Registered Master Builders Association residential members say their two biggest issues are cashflow and weathertightness of sites, while commercial members are concerned about the suspension of contracts, and time and cost variations on their contracts.
Chief executive David Kelly says the RMBA has been using this member feedback in its recent engagement with the Government and officials.
“We’ve been a driving force in the Construction Accord’s response to Covid-19,” Kelly says.
“The priority of the Accord has shifted focus from industry transformation to industry resilience and recovery. Through our work with officials, we are assisting in developing the Construction Sector Covid Response Plan.”
The plan is going to focus on:
• Keeping the cash flowing in the sector, ensuring contractors and subcontractors continue to be paid.
• New health and safety guidelines for construction sites that allow the safe restarting of works. This will be based on international and local best practices.
• Ensuring fair and consistent contractual conditions. Government agencies will produce a fair standard model for the fair treatment of the cost of site shutdowns.
• What additional financial support can be provided for construction sector employees, employers and business owners.
• Identifying and bringing projects forward and made ready for when work can begin again.
• Advising on legislative and policy changes needed to allow projects to start quickly after the lockdown finishes.
“We are also engaging with officials about the weathertightness of projects, particularly as we are now in autumn,” Kelly says.
“If the lockdown is longer than the current four weeks, we will need to revisit this and have MBIE issue clear weathertightness guidance.
“What we don’t want to see are sites becoming compromised due to wet weather.”
