---
title: Gold Plating
tags:
  - status/complete
  - topic/construction
  - topic/construction/electrical
  - topic/risk
  - type/encyclopedia-entry
---
# Gold Plating

Gold plating, also "overengineering", is the frustratingly common design practice
of arbitrarily requiring components or methods far more stringent than typical.

In [[construction-estimating]],
such cases quickly reveal every error of assumption made by the estimator.

> [!example] Aluminum Feeders ILO Copper
> The typical value engineering option for electrical installations
> is to use aluminum wiring in lieu of copper above a certain size.
> Assuming competent installation,
> such an option is strictly functionally equal to the design.
> There is _no_ difference to capacity, future expansion, or long-term maintenance.
> Moreover, the substitution is invisible to the client,
> such that they would have to employ an electrician
> to determine whether it had been taken.

Such issues are usually VE'd out of scope before award.
It often goes that projects are designed in gold,
but built in cardboard.

Clients tend to want the highest end---
and design firms are incentivized to provide---
but seeing the bill tends to reorganize priorities.

For some owners, though, money is no object,
and standardization is far more important
than any potential construction savings.
These owners can be expected to decline
every value engineering option offered.
