Mr. Naren Chande reports

ALTUS GROUP RELEASES 2016 CONSTRUCTION COST GUIDE

Altus Group Ltd. today released its annual construction cost guide, the foremost publication for the construction and development industry, which assesses costs across all major Canadian markets.

In line with past publications and a robust supply of market data collected and categorized by Altus Group, the 2016 guide provides broader coverage and deeper market analysis by:

• Expanding the number of categories covered, in particular within the public sector, and by drawing on an in-house database with over $100-billion in hard construction costs and over 500 million square feet of data from the past six years;
• Examining lead factors that have an impact on construction costs in 2016, including the continued devaluation of the Canadian dollar and a material decline in crude oil price and other commodities;
• Analyzing price escalation impact in 2016; should devaluation of the Canadian dollar continue, coupled with strong construction starts, there is a recipe for above-normal escalation in a number of provinces.

"Altus Group continues to be the leading authority in the independent assessment of construction costs and schedule across Canada," said Naren Chande, senior executive vice-president, cost consulting, Altus Group. "With significant investments in technology, such as the expanded use of BIM and an unparalleled company-wide proprietary database, our leading experts provide clients with advice that enhances their ability to make informed decisions while maximizing value."

For more than 50 years, Altus Group's construction cost guide has provided insight into comprehensive real estate costs covering all aspects of construction and development budgeting and modelling. With a thorough understanding of both the demand and supply sides of the real estate equation, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of construction costs gained through Altus Group's cost consulting practice, the guide analyzes each market sector from a macro perspective.

This year's guide will be formally released at the company's private client event Navigating Change in Toronto on Jan. 29, 2016.

To download an electronic copy, please visit the company's website. To request a hard copy of the guide, please call 416-641-9500 or e-mail cost@altusgroup.com.