07/06/2021
This past year - how businesses operate on a day to day basis has really changed. In the construction world - the way in which we access building materials, the quality of materials has been truly turned upside down, and on its head.
The biggest change in how we operate within the building construction world - is the availability, and quality of the materials we have access to. The old world of having an abundant supply, and choice in our supply chain is gone. Maybe one day it returns, but right now, there are no easy answers for builders in general in Manitoba or across the country.
It is not just price - which has definitely changed - it is the actual supply chains and since we get most of our manufactured goods from China, Tawain, the Phillipines - disruptions via rail blockades, port closures, strikes - it impacts the entire system.
Today, our shortages are chips, electronics, electrical supply, PLC and automation, steel, treated materials, delayed window and door production.
How does this affect your builder? It means that schedules are now really mashed up as we wait for materials to arrive, on a staggered timeline, and we do concurrent work to keep the ball rolling. Basically, we have to adjust our schedules to meet the materials that we actually have on hand, and available. It means that many project timelines can become a moving target if the materials are varied, and complex. Even obtaining things like resin products has been impacted (Texas ice storm).
In the global supply chain - local supply chains are held hostage to the bigger issues. We just don't see it as pronounced as we do today. A good example recently is siding - some siding manufacturers had 4 month delays in production. Others, it was longer. Windows, doors - much the same. Earlier this spring - it was roofing materials. A reminder for the client - find out what the material timelines are in order to manage expectations, and just be aware that everyone in building is trying to figure it out.
Jocelyn
