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It’s been a turbulent year in construction. As interest rates remain high, and a change of government has brought uncertainty to the building industry, both the public and private housing sector has been slowed down. Many contractors are experiencing one of their quietest autumn/winter periods yet as projects are stalled due to costs and planning delays.
The good news is that things are looking to brighten up in 2025, and further improve in 2026. Sector forecasts are showing a stronger recovery in 2025 than seen this year, and public sector investment is set to improve following the Spending Review in 2025. In particular, it is predicted that the private housing sector will see an upturn as interest rates begin to dip lower and affordability improves through increased earnings across many industries. Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect moving into 2025, and how we at Edge are working hard to ensure that we stand firm as a supplier you can rely on.
Managing Rising Construction Material Costs.
We all want to stay competitive, whether as a material supplier, or as a contractor quoting for work. However, the knock-on costs to customers can spiral out of control when the cost of raw materials increases. Throughout 2024, there have been shortages of key building materials, such as steel, timber and concrete, as well as glass and insulation materials. These shortages have been caused by supply chain disruptions, issues with shipping due to international conflict, and increased demand.
Unfortunately, these disruptions are likely to continue, however, many manufacturers are working hard to find alternative means of supplying and distributing these key materials for housebuilding.
At Edge we specialise in supplying customers with high quality, low maintenance uPVC building materials. We primarily work with UK-based suppliers to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions, and to support British industry. As a result, we have been able to maintain high stocks across our product ranges and are able to pass these supply chain savings onto our customers through our trade pricing.
Labour Shortages Across the Sector.
There has been a growing skills gap in the construction sector as firms are routinely struggling to employ new workers, leading to increased labour costs. From August 2023-July 2024 there were 382,000 job openings, and this is set to increase in 2025 as Labour’s plans for new housing begins to roll out. UK Construction predict that higher wages and benefit packages could be required to attract and retain talent in the sector.
Labour shortages are in part due to workers leaving the sector during the COVID pandemic, and a reduction in foreign labourers following Brexit. There is also a reduction in the number of young people opting for construction/trade pathways at college creating an aging pool of workers in the sector.
One of the key reasons young people are not entering the construction industry is that many feel that they lack the necessary skills. While numbers enrolling into T-Level and apprenticeship courses remains positive, local construction firms should be reaching out to schools and colleges to improve students’ understanding of the construction sector. By taking on apprentices, builders and other tradesman can pass on their skills and help to reduce the skills shortage in Britain.
“Having worked in the construction industry since leaving school, I have always felt it an excellent industry to work in and particularly suited to apprenticeships. Apprenticeship schemes deliver genuine on-the-job work experience that can prove much more valuable than time spent in the classroom. It also offers the candidate the chance to earn while they learn and avoid a huge accumulation of student debt. With the industry currently facing a skills shortage I fully support any effort to increase our industry’s profile amongst those about to embark on their career.”
Kieran Napthine, Managing Director at Edge Building Products.
Continued Focus on Green Practices in Construction.
As we’ve discussed previously here at Edge, sustainability is more than a trend, it is a necessity for the construction sector. Plans continue for the UK to reach net-zero by 2050, and our construction practices are going to be a big player in this. As we move into 2025, construction firms should be looking to incorporate renewable energy sources into their builds, such as solar panels on private housing.
Waste reduction will also be a major contributor to reducing the carbon footprint of new projects. In the UK, the construction industry generates 62% of the country’s waste and 32% of all waste sent to landfills. Therefore, a commitment to waste reduction is not only good for the sector, but for the country.
Sustainability at Edge:
Here at Edge we are taking a number of steps to reduce the carbon footprint of our products. As already mentioned, we work primarily with UK manufacturers, reducing the transport emissions of products travelling from the manufacturer to us in the South East. We also supply uPVC materials which are durable and long lasting, reducing material waste on buildings. These building supplies are lightweight, reducing the fuel required to transport them, and we offer a next day delivery service to reduce the number of vans on the road to collect Edge products. Plastic often gets a bad rap, however, uPVC is highly recyclable, as is aluminium – a popular window trim we supply. When plastics are recycled, uPVC building materials can be kept out of landfill. We always encourage our customers to recycle faulty uPVC materials to allow them to re-enter the supply chain as a recycled product. We are also very supportive of uPVC manufacturers continuing to incorporate recycled plastics into the products.
Final thoughts…
While the construction industry has faced significant challenges this year—ranging from high interest rates and political uncertainty to material and labour shortages—there are promising signs of recovery on the horizon. Forecasts for 2025 and beyond indicate renewed growth, with public and private housing sectors expected to recover at a faster rate than seen in 2024.
At Edge, we remain committed to supporting our customers by addressing these challenges head-on. Through our focus on maintaining reliable stock supplies, adapting to sustainable building practices, and advocating for solutions to the industry’s skills gap, we aim to be a dependable partner in navigating this period of transition. By preparing for a better year ahead, we are remaining steadfast in our commitment ensuring you have the building supplies you need when you need them.
Got any questions, or want to discuss your requirements? Just ask a member of our team – we’re always on hand to help with any queries. Drop an email to [email protected] or call us on 0345 021 3333.