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Questions & Answers.

Explore our FAQs to get the information you need — fast, clear, and easy to follow.

About the Data

Where does COSTUS get its data?

COSTUS combines real-world market intelligence with trusted industry sources. Our data is built from:
  • Live project pricing supplied by Hotcost, a market-leading estimating company, and suppliers across the UK.
  • Real-world rates and benchmarks, verified across active and completed M&E and building projects.
  • Regular updates to reflect the latest labour, material, and market conditions.
This ensures that the averages, m² benchmarks, and cost breakdowns in COSTUS are grounded in real industry activity — always reflecting current market conditions.

COSTUS data is continuously updated. We monitor live project pricing, supplier inputs, and industry benchmarks on an ongoing basis, adjusting figures as labour, material, and market conditions change. This ensures the averages, m² benchmarks, and cost breakdowns in COSTUS always reflect real-time industry activity always reflecting current market conditions.

Yes. COSTUS supplies benchmark data for estimates, but you can adjust the labour and material rates to match your own pricing, suppliers, or project conditions. Our role is to give you reliable, up-to-date market data — keeping you in control.

COSTUS provides benchmark data for guidance. While our figures are continuously updated from real projects and suppliers, final pricing may vary depending on project specifics, supplier terms, labour availability, and market conditions. We recommend using COSTUS data as a reliable reference point, to support your pricing decisions.

Using the App

Who is COSTUS designed for?

COSTUS is built for contractors across the mechanical, electrical, and building trades. Whether you’re a sole trader, a growing regional firm, or a national contractor, the platform provides accurate market data to support estimating, budgeting, and pricing decisions on projects of any size.

The COSTUS app is simple to use. You answer a few quick questions about your project — such as location, type, and size — and the app generates tailored cost data. This includes average labour and material rates, m² benchmarks, total cost breakdowns, and area-based budget estimates. All data is continuously updated giving you the confidence to make accurate, current pricing decisions.

Yes. COSTUS is designed to be fully mobile, anywhere you have internet connection. so you can access data directly from your phone or tablet while on site. Whether you’re checking labour rates, material costs, or m² benchmarks, the app gives you instant, up-to-date figures wherever you are.

Subscriptions & Billing

What plans are available?

COSTUS offers flexible subscription plans to suit different needs. You can choose from monthly, quarterly, or annual options, giving you full access to all data streams — including average labour and material rates, m² benchmarks, total cost breakdowns, and area-based budget estimates.

No — you can create an account and explore COSTUS without entering payment details. A credit card is only required when you choose a subscription plan.

Yes — if you’re on a monthly subscription, you can cancel at any time and your access will continue until the end of the current billing period. For quarterly or annual plans, your subscription runs for the full term, but you won’t be charged again once it ends.

Support

What if I need assistance?

Getting help is simple. COSTUS includes a built-in help centre with clear answers to common questions, plus personal support through Tidio live chat and email — have help when you need it.

Tidio Live Chat

Start a conversation with us directly in the app or website.

Email:

databycostus@costus.group

Download the COSTUS App

Access our powerful tools anytime, anywhere. Whether on-site or in the office, COSTUS helps you manage your project costs efficiently.

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