Browsed by
Tag: construction industry

The latest survey of specialists adds weight to recessionary fears

The latest survey of specialists adds weight to recessionary fears

What makes the latest survey of specialist contractors by the trade body NSCC of particular concern is that, for the first time in two years, it hints heavily at recession. It’s in the nature of surveys such as this to bounce about a bit, so it’s unwise to read too much into relatively small movements in its indicators, even if the readings are taken quarterly. And it should be noted that changes in sentiment about wider issues than construction can…

Read More Read More

Why is confidence rising in the construction industry when it appears set for recession?

Why is confidence rising in the construction industry when it appears set for recession?

I have noted from conversations I have had recently a more confident air about the future within construction this side of the New Year. And the latest Markit/CIPS survey seems to add to this anecdotal evidence with its finding that confidence in the sector in January improved “to the second-strongest degree in the survey history to reach the highest since May 2011”. I’m not sure what that actually means in numbers but it sounds like a lot of improvement.

2012 will be a stinker for construction say forecasters

2012 will be a stinker for construction say forecasters

Construction industry forecasters are now expecting a drop in output next year of at least 5%. To put that fall in context, there have only been six worse years recorded since the data series began in 1955. And some might see the latest forecasts as potentially optimistic as they assume the Eurozone manages to muddle through its deepening crisis.

There may be less work in 2012, but that doesn’t mean less opportunity for smart construction firms

There may be less work in 2012, but that doesn’t mean less opportunity for smart construction firms

Expect 2012 to start with industry forecasters shading down their estimates for construction growth. But while workload is likely to decrease in 2012, that does not mean that the opportunities for smart thinking and resourceful construction firms need also shrink. I would argue that the very decline in the economy and the stresses caused open up scope for entrepreneurial thinkers with ideas for improving the built environment.

Latest output figures suggest construction is sliding into recession

Latest output figures suggest construction is sliding into recession

Today’s construction output figures are a bit of a mixed bag suggesting things are getting worse, but that they were not as bad as we thought they were. The headline figure is that output over the three months to October was down by 1.1% compared with a year ago. And, as is clear from the graph, on the basis of the latest figures the industry does appear to be subsiding into recession. The graph shows the monthly progression of the…

Read More Read More

No Christmas cheer from the ONS new orders figures

No Christmas cheer from the ONS new orders figures

The latest construction new orders figures give no comfort to those fearing a nasty second bout of recession in construction. The numbers bounced up a little in the third quarter but remain on a downward path if looked at on an annualised basis, as can be seen from the graph (more graphs below).

Can George fill the funding gap for construction? The short answer is no and the long answer is no.

Can George fill the funding gap for construction? The short answer is no and the long answer is no.

How much will today’s announcements by the Chancellor George Osborne really change the picture for construction? Will the promise of jam today, tomorrow and for every day in this Parliament really amount to a hill of beans? Well no. But if you want to carry on to find out why not, here we go. I’ll start by trying to get a handle on what the funding gap might be for construction. In fairness its all a bit hypothetical and rests…

Read More Read More

Good news on prices for plant hire firms, not so good for contractors

Good news on prices for plant hire firms, not so good for contractors

Construction plant hire prices jumped almost 4% in the third quarter of this year, according to the latest set of official figures for services producer prices. The data suggests that prices are up more than 4.2% on a year ago. Less than inflation, but it that’ll be welcomed as good news for plant hirers. It will however not be received so favourably by the contracting community which is already under severe cost pressures and struggling to hold their prices, it…

Read More Read More