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Although work on many construction sites around the UK stopped during the nationwide lockdown earlier this year, the sector appears to be bouncing back from the crisis and there are even some who are suggesting that it could have helped the construction industry.
An article for Planning and Building Control Today recently explored how construction is recovering, and highlighted the ways in which the pandemic may have helped move the industry forwards.
Construction specialists from Fieldfisher Cecily Davis, Dan Preston and Helen Andrews told the news provider that the pandemic has resulted in a number of changes to working practices that are having a positive impact.
One of the first areas where there has been a benefit is in terms of streamlining the workforce on site at any time.
“The stripping back of project teams necessitated by the pandemic revealed the top-heavy and potentially inefficient nature of many construction workforces,” the experts noted. However, they stressed that the changes weren’t about cutting jobs, but were instead about ensuring people and their skills were used more effectively.
Subcontractors in particular have anecdotally reported feeling more trusted to do their jobs when there are fewer levels of management physically on site.
Technology has played a key role too, with smart cameras and sensors enabling both project managers and clients to keep an eye on productivity and progress without having to physically be on a construction site.
The infection control measures, which limit how many people can be on site at a time, have also eased congestion and made it easier for people to do their jobs.
Improved workforce planning is another positive side effect of the pandemic, the authors of the article claimed. In addition, the shift towards offsite construction to further improve productivity in the industry.
“More competition in offsite manufacturing will also drive quality improvements and reduce costs further. If these prove persuasive, over the next two to three years, the industry could see a major shift towards volumetric modular solutions,” they predicted.
The lockdown also highlighted the incredibly tight supply chain margins that the industry operates with, as well as the lack of local sourcing options for many materials.
While there is no quick-fix for these issues, the authors noted that it has highlighted the need for the construction industry to take action and consider how it can make this area of the sector more sustainable in the long term to ensure supply security.
Earlier this month, the IHS Markit/CIPS construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the UK highlighted a steep increase in UK construction activity at the end of the third quarter of the year.
The data showed that new orders within the sector hit their highest level since before the pandemic took hold in March.
Meanwhile, confidence in the 12-month business outlook was at its strongest since February this year, with many of those who shared their views citing an expectation in a sustained increase in new work as the reason for their optimism.
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