Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

Construction Doldrums ‘Turning a Corner’

Hopes of lower interest rates fuels optimism in the construction sector

UK construction companies have said they’re increasingly hopeful that the downturn which has hit the sector over the past year or so is coming to an end.

According to S&P’s construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI), optimism among construction companies reached its highest level in two years.

The sector has been hit hard by rising interest rates, which have sent a chill through the housing market and depressed new construction projects. However, it is all but certain that interest rates have reached a peak with policymakers at the Bank of England suggesting rate cuts are a “when” rather than an “if”.

This has sparked confidence that the sector could rebound in 2024. Just over half of surveyed firms forecast a rise in business activity in the year ahead compared to just 12 per cent predicting a decline.

“Lower borrowing costs and higher consumer confidence were cited as factors likely to boost construction activity over the course of 2024.,” the report noted.

“UK construction companies seem increasingly optimistic that the worst could be behind them soon as recession risks fade and interest rate cuts appear close on the horizon,” Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence said.

“There were again signs that customer demand is close to turning a corner as total new orders fell to the smallest extent for six months,” Moore continued.

The improvement in confidence came despite another slight downturn in output in January and a marginal fall in new work.

Although this put house-building deep in negative territory, it was still the lowest rate of contraction since March 2023. Civil engineering and commercial property both recorded slight falls in January but edged closer to the 50 no-change mark.

Higher confidence among construction firms did not translate into hiring activity, with employment numbers falling fractionally in January.

The survey also showed that firms were dealing with the highest rate of input cost inflation since May 2023. “Some firms commented on higher prices paid for imported items, especially those that had incurred additional shipping costs,” the report noted.

 

Source: City A.M.

 

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Pioneering Timber Construction

Timber Development UK (TDUK) – the UK’s trade association for the timber supply chain – in collaboration with Waugh Thistleton Architects – have released a study on policies from across the globe which encourage the use of timber in construction.

Timber Policy is a comparative study of policies, across six countries, which can act as a powerful tool to support policy makers on their journey to decarbonise construction in the UK, and beyond.

Commissioned by TDUK and written by Waugh Thistleton Architects, this new report follows hot on the heels of the UK Government’s Timber in Construction (TiC) Roadmap, which aims to safely increase the use of timber in construction.

Timber is a low-carbon, natural, renewable material, at the heart of transitioning to a sustainable, circular economy for the UK and many nations around the world. This study is a snapshot of a rapidly evolving movement.

“What we need to see this year is ambition turned to action,” comments David Hopkins, chief executive of Timber Development UK. “This means forward-looking policy – and politicians brave enough to create a framework which places value on low-carbon construction.

“Timber is the ultimate low-carbon material, and countries across the developed world have rightly recognized this – working to create comprehensive policy frameworks that support the growth of the timber industry.

“The UK Government’s roadmap is a fantastic starting point, but without more action, there is a risk the UK falls behind. We need a clear timeline for change, starting with limits on embodied carbon in buildings, which is currently unregulated.

“Embodied carbon can account for more than half of the emissions of a building over its lifetime – hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon per year – but this is currently ignored by UK politicians and policy makers.

“Our new book, commissioned by TDUK and written by Waugh Thistleton Architects, highlights the policies being put in place in a variety of countries around the world.

“The UK Government, if they are serious about achieving the goals of their roadmap, now need to look at what policies would work in the UK. We hope that these examples give food for thought and we can start to engage policy makers on making this happen, rather than simply relying on the market to change.

“This year we must turn pockets of excellence, like the Stirling Prize winning Goldsmith Street, the Phoenix Development in Lewes, or the pioneering Black & White Building from exceptions to the norm. The opportunity has never been greater.”

Andrew Waugh, director and co-founder, Waugh Thistleton Architects, adds:

“As pioneers in timber construction, we are proud to collaborate with TDUK to author the Timber Policy Book. Working at the forefront of global timber construction and participating in extensive research with European partners, we understand first-hand the impact of government policies on sustainable, low-carbon construction.

“While the UK once led the world in mass timber construction, recent years have seen a shift in global leadership. Recent assessments, such as the Climate Change Committee’s critique of the UK Government’s Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, highlight the urgent need for accelerated policy development in the UK.

“We commend initiatives like the Timber in Construction Roadmap, our research for Timber Policy reveals that current UK efforts fall short of addressing the urgency of the climate crisis. Bold leadership, as demonstrated by progressive nations such as France, Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark, mandating limits on embodied carbon and investing in sustainable timber projects, is essential for a meaningful transition to a low-carbon future.

“Despite challenges, some progress in the UK is evident; for example, the DfE’s flagship project to standardise mass timber school fabrication underscores its commitment to innovation. Additionally, the Mass Timber Insurance Playbook and New Model Building Guides, funded by Built by Nature, a philanthropic organisation, provide invaluable resources for navigating the complexities of timber construction.

“The urgency of climate action cannot be overstated. With projections indicating a 1.5-degree increase in global temperatures by 2050 and up to 3 degrees by the end of the century, decisive steps must be taken. The Timber Policy book serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating how public-private partnerships can drive systemic change towards a sustainable future.”

This is the second in a trio of essential books, with the first edition Timber Typologies providing clarity on different timber systems. The final book in the series, Timber LCA, will demystify lifetime carbon analysis for timber buildings.

https://timberdevelopment.uk/

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Tracking the Cracks with US Robots

The system uses computer vision and machine learning programs to identify cracks in concrete

AI-guided robot assistants could identify and inspect damage to structures and buildings to prevent failures, according to the developers of a new system.

Augmenting visual inspection technologies with a new machine learning approach, the team from Drexel University in Pennsylvania created a system that they believe could efficiently find and assess ‘problem areas’.

“Our built environment is aging and failing faster than we can maintain it,” the researchers said. “Recent building collapses and structural failures of roads and bridges are indicators of a problem that’s likely to get worse, according to experts, because it’s just not possible to inspect every crack, creak and crumble to parse dangerous signs of failure from normal wear and tear.”

The new multi-scale system combines computer vision with a deep learning algorithm to pinpoint problem areas, before directing a series of laser scans of the regions to create a digital twin that can be used to assess and monitor the damage.

The process could “significantly reduce” the inspection workload and enable focused work to prevent structural failures, the researchers said.

“Cracks can be regarded as a patient’s medical symptoms that should be screened in the early stages,” said Arvin Ebrahimkhanlou and Ali Ghadimzadeh Alamdari, authors of the new research.

“Early and accurate detection and measurement of cracks are essential for timely diagnosis, maintenance, and repair efforts, preventing further deterioration and mitigating potential hazards.”

The American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated a backlog of $786bn in repairs to roads and bridges in the US. There is also a growing shortage of skilled infrastructure workers, including inspectors and repair workers.

Instead of a physical measurement, the new system sends a high-resolution stereo-depth camera feed of the structure into a deep learning program called a convolutional neural network. These programs, which are being used for facial recognition, drug development and deep fake detection, are gaining attention for their ability to spot the finest of patterns and discrepancies in massive volumes of data.

“The neural network has been trained on a dataset of sample cracks, and it can identify crack-like patterns in the images that the robotic system collects from the surface of a concrete structure. We call regions containing such patterns ‘regions of interest’,” said Ebrahimkhanlou.

Once the region of interest is identified, the program directs a robotic arm to scan over it with a laser line scanner, which creates a three-dimensional image of the damaged area. At the same time a Lidar camera scans the structure surrounding the crack. Stitching both plots together creates a digital model of the area that shows the width and dimensions of the crack, and allows workers to track changes between inspections.

“Tracking crack growth is one of the advantages of producing a digital twin model,” Alamdari said. “In addition, it allows bridge owners to have a better understanding of the condition of their bridge, and plan maintenance and repair.”

The team tested the system in the lab on a concrete slab with a variety of cracks and deterioration. In a test of its ability to detect and measure small cracks, the system was sensitive enough to pinpoint and accurately size the smallest of fissures – less than a hundredth of a millimetre wide – outperforming top-of-the-line cameras, scanners and fibreoptic sensors by what the researchers called “a respectable margin”.

While human inspectors would still make the final call on when and how to repair the damages, the robotic assistants could greatly reduce their workload. An automated inspection process could reduce oversights and subjective judgement errors.

“This approach significantly reduces unnecessary data collection from areas that are in good structural condition, while still providing comprehensive and reliable data necessary for condition assessment,” the researchers said.

The team envisions incorporating the multi-scale monitoring system as part of a larger autonomous monitoring framework including drones and other autonomous vehicles.

“We aim to integrate this work with an unmanned ground vehicle, enhancing the system’s ability to autonomously detect, analyse, and monitor cracks,” Alamdari said.

“The goal is to create a more comprehensive, intelligent and efficient system for maintaining structural integrity across various types of infrastructure. Additionally, real-world testing and collaboration with industry and regulatory bodies will be critical for practical application and continuous improvement of the technology.”

Source: i.mech

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Maximised garden space thanks to the STEPOC system from Ibstock

 

An architect’s detached property on the outskirts of Manchester made for an ideal home, apart from its sloping back garden which dramatically reduced the area of lawn that could be practically used.

The client bought the house two years ago but couldn’t utilise a large section of the extensive rear garden as it was part of an old railway embankment. However, this situation is being rectified by installing the STEPOC system – a precast concrete block retaining wall from leading building materials manufacturer Ibstock.

He commented:

“The rear retaining wall runs for 80 metres and is being created using STEPOC in four stages – with work on the last section starting in mid-January this year. The ground was showing signs of gradual slumping and there were a lot of trees that were not in the best shape and had to be removed. This included a mixture of species including Elm, Sycamore and Beech, but we will be replacing the trees once the work is completed.”

 

Daniel Blythe, Ibstock Infrastructure Business Partner, commented:

“The STEPOC system makes it possible to build almost anywhere, enabling plots previously thought too difficult to develop a viable proposition as it requires no mortar, no drying time and no waiting. It is solid as a rock and no specialist skills are required for installation – so general labourers with no bricklaying skills can do the work.

“The client clearly wasn’t getting the most out of his garden and he employed Bolton-based Redford Construction to carry out the work which has required 50 tonnes of STEPOC blocks to do the job. STEPOC are hollow blocks which allow for reinforcement bars to be inserted and for concrete to be pumped down through the interconnected cavities in the blocks.”

 

Redford Construction Director Stuart Jenkins said:

“The ground was shifting quite a bit and there were also a lot of trees. We sought advice from a structural engineer as it was clear a substantial retaining wall was needed and the STEPOC system was agreed to be the best solution of the options considered.

“We dug a toe into the actual ground, and it was important to accurately place the starter bars into the foundation. The first course of blocks was laid into the mortar and they needed to be completely level. The next step was to drill and fit in the vertical bars – in all we built-up 11 courses using STEPOC.”

 

The client is very pleased with the progress made so far and the end is now in sight. He added:

“The garden will be backfilled to make it level and, ultimately, we will create a terrace. The STEPOC system was the best for the job because of its usability, the minimisation of waste and reducing the amount of materials to be brought on-site like shuttering and plywood.”

CLICK HERE to find out more about the STEPOC system

 

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USA company embracing new technology through robotic roof truss assembly

LMC, the forest products and building materials buying group is shining the spotlight on one of its members who is embracing new technology.

Founded in 1952 by John Louws, Sr., Louws Truss has served Washington State as a truss manufacturer for over 70 years.

Under the leadership of third-generation owner B.J. Louws, the company has maintained its position as an industry leader with a focus on technology. John Louws, Sr. began manufacturing wall panels and roof trusses in the 1970s during the early days of component manufacturing.

Since, B.J. Louws has taken another step into the future by working with House of Design to build one of only a few robotic roof truss assembly plants in the United States.

Based in Nampa, Idaho, House of Design produces robotic systems that make the manufacturing of building and offsite construction components safer, sustainable, and more efficient.

Installed by Louws Truss in 2022, the robotic roof truss line concept is not new: the basics have been in place since 2013 and B.J. and his team have frequently tried and tested new processes.

Prior to the installation of the robotic system, Louws was pursuing continuous improvement and eliminating waste at all times.

“One of the differences between an old process and an improved process is that we used to touch a piece of lumber 14 times and now we touch it between 4 and 5 depending on the product mix,” B.J. Louws said. “It was both more efficient and less impactful on people.”

Louws adds that the company is in its third generation and wants to become a fourth and fifth generation company. “We are trying to build a company where people can build their careers,” B.J. says.

“People and culture and innovation all go hand-in-hand,” Louws notes. “With the right culture and team all pulling in the same direction, we are able to constantly pursue innovation. The team members are a big part of our success.”

Investments made in robotics and automation and a commitment to lean manufacturing helps Louws Truss avoid some of the pain points experienced by the industry, such as the skilled labor shortage and avoiding injuries.

Louws Truss is looking forward to replicating the success of its robotic roof truss assembly plant with a new robotic floor truss line in the coming years.

Louws has been a member of LMC since 2006.

With headquarters in Wayne, Pennsylvania, LMC is owned by independent lumber and building material dealers with more than 1,800 locations in the United States and the Bahamas.

Source: HBS Dealer

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At Home in a 3D House – Netherlands

Featured Image Credit: 3DPrintedHouse

Couple living in 3D printed concrete home for £1,100 a month reveal what it’s like

With 3D printing becoming increasingly popular, it seems a logical step that people would try to 3D print a house.

One project in the Netherlands has done just, building five houses using the process in 2021, and couple Elize Lutz and Harrie Dekkers receiving their ‘digital key’.

The bungalow, owned by real-estate investment company Vesteda, was being leased on six-month contracts at about $1,400 a month, Business Insider reported in 2021.

The homes are certainly a departure from a bricks and mortar house, with a summary of the project describing how it wants to explore the design possibilities from 3D printing.

Now obviously this is a bit different from a 3D printer you would have at home. The crane-mounted printer lays several thin layers of concrete which are stacked on top of each other, starting from the ground up.

There’s no steel frame or reinforced concrete, it’s just layer after layer of concrete mix, with the 3D printing also creating cavities to provide insulation and space for wiring and plumbing.

They look a bit like the filling of an oreo or an ice cream sandwich.

But what are they like to actually live in?

Lutz said: “I saw the drawing of this house and it was exactly like a fairytale garden,” adding: “It is beautiful.”

Dekkers added: “It has the feel of a bunker – it feels safe.”

It is hoped that the structure will help provide affordable housing that’s quick to construct.

 

The finished house. Credit: ROB ENGELAAR/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

In a press release, housing and spatial development alderman at the municipality of Eindhoven, Yasin Torunoglu, said:

“In addition to affordable homes, the market increasingly demands innovative housing concepts.

“With the 3D-printed home, we’re now setting the tone for the future: the rapid realization of affordable homes with control over the shape of your own house.”

At present, this process of building houses is still not more cost effective than older ways of doing so, despite reduced labour costs.

However, this is something that they hope to change in the future.

It is also hoped in the construction industry that the use of 3D printed construction could reduce the environmental impact, and also cut costs.

In the Netherlands it is also a way to keep up construction as the country faces a shortage of skilled bricklayers.

Construction company executive Bas Huysmans said:

“If you look at what time we actually needed to print this house it was only 120 hours.

“So all the elements, if we would have printed them in one go, it would have taken us less than five days because the big benefit is that the printer does not need to eat, does not need to sleep, it doesn’t need to rest.

“So if we would start tomorrow, and learned how to do it, we can print the next house five days from now.”

Source: UNILAD

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“Shortfalls” in fire safety at the Hinkley Point C construction site

THE OFFICE for Nuclear Regulation has served a series of Enforcement Notices for “shortfalls” in fire safety at the Hinkley Point C construction site relating to contraventions under the requirements of Article 22 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Pre-planned inspections across three days last November at the Unit 1 HR Building on the Somerset site led to Office for Nuclear Regulation officials identifying the breaches and issuing four Enforcement Notices. These have been served on licensee the NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd, contractors Bouygues Travaux Publics SAS and Laing O’Rourke Construction Limited (the joint venture partners in BYLOR JV) and REEL UK.

The Enforcement Notices require improvements to be made to address the shortfalls in compliance and prevent reoccurrence. Importantly, there have been no consequences for employees, members of the public or the environment as a result of the shortfalls.

That said, Office for Nuclear Regulation inspectors identified the potential for harm and risk of serious injury, which required regulatory action.

Shane Turner, superintending inspector and head of safety regulation at Hinkley Point C, said: “The Enforcement Notices require these four organisations to make improvements in fire safety arrangements at the Hinkley Point C site. We will now engage with each of them during the period of the Enforcement Notices to ensure positive progress is made.”

The Enforcement Notices require that necessary improvements are made by 31 March 2024.

Source: FSM (Fire Safety Matters)

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Cork Clad Extension Transforms Victorian Home

photography by Fred Howarth.

 

London studio Delve Architects has transformed a Victorian house in Camberwell with a cork-clad extension that introduces a bright open-plan kitchen and dining space for entertaining.

Appropriately named Camberwell Cork House, the 20-square-metre extension project replaces an existing kitchen and back room that the studio said was “cramped and dark”.

“The kitchen was small, cramped and dark, with a small door into the garden and no visual connection between interior and exterior,” Delve Architects told Dezeen.

“The intention was to maximise sight lines into the long garden and bring in light as much as possible.”

Camberwell Cork House’s dining room now extends out into the garden, enclosed by large triple-glazed windows and a 2.4-metre-high glass door with green-painted frames.

These large glazed areas focus attention on the outside while allowing westerly light to filter into the dining space.

According to Delve Architects, a key move to help make the space feel brighter and airier was to sink the extension, which required a step down from the main living spaces into the dining area.

“It is one of the design principles we propose for Victorian properties as it can often be achieved without major structural implications or underpinning – a simple step, but a highly beneficial one,” explained the studio.

Skylights also run along the length of the extension’s roof to drench the space with light from above.

Further supporting the connection between the home’s interior and the garden is a stretch of brick paving that runs from the patio and into the kitchen.

 

Another key element of the project was the use of cork, a renewable material harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, which is biodegradable, durable and insulating.

The natural material is used as cladding and insulation, forming part of a wider design strategy focused on minimising carbon emissions and energy bills.

However, Delve Architects aimed to ensure that its use of this contemporary material does not overshadow the existing Victorian architecture.

Cork cladding is only used on the rear side of the home, covering the facade of the extension, while internally it is only used as insulation. The extension also has a butterfly roof to echo the existing streetscape.

Delve Architects, a small studio set up in 2017 by two school friends based in south London, had not worked with the material before Camberwell Cork House.

According to the studio, by using it as both external cladding and a thermal insulator, the project aims to showcase the potential of cork beyond aesthetics.

 

 

 

“We want to show how decarbonising can be done at any scale and loved the challenge of working with this natural material,” said co-director Alex Raher.

Cork is used as part of a palette of materials that were chosen for either their low U-values or for being environmentally friendly. Others include hard-wearing terracotta floor tiles in the kitchen and water-based paints made using clay.

As well as opening up spaces at the back of the terraced house, Delve Architects has introduced a utility room and created a snug lounge at the front of the home.

To create a feeling of warmth, the walls and ceiling of the lounge are painted in a rich Venetian red.

Cork is increasingly being selected as a material for domestic architecture projects.

 

Source: Dezeen

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NHBC Standards Revision 2024

NHBC, the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider, has released its Technical Standards for 2024. The NHBC Standards define the technical requirements and performance standards for the design and construction of new homes registered with NHBC and provide guidance on how these can be achieved.

NHBC’s Standards are rigorously reviewed to drive incremental improvement and ensure that they continue to support builders and developers to deliver high-quality new homes.

 

Revisions to Standards for 2024

There have been several significant changes and updates across Parts 3 to 8. These include, but are not limited to:

  • a new chapter 4.6 – ‘Engineered fill’ in Part 4 covering NHBC guidance on meeting the Technical Requirements and recommendations for using engineered fill to support residential developments, external works and infrastructures
  • extensive revisions to chapter 6.1 including the provision of cavity trays to complicated junctions and additional insight on the design and specification of windposts
  • updates to chapter 6.3 regarding internal masonry walls and fire-stopping details
  • improvements to chapter 7.2 to provide more information on durability, ventilation strategies, integration of roof solar technologies and roof cassette systems
  • a revision of Part 8 (chapters 8.1 – 8.6) to improve the usability of the sections and improve guidance on heat pumps and solar photovoltaics, ensuring alignment with the Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition), and weep hole locations in relation to gas meter boxes.

 

Mark Russell, Standards & Policy Manager at NHBC commented,

“Our standards team is committed to continuous improvement and revising the Standards annually to ensure they remain current and relevant. I am proud to be part of such a robust process that continues to support the ongoing advancement of build quality and helps builders and developers to keep raising standards in house building.”

 

NHBC works continuously to review technical content, update the Standards and make sure they keep pace with the needs of the industry, the regulatory environment and, wherever possible, anticipate changing consumer expectations. It consults with stakeholders from across the industry to ensure the Standards are always relevant and provide the required support for builders and developers to keep raising the level of quality in house building.

 

This latest edition of the Standards will apply to every new home registered with NHBC where the foundations are begun on or after 1 January 2024.

 

For more information visit www.nhbc.co.uk/standards or purchase a printed copy from www.nhbc.co.uk/shop.

 

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RATE OF DECLINE IN CONSTRUCTION SLOWS AGAIN IN DECEMBER

  

KEY FINDINGS

 

Slowest decline in total activity for four months

 

Renewed rise in employment numbers

 

Suppliers’ delivery times improve again

 

 

December data indicated another solid fall in UK construction activity, although the rate of decline eased to the slowest since the current phase of decline began last September. A sustained slump in house building was the main factor holding back construction output, which survey respondents linked to elevated interest rates and subdued confidence among clients.

Improving supply conditions continued in December, with delivery times for construction items shortening for the tenth month in a row. Price discounting among suppliers contributed to a moderate fall in average cost burdens across the construction sector at the end of 2023.

At 46.8 in December,the headline S&PGlobal UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®) – a seasonally adjusted index tracking changes in total industry activity – was below the neutral 50.0 mark for the fourth month running. However, the index was up from 45.5 in November and the highest for four months.

House building remained the weakest-performing category of construction work in December (index at 41.1), despite the rate of decline easing to its slowest since July 2023. Civil engineering activity (index at 47.0) also posted a softer pace of contraction at the end of last year.

Commercial construction meanwhile declined only modestly (index at 47.6), but the speed of the downturn accelerated to its fastest since January 2021. Some firms noted that concerns about the domestic economic outlook, alongside elevated borrowing costs, had led to greater caution among clients.

Total new work decreased at the slowest pace since the current period of decline began in August 2023. Subdued customer demand across the house building sector was often cited as a factor leading to reduced order books.

A softer decline in new work and hopes of a turnaround in demand conditions during 2024 contributed to a renewed rise in employment numbers in December. However, the rate of job creation was only marginal.

Mirroring the trend for construction output, latest data indicated the slowest fall in purchasing activity for four months. Where a decline in input buying was reported, this often reflected a lack of new work to replace completed projects.

Lower demand for construction products and materials resulted in shorter wait times for suppliers’ deliveries in December. Improving vendor performance has been recorded in each month since March 2023. Survey respondents often noted that competition for market share among suppliers had led to price discounting at the end of last year. Average cost burdens across the construction sector decreased for the third month running in December, albeit only modestly and at the slowest pace during this period.

Finally, latest data indicated somewhat upbeat business expectations at UK construction companies for output levels during the year ahead. Around 41% of the survey panel anticipate an increase in business activity over the course of 2024, while only 17% predict a decline. Anecdotal evidence suggested that subdued forecasts for the UK economy were a key concern, while hopes of reduced interest rates and a turnaround in market confidence were factors cited as likely to boost construction activity.

 

 

Fraser Johns, finance director at Beard, said:

“In what has become a consistent theme for the industry, weak performance in the house building sector continues to hold back construction output and weigh heavily on overall new work.

“A key driver has been elevated borrowing costs and general uncertainty in the economy, which is also being felt in the commercial space – contributing to a modest decline in the sector. It may be the case that clients don’t quite have the confidence just yet to commit to large-scale construction projects. Saying that, our view on the ground in the south remains positive with high demand – particularly from frameworks, and growing interest on the south coast as we prepare to open our latest regional office.

“There’s no question that resilience is key at the moment and the ability for firms to hold their nerve. While 2024 will undoubtedly present its fair share of challenges, we are beginning to see some positive indicators for the year ahead and expectations of falling interest rates. However, this does depend on the appetite of the Bank of England and the economy avoiding any substantial shocks. There’s an element of controlling what we can control right now and nurturing those close relationships with clients as confidence begins to return.”

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB commented:

“December’s Construction Output data once again shows a continued decline in house building rates, with commercial construction rates also down. There are, however, positive signs that the rate at which activity within the industry is declining is starting to slow, giving hope that 2024 may be a year when we finally start to see improvement. If the Government is serious about substantially boosting the UK’s house building rates and the wider construction industry, it must look at this as an opportunity to make real progress.”

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