ADA requirements included in construction cost update.

Marshall & Swift has just revised the Marshall Valuation Service building cost data publication to include updated construction costs needed to meet the Federal "Americans With Disabilities Act" (ADA) requirements.

The law mandates barrier free access to public places. For new construction, the costs in meeting the access requirements are nominal, according to the cost data, Robert Crine, vice president of Marshall & Swift said, "probably not more than .5 to 1.0 percent of total building costs."

However, retrofitting existing buildings to meet the law's standards could be much more expensive. Costs for a broad range of mandated construction, ranging from installing entrance ramps and lifts to relocating sinks and adding emergency egress equipment are provided in the publication update.