The construction market in the UK enjoyed incremental growth in January, as output increased by 1.1% in volume terms and reached its highest level since September 2019.
However, this market can be deceptively complex, with local builders often facing legal challenges due to safety or technical issues that can (in the worst-case scenario) lead to claims of negligence.
In the case of large-scale technical issues, this can result in large compensation payouts. So, what are the challenges facing local builders in the industry, and what do they need to consider as part of the construction process?
What Challenges are Faced by Local Builders in Construction?
Of course, technical errors often manifest themselves in structural builds, and there are a couple of key challenges compounding such issues.
Firstly, there’s a noticeable lack of available land on which to build, with this the single biggest issue facing local builders. This can cause construction firms to compromise on the size and location of the build, imposing challenging restrictions on builders in the process.
Materials shortage is the second most cited barrier among builders, followed closely by the planning system. Both of these factors can result in technical errors, especially with regards to the integrity of a home build and errors made in planning or construction.
According to data garnered by the Federation of Master Builders, only 19% of respondents have any confidence that a particular planning application will be granted. This may encourage some to cut corners to hastily adjust designs, causing technical errors as a result.
From a local builder perspective, it also appears as though small site opportunities are decreasing.
This makes it harder to successfully engage with smaller and local projects, particularly given the relative absence of custom and self-build options.
How Can Local Builders Negate These Challenges?
The question that remains, of course, is how can local builders prevent technical errors or create a viable safety net if such issues do arise? Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
#1. Ensure Your Builders are Knowledgeable and Skilled: The first step is to ensure the knowledge and skillset of your employees. Ultimately, local builders must have visible records of demonstrating skills and knowledge within construction, including continual professional development and membership of relevant professional bodies. They must also have an innate and up-to-date understanding of building regulations, whether they work in domestic or commercial real estate.
#2. The Importance of Insurance: Of course, even proactive, and knowledgeable builders may still make technical errors through the duration of projects. Because of this, it’s important to invest in flexible builders’ insurance policies from reputable providers, in order to cover specific and relevant risks that may be technical in nature. The nature of this policy should relate to the building project in question and its scale, while also covering every single stage of the process.
#3. Understand the Details of All Planning Applications: When it comes to planning applications, it’s crucial that local builders take the time to fully understand the details of the application and the relevant criteria laid out within the building regulations. This way, it’s far easier to inform designs and submit a planning application with the best possible chance of success, especially when dealing with complex extensions or those that are slightly larger than unusual.