Daniel Topp

AtkinsRéalis how now released the Construction Intelligence Report Q2 2024 with some commentary and insights into M&E insolvencies, Industrialised Construction and RAAC

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Important insight from Noble. This is what you get if you leave an industry largely unsupported. The continued loss of housebuilding capacity will be a tragedy. Actually more like a slow motion car crash that we all saw coming. Unless there is a central Govt strategy (industrial stratgey?) to engage in some demand management then not only will we lack capacity we will also not be able to afford to use the capacity we have left and the spiral will continue. This is a tragedy unfolding for the next generation. Knowledge economies are full of big ideas but are not adept at building things left to their own devices.

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What does the tendering and estimating process look like in your business? Most of the £500k-£10m turnover subcontractors we speak to can’t attract the best quantity surveyors in the business. So if that’s the boat you’re in, you’re faced with either outsourcing it to a specialist or training a junior or a commercially savvy staff member. ▶️ Outsourcing can be pricey and it can feel nerve-wracking to leave your fate in an external person’s hands, no matter how experienced and knowledgeable they are. ▶️ Training someone up can feel daunting, time-consuming and risky. However, with the right support and guidance, upskilling your internal team can be a very clear and empowering solution for ambitious subcontractors. This is exactly what we do inside our signature Pipeline tender training and mentoring programme - it’s QS and estimating school for subcontractors. Are you interested to learn more? Send me a DM and let’s get a call set up 📲

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Here is an interesting article that I came across… Leeds-based contractor, GMI Construction Group, rebounded into profit last year with a strategy of 'controlled consolidation' following robust revenue growth in 2022, albeit at the expense of profitability. Revenue dipped by 9% to £328mIn in September 2023, yet efforts to mitigate risks resulted in a £0.9m profit compared to a £2.3m loss in the previous year. Operating across four regions in the North of England and Midlands, GMI saw an improvement in average contract value to £21m. Although the number of completed projects increased to 27, jobs on-site halved to 15 by year-end. Finance Director James Smith attributed increased profitability to stringent stress tests on financial risk, emphasising realistic pricing and careful monitoring of economic forecasts. GMI's focus remains on negotiated project opportunities, contributing 6% of its turnover, while the staff count rose by 25% to 274 employees. What are your thoughts? Take a look at the link below and let me know. https://lnkd.in/egNSBQ2g

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📢 Attention Commercial Directors & Managers! 📢 Tired of the endless struggle to find and keep top Quantity Surveyors?  We've heard your frustrations, and we're here to help. Join us in Manchester on the 16th of August at 1 pm for an exclusive, FREE afternoon designed specifically for YOU: Winning the War for Talent: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Top Quantity Surveyors. This event is for decision-makers - not recruiters. We'll dive deep into the data and insight that you can use to create the strategies for your business to consistently recruit and retain the best QS talent in today's ultra-competitive market. 👉 Why attend? Discover why traditional recruitment methods and even internal resources often fall short in attracting and retaining top QS talent. Learn innovative solutions that will give you a competitive edge in the war for talent. Build an employer brand that makes your company a magnet for QSs. Streamline your recruitment process and reduce costly turnover. Get expert advice on the latest industry trends. 👉 Who should attend:  This event is exclusively for Commercial Leaders ONLY (Commercial Directors and Commercial Managers) 👉 Don't miss out:  Space is limited to 60 attendees. Register now to secure your spot!  https://lnkd.in/eewnh79x #QSRecruitment #TalentAcquisition #ConstructionIndustry #CommercialDirectors #CommercialManagers

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Sharing a post from Caroline which contains a recent TCC judgment illustrating the importance of good site records for evidencing progress and payment. Deals with suspension and matters arising from Covid lockdown etc, so will resonate with everyone. It's a great read for all commercial managers and others that have been on my training courses who will have listened to me ramming home the need for good records! #nzconstruction #constructionlaw #nziqs

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The construction division of SEDDON GROUP LIMITED edged back into profit following a £15m loss in 2022 which was a said to be a result of construction inflation and subcontractor failure. Chief Exec. Jonathan Seddon highlighted #construction arm maintaining a conscious limit on large contract whilst growing specialist workstreams with shorter project times. Seddon also touched on further progress within other areas of the business such as #HousingPartnerships, #PropertyServices, #EngineeringServices and #Paintingand #Maintenance. The reason for focusing on these units is because the contracts are typically shorter than new build schemes, therefore not being impacted as much during inflation pressures seen in other areas of the business. Last year, the construction arm raised revenue by 4% to £155m generating small pre-tax profit of £200,000. So far in 2024, they have 80% of their order book secured with project in which are already secured. In addition, as a group, they continue to invest in #SocialHousing as several senior appointments have been across the operations and deliver, commercial and business. Construction Enquirer

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📢 Attention Commercial Directors & Managers! 📢 Tired of the endless struggle to find and keep top Quantity Surveyors?  We've heard your frustrations, and we're here to help. Join us in Manchester on the 16th of August at 1pm for an exclusive, FREE afternoon designed specifically for YOU: Winning the War for Talent: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Top Quantity Surveyors. This event is for decision-makers - not recruiters. We'll dive deep into the data and insight that you can use to create the strategies for your business to consistently recruit and retain the best QS talent in today's ultra-competitive market. 👉 Why attend? Discover why traditional recruitment methods and even internal resources often fall short in attracting and retaining top QS talent. Learn innovative solutions that will give you a competitive edge in the war for talent. Build an employer brand that makes your company a magnet for QSs. Streamline your recruitment process and reduce costly turnover. Get expert advice on the latest industry trends. 👉 Who should attend: This event is exclusively for Commercial Leaders ONLY (Commercial Directors and Commercial Managers) 👉 Don't miss out: Space is limited to 60 attendees. Register now to secure your spot!  https://lnkd.in/eXYJyx-p #QSRecruitment #TalentAcquisition #ConstructionIndustry #CommercialDirectors #CommercialManagers

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The surge in demand for Quantity Surveyors! 🏗️📊 With construction activity booming across Wiltshire and the Cotswolds, QS professionals are more crucial than ever. Here's my take on the must-haves for today's market: - Commercial Acumen: Understand the financial and legal dimensions of construction like the back of your hand. - Tech-savvy: Software expertise is not just nice to have, it's essential. - Eye for Detail: Precision is your middle name when it comes to contract management and cost planning. - Negotiation Skills: Whether you're in Swindon or Bath, you're the deal-maker securing profitable outcomes. - Sustainable Focus: Embrace eco-conscious practices that are shaping South Oxfordshire to West Berkshire. Let's champion the evolution of QS skills and keep our industry thriving. 💪 Got insights to add? Drop a comment below! #QuantitySurveying #ConstructionUK #SkillsDevelopment

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Is the market about to properly go again? There is certainly more than a few reasons to be optimistic as we head towards summer. Good news about the county technically being out of a recession, inflation continues to fall, interest rate cuts will shortly follow, the economy appears to be returning to health! Despite recent turbulence, most key decision makers I regularly speak to have cracked on regardless this year which is testament to their resolve and helped by healthy pipeline of bids and potential future project awards. However, the main issue several of my clients are facing is full sign off on projects which is causing resourcing issues and general uncertainty, some of which is down to it being an election year and some down to the wider construction challenges featured below. Question I am asked all the time, what’s the market like…? Answer - It’s up and it’s down but it’s more than holding its own, could the arrival of some much-needed good news and finally some decent weather signal the shot-gun for projects to properly go again.. Let’s hope so 🤞🤞 #conradconsulting #architecturejobs

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#JCTCONTRACTS JCT Training Online - Minor Works Building Contract 2024 Our new JCT Training Online course for the Minor Works Building Contract 2024 is now available to book - click the link in the below comments to find out more and to book your place. #construction #contracts #minorworks #build #newedition

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Choosing the right building refurbishment contractor for your project can be challenging, so here are some of the qualities you should look for when considering your options.

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Don’t start work on site unless you’ve done this. So you want to work under your own terms and conditions. The problem is, your client wants you to work under their terms and conditions. This needs to be resolved before you start work. What happens when a client asks you to price a tender? They may provide details about the contract they want to use. But, there’s a good chance they don’t say anything. So you price the work based on the information you have. You send over your quote. And you attach your standard terms and conditions. The client is happy with your price. They send over the order and they attach their own terms and conditions. They want you to start straight away. So you mobilise and start work on site. But then you realise you don’t like their terms. You don’t like the payment terms, the level of retention. But it might be too late. In this example, the client has had the last shot. This means that the works have started. And there’s a good chance that you are working to the last terms and conditions issued. This is always something you need to resolve before starting work. At the very least, you should write to your client, letting them know you don’t agree with their terms and conditions. But it’s far easier to agree everything before you start work.

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ISG Retail Ltd v FK Construction Ltd [2024] EWHC 878 (TCC) (18 April 2024) The reimbursement of loss and/or expenses incurred by a sub-contractor in the execution of a sub-contract: 1. The sub-contractor can claim reimbursement for direct loss and/or expenses if the progress of the works is materially affected by: (a) Variations to the works ordered by the contractor. (b) Breach or acts of prevention by the contractor. (c) Other circumstances or occurrences entitling the contractor to loss and/or expense under the main contract. 2. The sub-contractor must submit a written application to the contractor within 14 days of becoming aware or reasonably should have become aware that the progress of the works is or will be affected. 3. If the sub-contractor makes a valid application, the amount of direct loss and/or expense incurred will be determined by the contractor, unless the sub-contract explicitly excludes the operation of this clause. 4. The sub-contractor must: (a) Make the application as soon as it becomes aware or reasonably should have become aware of the impact on the works. (b) Provide requested information and details to the contractor. (c) Provide any required notices, documents, and information to enable the contractor to claim loss and/or expense under the main contract. 5. The sub-contractor will not be reimbursed for loss and/or expense covered by other provisions of the sub-contract. Failure to comply with the provisions of the clause or negligence or breach of the sub-contract by the sub-contractor may result in a denial of reimbursement. The court in the present case found the articulation of the arguments on waiver and estoppel by one of the parties to be unsatisfactory. The court pressed for clear legal propositions and their application to the facts of the case, but found the principles and their application to be unclear. Conclusion: In summary, the proceedings being discussed are deemed unsuitable for determination under Part 8. The conclusion reached is that there are significant factual disputes regarding whether FK breached clause 9(5) and whether ISG has waived its right to rely on any breach or is estopped from doing so. No declaration is made regarding clause 9(5) being a condition precedent. It is considered unnecessary to decide the construction points without addressing the breach and waiver/estoppel issues simultaneously. It is suggested that the construction issues should be properly pleaded out.

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If you are looking to start a career in M&E Management, please take a look at the below blog explaining the pathway in front of you

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