Construction Industry Trends and Challenges 2021
- Read time: 6 minutes
- Date: 19 Jul 2021
What's new in the construction industry this year? It feels like there has been a vast amount of change in the past twelve months since the pandemic began.
We've pulled apart the industry and found all the latest trends (and challenges) for the rest of this year - and the future.
There's going to be stricter regulations
The Home Office has announced new measures to amend the Fire Safety Order and a new Building Safety Bill. This update to legislation will overhaul how we design, build, and manage buildings.
‘For the first time, new build homebuyers will have their right to complain to a New Homes Ombudsman, protected in legislation, and developers will be required to be a member of the scheme. The New Homes Ombudsman will hold developers to account, including the ability to require developers to pay compensation,’ states the UK Government website.
You can read the Bill on the government website
Professional negligence could mean you're banned
Contractors could face a ban from public sector works. Announced by Boris Johnson, this proposal is currently under review by the government.
The report by Dame Judith Hackitt for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry says it all. There needs to be a culture change. Best practice will need to apply through the whole construction supply chain. And it should apply at all times - whether building from new or retrofitting.
So if you need any help on your next project, speak to one of the Fixfast team. We can give guidance to ensure compliance with building regulations.
The future is greener
In 2020, the government awarded £932 million for retrofitting buildings (applications closed in Jan 2021). The effort is a drive towards energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
Could the future be green?
This boost to the industry has helped over 400 projects so far. Insulation, LED lighting, and greener heating options are some of the things upgraded.
As the world looks to become more carbon-neutral, the construction industry is at the forefront of change. We will all need to produce building materials in a more sustainable way. And we are all responsible for helping the UK towards its carbon zero targets.
New product code soon to be released
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has launched an industry-wide consultation for a proposed new product code.
The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), ‘aims to set the benchmark for how product information is presented and marketed by manufacturers’ (CPA, 2021).
The new Code will have a major impact on how product information is presented when it is released later this year.
There's going to be a need for high-quality construction materials
With pressure mounting across the industry, 2021 will see a rise in the need for quality construction. Gone are the days of choosing the cheapest option, even when it comes to fasteners.
Design-led engineering is going to be a huge focus.
Think about it. Which option sounds safer to use: UK manufactured, quality assured products, designed by engineers... or a cheaper import?
With new product standard guidance on the horizon, there’s going to be a need for high quality products to match. This will be an area to watch.
A trend for mixed-use buildings post-pandemic is rising
The world post-pandemic is going to look very different. Many people are working from home and businesses have now adapted to this new way of working.
So what does that mean for traditional big office blocks? Could they become obsolete? Will we still need to build office blocks?
With companies realising that their employees can work from home, many are choosing to downsize their office space. So in 2021, expect a change in how we use these buildings. Unused office space could become shops, restaurants, gyms, or residential (Source: Building, 2021).
Design software will change how we create buildings
With social change comes technological change
2020 and 2021 have been a huge push towards software that allows us to collaborate on projects. This trend is going to continue, at least according to RCI magazine.
Roofing in particular will see a rise towards the use of CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. Tools like this will help you design, edit, and share digital models direct with the customer.
NBS has also released Chorus, a cloud-based specification web app that will allow architects, specifiers, and manufacturers to collaborate on a design.
Chorus can suggest products from a huge catalogue of manufacturers for specifiers to place into their designs. Without shouting too loudly, we’re happy to say that specifiers will be able to see our products on Chorus very soon.
Cloud-based design that allows us to collaborate from wherever we are is definitely a trend to watch this year.
Business purchasing is shifting to online shopping
The pandemic has shifted many people towards shopping online. This is true even for people who have never shopped online.
With shops closed, consumers have tried new brands, finding them via a Google search. According to a study, there has been a 44% increase year on year in online shopping due to the pandemic (Source: Finances Online).
This hunger for online shopping has meant that expectations for a smooth online shopping experience are high. And it is spilling into business purchasing in the construction industry.
We don't want to shout too loudly, but it's why we've upgraded our online shopping experience. Shoppers' expectations are higher, even in construction. Call it the Amazon Prime effect. We all want better quality products, quicker delivery, and instant updates about our orders.
So now with Fixfast you can shop online with confidence. We have a brand new My Account area, which gives you greater control over your orders. It’s in Beta phase right now, but we’ll be adding new features throughout 2021. Imagine Fixfast with Amazon Prime style delivery tracking...
The new portal means you will be able to:
View and track your orders
Make a quick repeat order
Download invoices and pay online
Access technical information at the click of a button
Set your delivery preferences
The new features will provide a fast integrated service, making it much easier to order, pay, and review your orders online.
To get started, all you will need is your email and password. If you need help setting up a new login, please email our team, and we will be happy to help you.
