As I grow older, and hopefully wiser, I have become almost numb to ever increasing regulations, rules and standards. What was once simple and easy is now complicated and costly. I believe the added layers of regulations, some redundant upon redundant, are a major factor in increasing the cost of construction, particularly in the commercial arena. Whether it is well intended environmental regulations or imposed seismic standards, they add costs, in some cases a heavy cost. I would think this could explain why school construction per square foot has almost doubled in recent years, and the yet prevailing “wage” rates seem to remain fairly stable.

I am not proposing negating safety, sustainable construction or compliance, it is simply that regulation upon regulation, often conflicting with each other, has created more confusion and added costs.