Possible delays on building projects

Anyone who is currently having an extension, renovation or other building work carried out will be aware of the current shortages of materials at the moment.

Those trying to complete their own DIY projects will also know that it can be extremely hard at the moment to get hold of many construction products, particularly those required in quantity.

Brexit, Covid and even the rippling effect of the vessel that got stuck in the Suez Canal have caused disruptions to supply chains across the world, including those bringing materials into this country.

Everything from concrete and cement to bricks, roof tiles, wood and metal can be hard to get hold of at the moment – and as soon as these products come in, they often go out straight away.

While some DIYers are managing by trawling the classified ads to find small amounts of materials no longer needed by others, many larger projects are experiencing hold ups.

This is because of the sheer quantities often needed of these items that are currently in short supply.

Many projects, especially those taking place on sites where space is at a premium, rely on just-in-time deliveries – and this is proving especially tricky at the moment.

Others need to know they have taken possession of all the materials they require in advance – and this is delaying the start of many sizeable building projects.

And while some contractors are able to be creative (working on the jobs they are able to complete when materials do become available) this situation, of course, does have a knock-on effect on the start dates of other jobs they have lined up.

We all know how tightly the timings work on any building site – there are some stages of a project that always have to take place in a certain sequence.

If one trade is held up waiting for materials it is not always possible for the next to begin….

Where possible, of course, contractors are being flexible and where architects, project managers and building site supervisors can work round a problem, they will.

It is important, however, for homeowners to have an understanding that these are strange times, and everyone is doing their best under the circumstances.

There may well be delays at the moment and that can be disappointing but if all the preliminary work – from initial concept through to completed and agreed planning applications – has been completed then at least you are position for things to begin when they can.

Working directly with a trusted contractor or employing an architect who works with reputable builders is certainly the best thing you can be doing at the moment while the situation continues to be unsettled.