THE WAY FORWARD

Combating over-specification has to be largely client and architecturally led. However, if contractors can get on-board early enough they have the chance to serve the client by pointing out cost savings from reducing unnecessarily high specifications. The advent of CAD should also help clients get a much better idea of what they are getting and make it easier to specify and design.

The increased use of design and build also provides contractors with the chance to advocate more standardisation. Perhaps contractors could push for innovative ideas, rather than leaving it to the manufacturers to fight the battle for new products.

David Deas, CIoB vice-president and secretary to the Latham working group No. 11, which is examining the 30% reduction in real construction costs, said: 'Often builders, engineers, architects and M&E people don't know how the others work. We need early points of contact between them during the education process.'

There are other factors which should boost the use of prefabrication and standardisation according to Costain's Peter Adams: 'There are fewer skilled workers around now. Training is poor and skills are not being replaced, so why not get guaranteed, pre-tested products made in a controlled factory environment?'

The one-off, bespoke building will always be built, although its fittings and components could be increasingly standardised. But some buildings need to look similar for quick identification - multi-storey car parks, petrol forecourts, supermarkets and fast- food outlets.

As CMS's Akhurst said: 'Does it matter to a student in Durham if his bedsit looks much the same as one in Southampton?'