New Construction Challenges

‘The shortest distance between two
points is under construction’ Leo Aikman

Kearney Consulting Ltd is a boutique practice offering a
range of high quality professional services to the construction industry and commercial
clients.  Kearney Consulting Ltd
operate throughout the UK, Ireland and Internationally. 

It is a time of change both in industry and in finance.  The market is changing!  North and South the housing market has
had a downturn.  Developers are
selling out current stock before starting new stock.  With less volume of work, subcontractors and tradespersons
are more available and prices are reacting to increased labour supply.

Civil Engineering output remains high and is providing
opportunities for many.  However,
the nature of Civil Engineering on this island is also changing.  Not least, there are a number of
Government driven initiatives which are affecting change in the construction
and the built environment. 

Governments north and south are using new procurement
methods for public sector works.  Namely
the NEC3, the New Engineering Contract in Northern Ireland and the GCCC, the  new Public Works Contract in the
Republic of Ireland. 

NEC3 with its emphasis on team working as laid out by Latham
is growing as the preferred procurement tool throughout the UK.  In the Republic of Ireland, the GCCC
contract seeks to give clients greater certainty in terms of outturn costs. All
construction companies and developers need to be fully aware of the implications
that these contracts impose upon the project, both in time, money,
administration and indeed in procurement of Subcontracts.  Funders also need to be aware of the
exposure that these contracts can place on their clients. 

Within existing and new buildings there will be Asbestos Regulations
and building owners will be required to have an Asbestos Register, particularly
for older buildings. 

We are all increasingly aware of energy and sustainability
issues.  Our governments are
providing leadership.  Building
Energy Ratings (BER) are now a legal requirement for new buildings in Republic
of Ireland.  From June 2008, their equivalent
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) in Northern Ireland will be required for domestic
and commercial buildings and from September 2008 all new buildings will in
addition require the government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for energy
rating of dwellings.  The new
deadlines will require that only approved assessors can conduct the
assessments.

Corporate manslaughter has been brought into being, whereby
company’s directors no longer can escape if there is a death or serious
injury.  They will now have a
causation to answer for.  This lies
on the back of the new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations of 2007
which brought in CDM Co-ordinator for all new schemes.  Clients require us to act on their part
to ensure that all types of projects are adequately resourced for Health &
Safety and the risks involved in construction are mitigated. 

In all of this Kearney Consulting Ltd is well placed to
assist its various clients.  As
well as the above, Kearney Consulting Ltd deals with Construction and Civil
Engineering Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Litigation, Mediation,
Conciliation and Adjudication, all methods of resolving disputes, without the
need to go for expensive Litigation.  After all, if you can negotiate a settlement, it is much
better than funding a settlement, wherein often times there are no
winners. 

To anticipate needs, the offices of Kearney Consulting Ltd
are available for clients and members to meet and meet other parties as a
resource tool.  Furthermore, it
offers a discount to members of the Chamber for immediate take-up and gives
initial consultation free of charge to assess their current issues and requirements.  To assist the industry training and
lectures are provided upon demand both generic and individually tailored to
meet needs.

Areas of operation:
U.k
Ireland
South Africa
St Lucia
Jamaica
Bahamas
Barbados
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Maldives
Pakistan