Construction and design stages are being affected by the shortage of materials in the UK, according to the latest RIBA Future Trends survey. The report states that 63 per cent of architectural practices had experienced on-site delays due to building materials shortages.
A quarter of practices have seen site work put on hold due to a lack of materials. Nearly a fifth of practices, 18 per cent, also reported that the materials shortage was creating delay in the design process as practices have to spend additional time selecting products that will be delivered within project timescales.
The materials shortage is reportedly due to the impact of Brexit, as well as an increased demand for materials, as construction starts to ramp up again with the easing
of coronavirus lockdowns.
The industry is also still feeling the impact of the Suez blockage, RIBA said.
However, the survey noted optimism in relation to future work, with 38 per cent of practices expecting to have more work in the next months.
Just over half, 58 per cent, expect workloads to stay the same, while the percentage expecting a decrease fell to seven per cent.
