Cogent Managing Director Kevin James shared his insights for the Construction Industry with the Irish Times – reporting that key materials and energy inflation have stabilised, however labour continues to be a pressure point and rising interest rates are influencing institutional investors.
Full Article: Irish Times
Tags: Irish Times, construction costs, kevin jamesThe latest SCSI Tender Price Index report indicates an easing of construction price inflation, attributed to fuel and energy prices abating, coupled with a slight easing in supply chain issues.
The latest Index shows that, while costs are continuing to rise, the rate of inflation eased significantly towards the end of last year to 4%.
SCSI president Kevin James said:
“While there are signs the rapid rate of construction inflation has peaked, it is also likely the increased costs of fuel and energy will continue to impact manufacturers for the foreseeable future. The SCSI Tender Price Index has risen by a record 26 per cent over the last two years and concern remains as to how long it will take for inflation to fall to more acceptable levels”.
The Tender Price Index is compiled by Chartered Quantity Surveying members of the SCSI. The Tender Price Index 2H 2022 is based on sentiment returns only.
Tags: tender price index, SCSI, kevin james
Cogent Managing Director and SCSI President Kevin James shares key recommendations for Government, on the back of the latest SCSI Tender Price Index results.
Commercial construction tender price inflation is running at 14%, following an average increase of 7.5% in the first 6 months of this year.
The SCSI recommends to Government to address inflation by focusing on soft costs such as planning reforms and utility connection charges. Government should reduce overall levels of risk and costs of delivery where they can, such as reducing planning delays and timelines.
Tags: tender price index, SCSI, kevin james
Yesterday our Managing Director Kevin James and Oakmount’s Lisa Rocca shared insights with the joint committee of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on behalf of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.
A range of short, medium and long-term actions were tabled to help make residential projects more viable. There followed a Q&A session with the 13 Deputies and Senators in attendance, with the focus on construction costs and a series of recommendations to improve the speed and cost efficiency of construction.
The opening statement by the SCSI is available here and the full submission, here.
A recording of the session, which includes the opening statements by the panel and an extensive Q&A session is available here.
Tags: construction costs, residential, SCSI, kevin jamesCogent Associates Managing Director Kevin James shares some insights into the challenges facing the construction industry in a post-Covid environment, in the current issue of The Public Sector Magazine – recommending due diligence reviews on the supply chain for all public sector projects and how an understanding of the factors affecting a project is key to determining viability and value for money.
Managing Director of Cogent Associates Kevin James explains, “We are engaging with clients at a time when the industry is facing a whole new set of challenges, post Covid and as a consequence of Brexit. Discussions are focused on the direct impact this will have on their projects progressing, considering construction is experiencing skills shortages, material shortages, inflationary increases, regulatory changes, as well as increased insurance premiums and claims.
“Contractors are dealing with immediate shortages in the supply of steel, timber and cladding and some are quoting a 10% increase in tender prices. Skilled labour is in short supply – AHBI is reporting that over 10,000 wet skilled resources left the country during Covid and have not returned – and there are reports that some are remaining on PUP payments rather than returning to work. While both public and private sector clients compete for the same limited resources, the construction industry is simply not in a position to deliver on previous commitments. It is essential therefore that project & cost managers reassess the supply chain with effective and ongoing due diligence exercises.”
Awareness and a detailed understanding of the factors affecting a project is key. For example, clients who have not yet appointed a main contractor may face less interest from contractors and the likelihood is that they will incur increased costs. This affects both viability and “value for money” assessments. Similarly, those who have appointed design teams and contractors face the financial uncertainty of claims for prolonged delays during Covid 19.
Knowledge and visibility of what is coming down the line is more necessary than ever to proactively manage risks and reduce any negative impact.
“The months ahead will be very challenging and proactive measures can help to alleviate the burden. Fundamentally however, regulatory reform is needed to provide the flexibility required to respond, in particular public procurement rules and the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). For example, the residential sector is predicted to deliver 16,000 of the required 33,000 homes in 2021, however the time required to procure individual firms or multidisciplinary teams, to complete the design process and procure the contractor is too complex and too long, making it difficult to scale up to meet the predicted levels of social and affordable housing.” James continues. There is no flexibility in the tender award process to allow for legitimate price increases, such as the escalating material costs that contractors are facing at the moment, which is resulting in them having to withdraw their tender offer. If this is permitted to continue it will negatively impact on the governments’ ambitious Capital Expenditure programme.
“Equally, the planning process, which has been subject to much debate, does not provide the surety needed by clients to manage programme risk. As such, resulting delays lead to increased commercial risk, affect viability and compromise quality.
Further clarity and decisiveness is required from Central Government for the replacement to the Strategic Housing Development planning process, which will be crucial for the delivery of the current pipeline and future growth.
“Whilst the norms have been challenged and we have been forced to transition, there are encouraging developments within the construction industry as it continues to embrace innovation and technological change. Great strides have been made in the development of modern methods of construction, as well as sustainable and energy efficient design principles and practices.
The full article is available on page 120 of The Public Sector Magazine.
Tags: Public Sector Magazine, Due Diligence, kevin jamesKevin James this morning spoke about the “The Real Costs of New Apartment Delivery” Report published by the SCSI today.
The Key Findings were as follows:
For full report here
Tags: kevin james, apartment delivery costs