Why is the construction industry failing to meet the demand for more housing?

The construction industry has been under increasing pressure to meet the demands for more housing recently, but in truth this is a situation that has been developing for many decades. As the population in the UK grows, partly as a result of people living longer, the need for homes, in particular for social housing, has snowballed into something that seems almost unfixable.

Here at Tayside Construction, we have been doing our bit by completing on a number of full scale construction projects, but keeping up with the hungry demands of a nation has been problematic for everyone involved in the industry. For many years, in addition to the rising population, the building sector has seen a growing skills gap that, at the moment, is potentially irreversible.

One of the reasons for this is that fewer and fewer school-leavers and graduates want to work on building sites. Much as our team enjoy getting involved in construction projects, we realise it really isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Many youngsters find it easy to resist the temptation of jobs that are dirty, often wet and sometimes dangerous, when they could instead work in an office. And who can blame them?

One of the more intriguing initiatives in the building industry of late has been the rise of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Basically, this involves creating homes and workplaces from modular frames and panels, which are manufactured off-site in regulated factories. Among other benefits, this enables greater accuracy in production methods, and that leads to more uniformity in the buildings.

Perhaps more important than that is the sheer speed of construction that MMC allows. Homes, whether as one-off locations or as part of a multi-home development, can be completed in far less time, and can therefore help to quench the demands of the market. This may well be the glimmer of hope that everyone in the industry has been waiting for.

Faster, cheaper, safer…..and greener

And even more optimism comes from the fact that MMC as a process is a great deal greener. With fewer delivery loads needed and less in the way of on-site assembly, the industry itself can become far more sustainable almost overnight. The UK government has invested heavily in the development of MMC in recent years, and it’s very easy to see why.

Even in the way that panels and frames are constructed, there are green benefits to be found. Regulated production methods will lead to less waste, and if they are created in increasingly large facilities – which is highly likely in the coming years – the skills shortage won’t be as much of a drawback as it is at the moment. No wonder MMC is seen by some as the future of home construction.

Here at Tayside Construction, we offer a wide range of services covering the likes of flooring, electrics, plumbing, bricklaying and more. We keep a close eye on developments within our industry, and we are excited by what Modern Methods of Construction can achieve, especially in regard to the housing crisis. Maybe, just maybe, there is hope for our sector’s ability to deliver.

To find out more about what Tayside Construction can do for you, why not have a chat with the team today? We cover everything from minor repairs to domestic and commercial properties right the way up to full-scale housebuilding. We pride ourselves on the reputation we’ve created for superb workmanship, affordable pricing and friendly, reliable service. Just call 01738 505 888 today or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.