Lead and lift

Lead is the horizontal distance over which a material (or excavated earth) is carried, from its source or place of loading to the point of use or disposal. It is measured in metres or kilometres, and for materials it decides the transport cost.

Lift is the vertical height through which the material is raised or lowered, for example from the excavated trench to the ground, or from the ground to the upper floor of the building. It is measured in metres.

Both add to the cost of the item, as extra labour or transport, over and above the initial lead and lift that are already included in the norm. Example: bricks carried 5 km from the kiln to the site (lead) and lifted to a 6 m high floor (lift).