> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.laiout.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.laiout.co/organisation-settings/materials-costs-co2.md).

# Materials, Costs & CO2

<details>

<summary>What are the costs based on?</summary>

All costs are based on values input in the Materials & Costs tab. The default costs of Walls and Floors are a market estimation. Costs of furniture items integrated by laiout are EMEA prices from furniture providers and estimations for miscellaneous items. The CO2 values are provided by 2050 Materials, a company expert in CO2 calculation. Custom costs and user-uploaded furniture items are based on the values you give when adding an item or cost.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>How are furniture costs calculated?</summary>

Furniture costs are calculated by multiplying the cost of an item defined in the Materials & Costs tab by the number of its instances in the floor plan.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>How are wall costs calculated?</summary>

Wall costs are calculated by multiplying the total length of new or generated glass and solid wall segments by the cost value per running metre. Values are taken from the Materials & Costs tab.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>How are CO2 costs calculated?</summary>

CO2 costs are calculated as follows: for furniture, by multiplying the CO2 value of an item by the number of its instances in the floor plan. For walls, by multiplying the total length of new or generated glass and wall segments by the CO2 value per running metre. For floors and custom items, by multiplying the CO2 value by the NIA value. Values are taken from the Materials & Costs tab.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>How do you calculate the costs?</summary>

The costs are calculated taking into account all the furniture elements and partitions placed in the floor plan. These values can be edited in the Materials & Costs settings.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>How do you calculate the CO2?</summary>

The CO2 is calculated by taking into account the CO2 value of each single item in the floor plan.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>What kind of costs can I add?</summary>

In the Materials & Costs tab you can add a custom cost by clicking on the "Add" button, defining its name, cost per sqm/sqft, and optionally its CO2 cost. Custom costs are only calculated based on the floor's NIA value. You can also adjust the costs and CO2 costs of Partition Walls (solid and glazed) and all Furniture pieces available in the Furniture Library.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I add custom costs?</summary>

Yes. In the Materials & Costs tab you can add a custom cost by clicking on the "Add" button, defining its name, cost per sqm/sqft, and optionally its CO2 cost. Custom costs are only calculated based on the floor's NIA value.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>What are Cost Profiles?</summary>

Cost Profiles let you set up different tiers of costs and CO2 values for use across your organisation. Rather than being limited to a single set of cost assumptions, you can create profiles that reflect different clients, project types, regions, or refurbishment quality tiers (for example, low, medium, and high) and switch between them at any point.

**Video guide:** [laiout - Cost Profiles](https://youtu.be/ukHgeaEhDeQ)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Where do I create and edit Cost Profiles?</summary>

Cost Profiles are managed on your company profile under the Materials and Costs tab. At the top of the tab there is an arrow that lets you add as many profiles as you need. Each profile is edited within the same view.

**Video guide:** [laiout - Cost Profiles](https://youtu.be/ukHgeaEhDeQ)

</details>

<details>

<summary>What can I include in a Cost Profile?</summary>

Each Cost Profile can include costs and CO2 values, any custom cost elements you want to add, and updated furniture cost and CO2 values. This means an entire pricing and sustainability framework can be captured under a single profile.

**Video guide:** [laiout - Cost Profiles](https://youtu.be/ukHgeaEhDeQ)

</details>

<details>

<summary>How do I switch between Cost Profiles?</summary>

Once a layout has been generated, the Statistics panel lets you switch between the different Cost Profiles set up for your organisation. This means you can compare how the same layout performs under different pricing or sustainability tiers without leaving the Statistics view.

**Video guide:** [laiout - Cost Profiles](https://youtu.be/ukHgeaEhDeQ)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Are Cost Profiles saved per project or across my organisation?</summary>

Cost Profiles are saved per organisation. Once a profile has been created, it is available across all projects in your account.

**Video guide:** [laiout - Cost Profiles](https://youtu.be/ukHgeaEhDeQ)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can Cost Profiles be shared across my team?</summary>

Yes. Every user in your organisation has access to all Cost Profiles created within it, so your team works from a shared set of pricing and sustainability assumptions.

**Video guide:** [laiout - Cost Profiles](https://youtu.be/ukHgeaEhDeQ)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Do Cost Profiles replace the existing cost tier system?</summary>

Cost Profiles work alongside the existing cost tier system rather than replacing it. Both remain available at any time, so you can choose whichever approach suits your project and switch between them freely.

**Video guide:** [laiout - Cost Profiles](https://youtu.be/ukHgeaEhDeQ)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I edit costs in statistics?</summary>

Yes, by switching Cost Profiles. Once a layout has been generated, the Statistics panel lets you switch between the different Cost Profiles set up for your organisation, so you can compare how the layout costs change under different profiles without leaving the Statistics view. Individual line-item costs are still edited in the Materials & Costs tab.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Where did you get the pricing for the furniture catalogue?</summary>

The furniture prices reflect the EMEA prices of the furniture companies that provided the different pieces.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Where do the CO2 values come from?</summary>

The CO2 values are provided by 2050 Materials, a company expert in CO2 calculation. laiout works with 2050 Materials as a data partner to keep the CO2 database up to date and accurate.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to compare floorplan options using live metrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w)

</details>

***

## Video Guides

### Cost Profiles - Demo Video

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukHgeaEhDeQ>" %}

### Costs and Metrics - Demo Video

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDG9AGlA7w>" %}