In the fast-paced world of London’s residential construction market, project managers are constantly juggling timelines, budgets, and a complex web of contractors and trades. From plumbers and electricians to carpenters and roofers, keeping everyone on the same page is a monumental task. But what if the biggest drain on your project’s profitability isn’t the cost of materials or labour, but something far more subtle and insidious: poor communication?
Recent data from the Federation of Master Builders paints a concerning picture of the UK construction industry. While workloads and employment are on the rise for the first time in two years, a persistent skills shortage is causing significant project delays and even cancellations [1]. This shortage is particularly acute for key trades like carpenters (33%), roofers (32%), and plumbers (28%). For London-based construction firms, this means a smaller pool of skilled workers and increased competition for their services.
Trade & Difficulty in Recruiting
Carpenters - 33%
Roofers - 32%
Plumbers - 28%
Source: Federation of Master Builders, 2025
This skills gap is compounded by another major challenge: the struggle to find workers with knowledge of new building safety regimes (64%) and sustainable building practices (59%). The result? A staggering 61% of construction SMEs report that skills shortages are directly impacting their work, leading to project delays and cancellations.
While the skills shortage is a significant hurdle, it’s the breakdown in communication that often turns a manageable challenge into a costly crisis. Disjointed communication channels—a chaotic mix of emails, WhatsApp messages, and text messages—create information silos, leading to misunderstandings, mistakes, and ultimately, expensive rework. When your plumber doesn’t have the latest updated plans from the architect, or the electrician is working off an old schedule, the ripple effect can be devastating to your project’s timeline and budget.
This is where traditional construction project management software often falls short. While platforms like Fieldwire, Procore, and Coconstruct offer a range of features, they often fail to address the fundamental communication challenges faced by residential construction firms in the UK. They can be overly complex, expensive, and not tailored to the specific needs of the London market.
This is where BRCKS comes in. Designed specifically for the UK residential construction market, BRCKS is a revolutionary project management and communication platform that streamlines your entire workflow, from initial design to final handover. Unlike our competitors, we understand the unique challenges of the London market and have built a solution that is both powerful and easy to use.
With BRCKS, you can say goodbye to the chaos of multiple communication channels. Our centralised platform ensures that everyone on your project—from the architect and project manager to the plumber and electrician—has access to the latest information, plans, and schedules. This seamless flow of information eliminates misunderstandings, reduces the risk of errors, and keeps your project on track and on budget.
But don’t just take our word for it. Bonchurch BC, a leading London-based construction and maintenance company, reported saving an incredible one hour per day for both their management and maintenance divisions after implementing BRCKS. That’s a significant saving in time and money that can be reinvested back into your business.
“BRCKS has transformed the way we manage our projects. The centralised communication platform has eliminated the confusion and delays that used to plague our sites. We’re saving time, money, and a lot of headaches.” - Director, Bonchurch BC
The UK construction industry is poised for significant growth, with the market projected to reach £483.17 billion by 2034 [2]. However, to capitalise on this growth, London’s residential construction firms need to embrace new technologies that can help them overcome the challenges of the skills shortage and communication breakdowns. BRCKS is the key to unlocking this potential.
•Construction Project Management: A Complete Guide for London Builders
•How Poor Communication Costs Construction Projects Thousands
•Why Construction Communication Breaks Down (And How to Fix It)
BRCKS is currently in beta and we’re offering a limited number of free trials to London-based residential construction companies. Visit our website at https://brcks.io to learn more and sign up for your free trial today. Don’t let poor communication drain your profits any longer. Plug the leak with BRCKS.
[1] UK construction: workloads rise, but skills shortage persists[2]
