With construction sites reopening, another problem now facing the industry is the shortage of materials and delivery delays.
As a Nation Federation of Builders representative of the SJCC explained.
“It’s good to hear that it is business as usual regarding planning, but typical projects, even when planning permission is granted, then have a number of conditions put in place laying down the type of structure to be built and the materials to be used.
“These are all valid; however, if the product being specified is bespoke and/or needs to be imported, then in normal circumstances this can be a lengthy process. And, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline is extending further and being compounded by a rise in the price of materials as demand increases.
“Now more than ever the whole project team should be giving consideration to the source and choice constraints around material specification. For instance, unless it is pivotal to the setting of the building, rather than stipulating a handmade brick from say, Italy, there should be alternative options, which allow for comparative quotes and orders to be placed for materials that are more readily available.
“We need to be promoting that construction is open for business; therefore, all parties involved in the construction process need to adopt a collaborative and pragmatic approach to working within the new rules and processes, to ensure we keep the sector moving.”
Written by Sue Wilcock with quotes by SJCC committee members for an article in the East Anglia Daily Times. Click here for the full article.
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