Allowing certified building professionals to consent their own work may get houses built faster and for less cost, but insurance implications and the sector’s readiness are among concerns being raised Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk plans to develop a new opt-in self-certification scheme for qualified building professionals and accredited businesses. Continue →

While mental health in the construction is improving overall, more support is needed for the sector’s most vulnerable workers MATES in Construction, a not-for-profit organisation which supports positive well-being in the industry, surveyed more than 2000 workers, with 85% of workers reporting good mental health in 2023. Continue →

New research reveals that while overall business confidence has continued trending downwards, 94% of construction and manufacturing SMEs are confident about the next 12 months The latest RFI Global research commissioned by Prospa highlights the ongoing uncertainty in New Zealand’s business climate, with business confidence continuing to trend downwards despite earlier post-covid optimism. Continue →

Nearly a third of Australian companies are already trialing or using AI to help solve major issues facing the industry, including reducing the cost of construction – another third plan to use it in the future. Continue →

There has been a significant increase in the number of women joining the construction industry, however, they are still significantly underrepresented, making up just 15% of the trades and construction industry When Rebecca Gornall, Health and Safety Manager at Mansons TCLM Limited, first started her role in commercial construction six years ago she was one of the only females on site. Continue →

The average cost of building a home in New Zealand’s main centres has increased by 0.3% this quarter and 5.2% since February 2023, a much smaller percentage to recent years. Continue →

After a period of rapidly rising costs in the building sector, pressures on supply chains and capacity are easing and the annual growth in residential construction costs has reduced to the lowest level in around seven years CoreLogic’s latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) recorded a 0.8% rise in the fourth quarter of 2023. Continue →

The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against two construction companies and two directors for alleged bid rigging of publicly funded construction contracts The charges follow a Commission investigation into allegations that the companies and their directors colluded to rig bids for infrastructure projects in Auckland.  Continue →

Autodesk has released its Correspondence tool in New Zealand, offering support for project teams to make everyday decisions earlier. Continue →

Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure, has published its Statement of Strategic Direction (SSD) outlining what it intends to achieve for the sector over the next five years The Waihanga Ara Rau SSD outlines a focused and collaborative approach to shaping the future of Aotearoa, by strengthening the construction and infrastructure industry workforce. Continue →

With changes in Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC), the building sector there needs to adapt, Environment.co’s Continue →

The Construction Sector Accord and Callaghan Innovation have agreed to partner to address systemic challenges and build resilience across the construction sector The partnership seeks to accelerate growth and innovation across construction businesses of every size and stage. Continue →

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) says it wants to modernise the building consent system to provide assurance to building owners and users that building work will be done right the first time and that buildings are healthy, safe and durable The review is an end-to-end review of the building consent system – from the building design phase through to the issuing of a code compliance certificate. Continue →

Despite shrink-wrap being the most convenient solution to keep the weather out, Auckland Council’s Senior Waste Planning Specialist Mark Roberts was adamant it would not be used for remedial work on the Waiōrea Community Recycling Centre The 1930s Western Springs building will open in August this year after extensive remedial work on the roof and parapet. Continue →

In the face of a myriad of challenges, including the cost of goods and a shortage of staff, medium sized businesses in the construction sector have not been afraid to invest in innovation, an MYOB survey finds The effects of inflation are weighing heavily on many in the sector and with business leaders anticipating more headwinds over the coming months, attention now turns to investing in innovation to strengthen performance and drive growth. Continue →

A decline in dwelling consents has alleviated pressure on New Zealand’s residential construction sector, leading to a slowdown in building activities and price growth, CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says The latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows construction costs rose 0.6% in the June quarter, in line with the March figures but well below the average quarterly increases of 2% recorded in 2021 and 2022. Continue →

In today’s volatile economic climate, Benchmark Estimating Software Australia Chief Executive Frank Prestipino asks why so many construction companies still rely on spreadsheets to estimate costs On 23 March the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Lloyd Group, a large construction firm specialising in building schools and other government infrastructure had gone into administration. Continue →

Civil Contractors New Zealand is seeking input from construction professionals on industry issues, workforce and technology in its annual Construction Industry Survey Now in its seventh year, this joint research project with Teletrac Navman aims to provide actionable insights to assist construction companies in overcoming challenges and capitalising on opportunities. Continue →

Homeowners may not be fully aware of how much it might now cost to rebuild their most valuable asset, CoreLogic says In just the first two months of 2023 New Zealand has experienced two significant weather events, with the Auckland Anniversary Weekend flooding alone expected to cost more than $1 billion, far exceeding the $350 million in insured losses recorded in 2022, previously the biggest year to date. Continue →

Whether you are building a single-story home or a skyscraper, Medshop explores some of the most common dangers so you can remain educated and secure in your work environment Though the construction industry has advanced significantly in protecting its workers, there are still potential health and safety hazards you must manage onsite. Continue →