At this juncture in June 2021, with COVID-19, outworking of Brexit, coupled with relatively loose economic policies, the construction industry is facing many challenges, and all coming to a head, one way or another. Higher material prices High labour costs Availability and delivery issues Supply/demand imbalance Although some of the above may be described as […]

A trend emerging over recent months, on small, and certain larger jobs, is the builder quoting for labour etc and ‘letting’ the client supply the materials. This is the builder making sure they do not getting caught for the increasing cost of materials being quoted by various suppliers and the demand for payment ahead of […]

An old custom or saying, It’s sort of indicating an alternate way of thinking about things in life or saying 1 person together and another person together are greater than just the 2. I.e. if you ask most people what is the # 1 and #1, they say 2, however it also could be 11. […]

Within QUINTIN QS, one question we get often from both new and existing clients is how do retainers work and do I need one, or would we benefit from one? The correct answer depends on whether you are a one off client, a repeat client, a developer, large or small builder or sub-contractor. In general, […]

Following the recent trend of material suppliers issuing advisory letters on price increases and availability issues, attached is the overarching letter from CEF, the sole certified representative organisation for the construction industry in Northern Ireland.

Looking to respond constructively to the COVID-19 pandemic, many architects have turned to what they know best: design and innovation. The new restrictions placed on society have been a catalyst to rethink much of what we take for granted in the built environment. The way the world has adapted to this new lifestyle may forecast […]

Material prices are moving apace. According to the Construction Leadership Council, plastics, cement, timber, roof tiles, bricks and imported materials such as plumbing and electrical products are in short supply. It should also be noted that the £1.6 billion funding for re-cladding unsafe blocks of flats could lead to a shortage of cladding generally. The […]