and machinery. Cost is also influenced by time-related factors.
Steel construction achieves high levels of productivity and therefore labour costs are reduced both in the factory and on the construction site in comparison to site-based construction.
Speed of construction and safety are increased by the higher levels of pre-fabrication implicit in steel-intensive construction systems.
Cost studies have shown that steel construction leads to cost savings of up to 6% relative to concrete, for a 6 storey apartment building in an urban location.
The cost of the steel framework is typically only 12-15% of the as-built cost of the building, and therefore it is the influence of the choice of structure on the other building components and on speed of installation, which are the dominant contributory factors in achieving savings in the construction process. Snagging and call back costs are reduced and drying out minimised as steel is a stable structural material.
Life cycle costing shows that in housing, the operational costs can be more than the construction costs over a 50 year life, and therefore, the operational benefits due to energy savings, low maintenance and flexibility in use are of prime importance in choosing the method of construction.
The Cyril Sweet report 'Kingspan Off-site: Architectural Façade Benchmark Study' illustrates that having allowed for initial cost differentials, substantial potential cost savings can result. There are also intangible savings due to:

• No wet trades required
• No waste materials on site
• Reduced storage by 'just in time' delivery
• Weather proof building envelope achieved quicker
• Reduced labour numbers and skills
• Dimensional accuracy achieves high quality of finish

These findings are confirmed by the National Audit Office's report 'Using modern methods of construction to build homes more quickly and efficiently' and the Barker 33 Cross-Industry Group report 'Analysis of Barriers to the greater use of MMC in the provision of new mixed tenure housing'.

• Overall value for money (running and maintenance costs)

Barratt conducted a limited but controlled experiment with like users in identical house plans built using different forms of construction. The results demonstrated that light steel framing produced lower household running costs and greater comfort to the user.
Another client has just completed an independent assessment which shows that running costs for a 2 bedroom apartment built using volumetric construction are an average of £5 per week less than a similar apartment built using traditional methods.

• Peripheral savings

In addition, because of the way they are insulated, light steel frame properties heat up quicker in winter than those built in traditional materials; in summer they cool down quicker when naturally ventilated.

Energy use and C02 Reduction

• C02 production in service is reduced by energy efficient design, which can be improved by off-site manufacture.
• Renewable energy systems can be introduced in to the roofing and cladding, and as part of the whole building system.
• Embodied energy is minimised by the use of light weight construction. The steel use is typically only 40 kg/m2 floor area.
• High levels of thermal insulation can be achieved cost effectively.
• Air-tight buildings can be achieved which reduces heat loss.
• Steel buildings can be extended and modified easily in the future, which reduces future energy demand.

Water

• Water is recycled during steel production.
• Steel technologies are essentially 'dry' processes on site.

Materials

• Steel based systems score A or A+ rating under BRE's 'Green Guide to Housing Specification'.
• Steel is reliable in terms of its properties and is robust to damage and durable. Steel components are free from movements and cracking due to creep and shrinkage.
• Materials are used efficiently in off-site manufacture by exact ordering of materials, reduction in waste etc.
• Transport of materials and products is minimised by pre-fabrication. Components can be delivered 'just in time' to site.
• Steel can be fully recycled or re-used. The asset value of the components is maintained, when the building is dismantled.
• Steel frames also recover more speedily from flood damage. Drying out time is minimised leading to faster occupancy following floods.

Pollution

• Steel components are inert and do not deteriorate or lead to waste.
• Steel is non-combustible and does not add to the fire load.

Health & well being

• Excellent acoustic insulation is achieved.
• Flexible space provision allows for multi-use, and can create a 'live-work-play' environment.
• Minimum disruption occurs during construction process, which is especially important for renovation projects.
• 'Gas tight' and 'water tight' ground floors can be achieved.
• Private balcony space can be provided by attachment to the steel structure.
• Off-site processes improve on-site safety. Conditions for workers are much improved by the high levels of investment in off-site manufacture.

Management

• Neighbourhood disruption by site activities during the construction process is limited.
• Steel suppliers are members of 'considerate constructors' scheme.
• Compliance with Secured by Design.
• Urban residential projects provide better links to transport, and steel buildings can be constructed next to transport links.

Ecology

• Steel buildings may be designed to minimise the impact on the local environment. Green roofs can be provided.
• Building footprints are reduced by building to medium or high-rise in steel.

The life span of cold formed steel in warm frame construction is well in excess of 60 years. Warm frame construction is where the lightweight steel is enveloped in thermal insulation such that the dew point falls outside of the frame and hence minimises the risk of condensation forming on the frame. For best practice and support evidence refer to SCI publication P262: 'Durability of Light Steel Framing in Residential Building'. The third party certificates held by SHG members include an assessment of durability.

YES, Time is measured in terms of speed of construction, as the faster the construction process, the greater the potential savings in cost to the client and main contractor, due to;

• Fixed site facilities
• Less disruption (particularly important in building extensions)
• Opportunity costs of resources and staff involved in the project
• Interest due to borrowing
• Early income from rental or business use

All types of steel construction are highly pre-fabricated and are installed rapidly on site, leading to time-related benefits.
A key indicator is the time to create a weather-tight envelope, which can reduce to 20% of the time required for traditional brick and block construction. The overall on-site construction period can be reduced by as much as 60%. These time-related benefits lead to an earlier return on the client's investment.
Due to its quick build time, light steel framed construction is particularly suitable to apartment schemes; the structure is water tight earlier which allows earlier access for follow on trades. Consequently, the first dwelling is available for occupation earlier than in traditional build.
The SCI, funded by the BERR and Corus, has carried out an in-depth study of several construction sites involving various levels of off-site techniques. The findings of the SCI study support the widely-held view that off-site construction is significantly faster than traditional construction. This was an important factor in the construction of 3 schools in Crawley, West Sussex. These schools had to be built to a tight timescale; in one case this meant slashing the programme from 76 to 54 weeks. This represents a 29% reduction in the construction period, which agrees well with a time saving of 25% reported by the National Audit Office.

YES, as in all forms of construction, the structure can accommodate all services from power to gas and soil pipes/drainage and ventilation. Studs, floor joists etc can be designed to accommodate service runs. Where early information is provided the number of holes required can be reduced. Where electric cables are located within the frame, care should be taken when drilling into walls.

YES, test data has shown that the light steel framed product matches and regularly out-performs traditional build although, as always, results are reliant on close attention to detail and the quality of workmanship on site.