Spec Finish

4 www.thefis.org T he Grenfell Inquiry has made for very uncomfortable listening. The summer session closed as the first wave of Rydon employees took centre stage. The really scary part is that, in a catalogue of corner cutting, lack of responsibility and accountability, major knowledge failings and process gaps, you will have recognised a tale (albeit exaggerated) as old as time. It is easy to judge the individuals, but the real monster in this story is Cost Cutting, with the infamous side-kick of Apathy. A formidable and frightening pairing, but as this tragic chapter draws to a close, help for the sector is on the way in the Building Safety Bill. In this issue we look at the detail of the Bill, but the headline is that there are now significantly fewer places to hide and the responsibilities and ramifications for getting it wrong aremuch clearer. These laws will be backed up by a new empowered regulator, far stricter guidelines on who is competent to do what andmandatory training and certification expected. The temptation to cut the odd corner looks a lot more frightening. TheValueToolkit published over the summer by the Construction LeadershipCouncil is having a good stab at getting to the client too – the tool is designed to create a value profile at the outset of a project and clear criteria to measure delivery against these. It then proposes metrics to ensure that these are not compromised (or at least that the impact of compromise is understood) through the construction process – it seeks to emphasise that driving down cost often means driving out value. In the Grenfell Inquiry, Rydon were close to 10%cheaper than their nearest rival, albeit in part due to an error in the estimate that they needed to chase through the process. The impact of this ‘cost saving’ is now unfathomable. Flawed or imprecise design But like any good story there are twists and terms to come and I amunder no illusion that Cost Cutting and Apathy have been vanquished yet. Through the FIS helpline and various forums, we still see daily instances where design is imprecise or flawed. It remains commonplace for the architect or specifier to gloss over the detailing with phrases like ‘contractors choice’, leaving the specialist with practical nightmares and a huge imbalance in risk apportionment. Contractors are still, despite the fine words we hear fromGovernment and the higher echelons of the industry, exposed to an unacceptable punitive and overly contractual backdrop and COVID-19 is another risk that is being dispersed in contracts. The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum letter (supported by FIS) was sent to the Scottish Government spotlighting this and includes one instance where a Local Authority used 69 pages of amendments to a Standard Contract to force future COVID-19 upheaval risks onto the contractor (you will have seen the same Brexit clauses too)! So, this fairy tale is far fromover and the promised land feels a bit like a land far far away, but we are edging closer. Through our work on pipeline and stimulus, FIS is continually making the case for earlier engagement of contractors, supporting genuine collaboration through the exchange of expertise and ideas, fairer contracts imposed through procurement and supply chain partnerships that support investment in key emerging technologies like digital, off-site and automation, but also investment in people and relationships. So while I don’t believe the complex world of construction will ever get to ‘Happily Ever After’ I amencouraged by our heroes, those who are supporting collaboration through organisations such as the FIS and, despite the challenges investing in apprentices, walking away from contracts that are unfair and calling out the bad practices when they see it and I do believe that together can ensure that the next chapter is better one. Voice of the industry IAIN MCILWEE Chief executive Finishes and Interiors Sector While the complex world of constructionmay never get to ‘Happily Ever After’ I do believe that together, we can ensure that the next chapter is better one THE FAIRY TALE OF CONSTRUCTION