Construction Scheduling Services in the UK: Key Trends in the Construction Materials Market from November 2025

The latest Construction Building Materials Commentary – November 2025, published by the UK Department for Business & Trade, provides a detailed picture of the current supply chain, production levels, and market pressures shaping the sector, with a level of detail that enables a comprehensive understanding of each influencing factor. For planning and project controls teams, these insights are essential for forecasting, procurement planning, and risk management. Project controls practices have developed significantly in response to evolving market pressures, requiring teams to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines to accurately interpret and act on market data. We invite you to explore how these market trends impact project controls and project management.

By leveraging this market intelligence, teams can enhance forecasting, procurement planning, and risk management, while also creating structured plans that align resources and strategies with current market realities.

Introduction to the Market

The construction industry is renowned for its complexity and dynamic nature, requiring a strategic approach to project management to ensure successful outcomes. At the heart of this process lies the discipline of project controls, which empowers project managers to monitor, manage, and control every aspect of a project’s scope, cost, and schedule throughout the entire project life cycle. As demand for infrastructure development and construction projects continues to rise, the importance of early establishment of a comprehensive set of project controls has never been greater.

Effective project controls encompass a range of essential processes, including tender planning, contract administration, and scheduling planning. These elements are critical for enabling project teams to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. By understanding and implementing robust project controls, construction professionals can better manage risks, optimize resource allocation, and ensure that all project objectives are met. In today’s construction industry, the ability to monitor and control project progress from the outset is not just beneficial—it is essential for success.

1. Brick Deliveries Continue to Decline in the Construction Industry

According to the seasonally adjusted data:

• Brick deliveries fell 4.9% in October 2025 vs. the previous year

• Production has continued its downward trend since 2022

• Imports account for nearly 20% of UK’s brick supply, helping offset declining domestic output

For construction planners, this means monitoring brick lead times and procurement schedules is crucial, and accurately measuring brick quantities from drawings is essential for effective procurement. It is also important to review procurement data and use software tools like Bluebeam Review to ensure accuracy in planning.

2. Concrete Blocks Also Declining

Concrete block deliveries dropped 7.1% year-on-year, continuing the decline seen throughout 2022–2023. This signals ongoing weakening in parts of the residential market.

Project teams should be prepared for:

• Longer lead times

• Regional availability differences

• Potential cost fluctuations

It is essential that the project team collaborates closely to proactively address these challenges and ensure effective construction scheduling services.

3. Sand, Gravel & Ready-Mix: Mixed Signals

Sand and gravel sales:

• Down 0.5% YoY

• Below pre-2008 recession levels

Ready-mix concrete:

• Down 12% YoY in Q3 2025

• A sign of weaker workloads in early stages of construction

These indicators suggest slowdown in early-phase construction activity, which may affect project pipelines in 2026. Early identification of such slowdowns through effective construction scheduling services can result in significant saving of both time and costs during project planning.

4. Imports & Exports: Trade Deficit Widens

In 2024:

• Imports increased by £221m

• Exports fell by £38m

• Resulting in a trade deficit of £14.4bn

Effective management of money becomes even more critical in this context, as increased import costs can significantly impact project budgets and overall financial efficiency.

High import reliance for materials such as wires, wood, and fittings means exchange rates and global supply chain risks must be monitored closely by project managers and commercial teams. It is also essential to obtain competitive quotations for imported materials to ensure cost-effectiveness and support successful project delivery.

Project Management in Construction

Project management in the construction industry is a multifaceted discipline that demands a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking. Project managers are responsible for overseeing a comprehensive range of activities, from project planning and scheduling to cost management and contract administration. Their extensive experience and deep understanding of the construction process enable them to deliver projects that meet client expectations for time, cost, and quality.

Given the complexity of modern construction projects, which often involve multiple stakeholders, contractors, and specialists, effective project management hinges on strong collaboration and clear communication among all parties. Project controls are vital in this context, providing a structured framework for tracking project progress, identifying potential risks, and implementing corrective actions when necessary. By leveraging project controls, project managers can demonstrate their ability to manage objectives, mitigate risks, and ensure the successful delivery of projects across a diverse range of sectors within the construction industry.

Cost Management and Budgeting

Cost management and budgeting are foundational pillars of project controls in the construction industry. Project managers must possess a thorough understanding of cost management principles to accurately estimate, develop, and oversee project budgets throughout the project life cycle. This involves not only establishing budget baselines and estimating costs, but also continuously monitoring expenditures and identifying any deviations from the plan.

Effective cost management is essential for mitigating financial risks and ensuring that projects are delivered within budget. By developing targeted strategies to manage and control costs, project managers can enhance project success and deliver greater value to clients. Project controls play a crucial role in this process, providing the data and insights needed to identify cost risks early, implement corrective measures, and maintain financial discipline across all stages of construction development.

Challenges Facing the Construction Industry

The construction industry is confronted with a variety of challenges that can impact project delivery and success. Increasing competition, the growing complexity of projects, and evolving regulatory requirements all place significant demands on project managers. One of the most pressing challenges is the need for robust project controls. Without effective contract administration, scheduling planning, and cost management, projects are at risk of cost overruns, schedule delays, and quality issues—outcomes that can have serious implications for project owners and stakeholders.

Additionally, the industry faces a shortage of skilled project managers and specialists, as well as the need to adopt sustainable and environmentally responsible construction practices. To navigate these challenges, it is essential for project managers to access specialized project controls services that support every stage of the project, from initial planning to final delivery. By prioritizing the development and implementation of comprehensive project controls, construction professionals can better manage risks, meet contract requirements, and deliver successful outcomes for all parties involved.

5. Sector Forecasts and Cost Management Point to Gradual Recovery

Experian and CPA forecasts highlight:

• Construction output expected to grow 1.9% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2026

• New housing: growth expected to return after sharp declines

• Infrastructure: steady growth supported by public spending

What this means for B Project clients:As the market stabilises, accurate planning, scheduling, and delay analysis will become critical to manage volatility and avoid cost overruns. Preparing competitive bids and understanding tender requirements for upcoming projects will be essential for securing new contracts. It is also important to produce detailed financial documents and estimates to support robust project planning. Effective project controls can help save money and improve overall financial efficiency by ensuring resources are managed optimally. The project controller plays a key role in tracking, monitoring, and managing project objectives related to time, cost, and quality. Project managers should remain focused on proactive management and data analysis to prevent issues before they arise. Regular review of project plans and the use of software tools for quality control and estimation, such as Bluebeam Review, are vital for accuracy and successful delivery. If you are interested in learning more about how B Project can support your construction scheduling services, please get in touch.

Conclusion and Recommendations

In summary, the implementation of robust project controls is essential for achieving successful project delivery in the construction industry. Effective project management, cost management, and contract administration form the backbone of these controls, enabling project managers to deliver projects on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. To overcome the challenges facing the industry, it is crucial for project managers to invest in the development of comprehensive project controls strategies, including advanced scheduling planning, cost management, and contract administration.

Engaging with experienced project controls specialists can provide the expertise and support needed to develop and implement these strategies effectively. Project managers should also focus on enhancing their own skills and knowledge in key areas such as cost management, scheduling planning, and contract administration. By taking these proactive steps, construction professionals can ensure the successful delivery of their projects, achieve their objectives, and drive continued success within the construction industry.