Construction must stop low price bids, urges ICAEW

Lowest-price tendering is forcing contractors to price their work at unrealistically low levels, which is likely to have serious consequences for the construction industry, according to ICAEW.

May 2019

In its Audit Insight report into construction, ICAEW warns that this race to the bottom could lead to not only more firms collapsing, it will also damage their supply chains, forcing more smaller firms out of business. To counter this unsustainable procurement culture, the report provides practical guidance and recommendations to help ensure the long-term success of the construction sector and the businesses that work within it.

The report highlights the key challenges construction companies face and provides recommendations to meet these risks before they become apparent in financial statements. In preparing its report, ICAEW collaborated with auditors with many years of experience of independently examining and auditing construction firms.

Andrew Hobbs, chair of the Audit Insights: construction working group and EY partner, said: “The construction sector is complex. Clients are often only looking for the lowest bid, which in turn encourages construction companies to offer unsustainable low prices in the hope that some aspect of the project will subsequently change to improve their profits. Unexpected changes can then turn small profits into losses and make it difficult to return a particular project to profitability.

“A robust approach to responsible project procurement and bidding is essential and needs to be supported by both sides. Contractors need to be more selective over which projects to bid for and ensure that they properly understand the risks. Clients need to ensure that tenders are based on best value and past performance rather than cost alone, and that they include performance incentives.”

The report warns the construction sector must do more to embrace innovation and technology, as well as attracting and training new and diverse skilled labour if it is to be fit for the future.

Andrew Hobbs said: “The sector will need a labour force that has the right skill-set to work with new technologies and new manufacturing methods. Currently the construction industry, like many others, is experiencing a shortage of skilled labour. This must be addressed as quickly as possible. This means showcasing the diversity of roles required, including planners, architects, surveyors, engineers and skilled trades people if the sector is to attract young and diverse new workers.”

• Read the guide ‘Audit Insight: Construction – Bidding for lasting value, delivering for success’.

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