Question: What does the historical cost principle mean for plant assets? the historical cost principle means that cost consists of all expenditures necessary to acquire the asset and make it ready for its intended use cost consists of some expenditures necessary to acquire the asset and make it ready for its intended use cost consists of all expenditures necessary to acquire the asset only cost consists of some expenditures necessary to acquire the asset cost consists of all expenditures necessary to acquire the asset and make it ready for its intended use