Blog
Industry insight from a third-generation main contractor - buildability reviews, project stories and construction news from Clarks Construction.
UK Tender Price Growth 2021-2026: What Drove the Rise?
Discover why UK construction tender prices have risen by around 22% since 2021, from COVID disruption and the Ukraine energy shock to higher labour costs.
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The Importance of Quality Tendering - One of Clarks Construction's USPs
Three contractors, one tender pack, three numbers. The gap between them is rarely arithmetic - it's how much of the job each one understood before committing to a figure. That understanding is what we mean by quality tendering, and it's one of Clarks Construction's USPs.
Hiring: Contracts Manager & Quantity Surveyor
We're a third-generation main contractor delivering projects valued between £1m and £10m. Due to continued growth we're hiring a Contracts Manager and a Quantity Surveyor - genuine opportunities to shape how projects are procured, controlled and delivered.
UK Construction - Week of 27 July 2026
The retentions ban is confirmed, the Building Safety Levy lands on 1 October, and tender price forecasts now range from 3.45% to 5.6% for the same market. With workloads at -12% and margins under pressure, here's what quantity surveyors and architects should be acting on this month.
April Newsletter: The government has just announced a National Housing Bank and plans to build seven new towns
The government has announced a National Housing Bank and seven new towns. Bold ambition - but the UK doesn't just have a housing ambition problem. It has a delivery infrastructure problem. With private starts down 34% YoY, planning delays averaging 18+ months, and a wave of new regulatory demands hitting the sector simultaneously, the question isn't whether the intent is right. It is. The question is whether the machinery exists to execute it.
What a buildability review actually changes on architect's drawings: 7 real examples from RIBA Stage 3-4
A buildability review isn't about a contractor second-guessing an architect's design. It's about surfacing the dozens of small decisions where your drawing and the physical build will disagree, and deciding now, on screen, rather than later, on site.
What Does Quality Building Really Mean in 2026?
Clarks Construction Ltd explores what quality building really means in 2026 - from compliance and skilled trades to client collaboration. 50 years of award-winning construction across Hertfordshire, London & the South East.
Quality and Customer Service Reign Supreme in Construction - So Why Are Tenders Awarded on Price?
In our recent poll, respondents overwhelmingly agreed that the two most important factors in construction are quality and customer service. But despite universal agreement on these priorities, the majority of tenders are awarded based on price. Why?
Does the UK have enough builders?
The UK construction industry faces a critical shortage of skilled workers, jeopardising the government's goal of building 1.5M homes over the next five years. Key factors include an ageing workforce, declining apprenticeship uptake, and reduced labour supply post-Brexit.
Sam Clark: Building a Legacy in Construction and Beyond
Sam Clark, Managing Director of Clarks Construction, shares his remarkable career transition to becoming a visionary leader in construction. Sam discusses his approach to fostering growth within the company by promoting a culture of transparency, collaboration, and embracing new technologies.
The Future of Construction: How Robots and Humans Will Build Together
The future of construction is a collaboration between humans and robots. With advancements in robotics, tasks like bricklaying, site monitoring, and heavy lifting can be handled by machines, increasing efficiency, safety, and precision.
The Secret Behind The Empire State Building: Planning
1.7 floors per week at its peak. 410 days from start to finish. 3,500 workers. 102 stories that was completed in New York City in 1931. The secret? Thorough planning.