A slowdown in business activity, while challenging for many, can present strategic opportunities for those who are financially stable and long-term focused. Here’s a breakdown of key positives from that lens: 🔨 1. Reduced Land and Property Prices 👷 2. Lower Labour and Contractor Costs 🧱 3. Cheaper Materials and Shorter Lead Times 🧮 4. […]
Small builders in Northern Ireland, as of this week (April 1, 2025), would likely want to focus on the following top 10 key cost metrics to effectively plan and manage their projects. These metrics reflect the current economic climate, construction trends, and regional factors influencing building costs: These metrics are shaped by regional factors like […]
The Irish Government has allocated €633 million for national roads in 2025, as announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien on March 28, 2025. This funding, which represents a €92 million increase from 2024, will be managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and is aimed at enhancing the national road network across the Republic of […]
30-Year Infrastructure Plan for Northern Ireland (2025–2055).Above politics! Objectives Key Assumptions 1. Sewage Infrastructure Community Need: Modernize aging sewage systems, reduce overflows, and meet environmental standards. 2. Water Infrastructure Community Need: Ensure clean, reliable water supply and reduce leakage rates (currently ~40% in NI). 3. Electricity Infrastructure Community Need: Transition to renewables, improve grid reliability, […]
Executive Summary. The UK Spring Statement 2025, delivered on March 26, brings significant construction-related news: a £600 million training package for 60,000 workers, £2 billion for affordable housing, and a push toward 1.5 million new homes. For Northern Ireland, these measures don’t directly apply due to devolved powers, but funding boosts via the Barnett Formula […]
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day had a different kind of resonance—quieter, perhaps, but no less significant. For decades, the day has served as a powerful expression of Irish identity, especially in America. It’s a sea of green, a celebration of heritage, and for many, a reaffirmation of a cultural and political bond with Ireland’s nationalist […]
Comparing the planning and building times for major infrastructure projects in China and the UK reveals stark differences, driven by distinct political systems, planning processes, and approaches to development. While comprehensive, project-by-project data is limited, evidence from key examples and broader trends highlights these disparities. In China, major infrastructure projects are often completed at an […]
Wealth creation is based on the above simple premis. It has been lost. It has become a hand out, not a hand up mentality. Over the past decade, the UK, including Northern Ireland, has indeed experienced a prolonged period of austerity measures, largely stemming from efforts to reduce public spending and address fiscal deficits following […]
Building a Sustainable Future: The Bright Path Forward with FP McCann Ltd In the ever-evolving world of construction and manufacturing, one company stands out as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and growth—FP McCann Ltd. With a rich history rooted in excellence and a forward-thinking approach to meeting modern challenges, FP McCann is not just shaping […]
Evaluating the level of bureaucracy in Northern Ireland compared to other jurisdictions requires examining key metrics such as the efficiency of public administration, time taken to complete bureaucratic processes, the complexity of regulatory frameworks, and perceptions of administrative efficiency. While direct, comprehensive comparisons specific to bureaucracy in Northern Ireland are limited, we can draw on […]