A round-up of the construction industry pandemic woes so far

Some companies opting for building site dorms to limit workers' Covid exposure

Construction temporary quarters (CTQs), or temporary dormitories built on construction sites, are gaining appeal as a way to mitigate infection risks, although they come with some inconvenience too.

Covid's lessons for the construction industry

Rethink long-held practices relating to risk management, contract negotiation and dispute resolution, pushing risks down to subcontractors who are unable to shoulder them will only lead to costly delays and project failures.

Construction raw material prices to stay high amid supply chain, shipping disruptions

In particular, companies have been grappling with lockdown-induced supply chain and shipping disruptions since the start of this year. And as demand rose on the back of global economic recovery, supply has struggled to keep pace.

Troubled contractor Greatearth files to wind up company

The two related companies Greatearth Corporation and Greatearth Construction were the main contractors for the five affected BTO projects, which comprise a total of 2,982 units.

Greatearth collapse: will more construction firms follow as reliefs and government help end

In the wake of news that Greatearth Corporation and Greatearth Construction have gone bust, lawyers working with construction companies said that factors like increased cost of materials and labour could deliver the same fate to more contractors.

Construction recovery uneven amid manpower, supply constraints

Most construction plays that have reported financials for the half-year to June recorded sharp increases in top and bottom lines, but many also reported higher costs, weaker margins and difficulty getting labour.