Retail Construction Cost Planning: Balbriggan, Ireland

Balbriggan retail cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 152.8, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.

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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/IRL/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames IE dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/IE.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 2966794). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

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Direct answer

For early retail construction cost planning in Balbriggan, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Ireland construction price-level index of 152.8, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Balbriggan EUR/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Ireland in 2021; it does not measure a Balbriggan market basket or current retail tenders. GeoNames 2966794 records the locality at 53.6085, -6.1831, with snapshot population 21,722. That ranks Balbriggan 25 of 50 listed places, while Drogheda is the nearest listed peer at about 16 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.

Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.

What does the 152.8 construction index mean?

The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Ireland is 152.8, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that retail work in Balbriggan costs 1.528 times a current world rate.

Which Balbriggan inputs are known?

The reproducible locality point is 53.6085, -6.1831 (GeoNames 2966794). Its snapshot population is 21,722, ranked 25 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a populated place in administrative area L. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.

What must a project estimate add?

For a Balbriggan retail project, reconcile shell condition, tenant fit-out, servicing, trading constraints and landlord works. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.

Estimate field	Screening record	Project requirement
National context	ICP 2021 PLI 152.8	Retain only as dated cross-country context
Local EUR/m² rate	Not supplied	Current comparable with named source and base date
Area and scope	Gross floor area; scope unresolved	Measurement standard, specification and procurement route
Additions	Not supplied	Taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation
Review	Automated source and arithmetic QA	Qualified local cost review

Balbriggan comparable-location search screen

This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.

Listed place	Great-circle km from Balbriggan	Snapshot population	Admin area
Drogheda	16	44,135	L
Swords	17	40,776	L
Malahide	18	16,550	L
Donaghmede	23	15,299	L
Finglas	26	19,768	L
Kilkenny	128	21,589	L
Wexford	143	21,524	L
Greystones	53	22,009	L

Price-level normalization worksheet

For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (152.8 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 1.528; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.

Input	Recorded value	Release condition
Target national PLI	152.8 (World = 100, 2021)	Screening context only
Reference construction PLI P	User-supplied from the same ICP classification/year	Must match reference rate country
Validated reference rate R	User-supplied	Named source, currency, date, area and scope
Local Balbriggan adjustment	Not asserted	Replace with current local comparable evidence
Result status	Screening normalization	Not a budget, quote or tender estimate

Sources and method

National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames IE dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 2966794). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 152.8 index give a retail cost per m² for Balbriggan?

No. 152.8 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Ireland, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Balbriggan EUR/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.

How should a Balbriggan retail estimate replace this screening benchmark?

Collect current Balbriggan comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile shell condition, tenant fit-out, servicing, trading constraints and landlord works, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.

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