Brickonomics

Optimism alive and kicking in construction

The RICS construction survey for the third quarter of 2009 found confidence over increased workloads returning to the industry for the first time since 2008 Q1. This was despite an overall fall in workload across the industry as a whole...

Posted by Brian on November 6, 2009 12:04 PM

Public sector keeps construction orders afloat

The new orders figures were out today and they hint at a uplift, with the headline figure showing a 2% rise comparing the three months to July with the previous three months. And recently when I speak to people in...

Posted by Brian on September 10, 2009 10:16 AM

Halifax sees house prices up 3% from the bottom

The latest figures from Halifax put the price of an average house (not seasonally adjusted) up by 3% on the low they reached in March this year and broadly on a par with the level at the end of last...

Posted by Brian on September 10, 2009 10:13 AM

CIPS talk of optimism is baffling

The CIPS appeared to be putting a rather positive spin on its July figures for construction activity on the back of a slowdown in the pace of decline and swelling optimism among its respondents. The press release reads: "Optimism about...

Posted by Brian on August 4, 2009 10:43 AM

Rightmove figures provide food for thought on house prices

The latest figures divined from the property website Rightmove show that asking prices fell 0.4% in the month. And at first sight this seem a little at odds with most of the data coming from the housing market of late....

Posted by Brian on June 22, 2009 9:40 AM

And this year's new optimism is...

Everything becomes this year's new black at some point. Nothing is ever simply itself anymore. That's fine in a postmodern culture of moral relativism that is accepting of a laid back usage of language and grammar. I'm fairly relaxed about...

Posted by Brian on May 15, 2009 4:17 PM

Watch out for snake oil salesmen purveying good news

There are few things more odious than selling false hope to desperate folk. But I am seeing ever more evidence of this sad occupation. I would have posted a blog on the latest new orders figures yesterday, but I was...

Posted by Brian on May 8, 2009 10:03 AM

Contractors optimistic despite being trapped in mire of recession - says CIPS

The buyers' body CIPS remained muted about the prospects for construction despite a slight lift in the construction industry. The main construction index published by CIPS rose to 30.9 for March up from a series low of 27.8 in February....

Posted by Brian on April 2, 2009 11:38 AM

We see rays of sunshine amid the gloom, construction buyers tell survey

You have got to admire the spirit, we are on the verge of the deepest recession most in the industry have witnessed and yet there are those in the construction who feel the worst may be passed. That seems to...

Posted by Brian on February 3, 2009 10:26 AM

Industry retains optimism despite the gloomy forecasts

In the face of growing concern and gloom surrounding the construction industry, in particular the house building bit, construction folk in general seem to be keeping their spirits and appear on balance to be optimistic about future prospects. That, as...

Posted by Brian on September 2, 2008 9:55 AM