Independent Northern Ireland construction and property management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) reports that the Northern Ireland’s construction sector remains busy, with a healthy forward pipeline into 2025. Confidence has been reinforced by major project starts, including the Strule Shared Education Campus and Belfast’s new children’s hospital, underscoring the region’s long-term growth potential.
New opportunities keeping Northern Ireland’s construction sector busy
Construction activity across the region shows a mixed picture by sector, but Belfast continues to experience strong momentum. Order books are robust, and many contractors are able to be selective about the opportunities they pursue. Healthcare remains a standout sector, with sustained investment and Higher Education activity continues at pace, with universities maintaining and expanding estates and developing new student accommodation.
Tender Prices
As elsewhere in the UK, labour and materials availability remain tight. While tender prices are expected to edge up in line with industry forecasts, the volume of large projects progressing across the region should support competition and help keep inflation steady rather than spiking. This contrasts with the national UK trend, where weaker order books are driving tighter, more competitive bidding and increasing downstream delivery risk.
At a national level, input costs are under pressure, with recent indices pointing to modest downward adjustments. Regionally, demand for skilled labour remains particularly for masonry and MEP workers. MEP tender returns have increased markedly due to labour scarcity and limited capacity among competent subcontractors.
Carl King, RLB Senior Cost Manager at RLB NI comments:
“While material costs have broadly stabilised, labour availability remains the most significant inflationary driver, especially in high demand sectors in Northern Ireland. With tender prices forecast by around 3% over the next year, early contractor engagement is critical to securing capacity, managing risk and maintaining programme certainty.”
Read RLB’s Construction Market Intelligence Q3 please click here.
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