All Economics articles – Page 10
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FeaturesThe world construction outlook
In the old days, before the world banking meltdown, firms looked abroad for expansion opportunities. These days they are economic migrants. Davis Langdon looks at the best places to flee
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FeaturesCost model update: Public sector
With the construction market in reverse and tender prices in freefall, it’s crucial to have the latest building costs. This update has been compiled by Max Wilkes and Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon
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Features
The tracker: How low can we go?
Activity levels fell for the 10th month in a row, the rate of decline headed towards a new low, and don’t even ask about employment prospects
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FeaturesSpotlight: How hard will the credit crunch hit?
Demand is low, unemployment is up and so are stockpiles. Prepare for a deep impact
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Features
Lead times: November 08 - January 2009
Unsurprisingly, a weak economy has led to a reduced workload for many contractors, a few of whom are dropping lead times to a level not seen since 2003
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FeaturesMarket forecast: Two years to go …
Building prices plummeted 7.5% in the last quarter of 2008, and aren’t set to bottom out until 2011. Peter Fordham and Maren Baldauf-Cunnington of Davis Langdon deliver the latest grim predictions
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FeaturesSustainability costs: Refurbishment
The advent of EPCs means commercial landlords can no longer ignore the inefficiency of existing stock. Richard Quartermaine of Cyril Sweett breaks down the costs of revamping these energy guzzlers
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FeaturesCountry focus: Poland
Poland has been enjoying a construction boom over the past three years, and although it’s not immune to the financial pandemic, it’s still going to record 6% growth. Marcin Klammer of EC Harris reports
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Features
The tracker: Bleak midwinter
No tidings of comfort or joy here, especially for the shrinking residential sector, as employment prospects plummet and order books languish, says Experian’s Business Strategies division
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Features
Cost update: December 2008
After sharp inflation in the second quarter, consumer, input, output and materials prices all peaked and are now on a declining trajectory, says Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon
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FeaturesCost model: Data centres
As IT power increases, so energy use has grown enormously. Simon Rawlinson and Nick Bending of Davis Langdon examine the design and cost implications of low-energy data centres
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FeaturesProcurement: Single-stage tendering
Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon sets out the pros and cons of the single-stage strategy and offers some guidance on how clients and contractors can use it successfully
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Features
The tracker: Plumbing new depths
The slowdown continues to eat into firms’ workloads and order books, with the activity index for September falling to an all-time low, according to Experian Business Strategies
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FeaturesCountry focus: Czech Republic
With the strengthening of the Czech koruna and increased expenditure on the part of high-income groups, will foreign investment come at a price? Miroslav Vasko of EC Harris, Prague reports
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FeaturesMini cost model update: Small projects
The worsening economic climate and sustainability requirements have affected costs for small projects such as affordable housing, nursing homes and extra-care homes
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Features
Market forecast: Going down
Continuing work has helped the industry survive so far, but that is about to change.
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FeaturesSpotlight: Utilities
As a recent NFB survey has found, connecting your site to gas, water and electricity can be a real headache for contractors. Brian Moone and Bob Hollingsworth explain the form
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Features
Lead times: August-October 2008
The downturn continues to wield a considerable influence on lead times, with only concrete works reporting an increase since July. Brian Moone of Mace crunches the numbers
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FeaturesSustainability: Office refurbishment
David Rees of Davis Langdon reviews the latest thinking on low-carbon design features to improve the energy performance of office buildings
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FeaturesCost model: Retail development
This year marks the peak of the retail cycle. With the economy slowing, can future schemes deliver quality and innovation? Simon Rawlinson and Richard Taylor of Davis Langdon investigate