Constructing the perfect storm

After the chaos of Covid-19, what comes next for Irish construction? Here, a Dublin-based architect, a builder and a quantity surveyor have their say on the many issues facing the industry, from tenders to timber shortages to global competition

The building sector has endured an extraordinary and unparalleled 18 months of pandemic, which has been aggravated by a combination of other circumstances. Picture: Getty

The maelstrom that has hit the construction sector has been described as ‘the perfect storm’. The sector has endured an extraordinary and unparalleled event such as the global pandemic, which was then aggravated by a combination of other circumstances.

Consider supply issues, simple economics, natural price increases, unsustainable price increases, Brexit, red tape, labour shortages and unwieldy licensing laws as some of the circumstances at play and the question of general building viability comes into ...