In November 2004 the Nordic Council of Ministers together with the Nordic countries, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland decided to initiate a collaboration by approving an action plan for improved co-operation between the countries concerned in the area of construction and building. The co-operation will take place through the following activities: to make market information and information on national regulations accessible to potential actors on the market to expand the basis of experience and newfound knowledge in housing construction to undertake a comparative analysis of regulations within the building sector intended to serve as a basis for deliberations on possible harmonization to make it possible to compare competency requirements imposed on certain actors in the building process to establish a network for joint research and development on issues relevant to the plan of action This report is a descriptive compilation of initiatives taken to reduce housing construction costs in the countries concerned. The aim is to provide a picture of the prospects for a future co-operation for the purpose of exchanging experience and newfound knowledge concerning how construction costs can be reduced. As there is a great interest in further co-operation among the experts taking part in the project one recommendation is to plan a programme for future work. The report also includes main lines of such a programme.