Featuring insights from Chris Jones, Warrin Orman and Ian Meaton – straight from the FARA frontline.
SEQ’s commercial construction scene is buzzing with opportunity: the long ramp-up to Brisbane 2032, big injections into public infrastructure and a healthy pipeline for education, healthcare and heritage work.
But the rules of engagement? They’re changing. Fast.
We sat down with FARA Directors Chris Jones and Warrin Orman, and Estimating Manager Ian Meaton, to unpack where the market’s heading – and how the smartest architects, project managers, property consultants and business owners are adapting to stay ahead.
The sectors to watch
Education, Healthcare, Heritage – this is where the action is.
“Education and healthcare are reliable staples,” says Ian. “And heritage restoration? Busy as ever. That’s where we’re seeing the most activity.”
We’re hearing whispers of private sector organisations across the state aligning future projects to take full advantage of the IOC’s Olympics masterplan. Like you, we’re keeping an eye out for those projects.
Key takeaway: These projects are slow to start, fast to move once funded – now’s the time to get upstream. The right relationships now = work in 18 months.
Prices are up. And they’re not coming down.
Let’s call it: construction is getting expensive.
Materials. Labour. Insurance. It’s all climbing.
“Prices never go backwards,” says Ian. “Margins are tight. Competition’s fierce.”
Warrin backs this up and adds: “We’ve got to ask – how expensive is too expensive before the project is no longer feasible? Especially with skilled-labour shortages making it worse.”
“Clients tell us they’ve gained better budget certainty on projects where we’ve been involved early – tapping into our buildability expertise and our network of specialist contractors,” Warrin says.
Key takeaway: Keeping projects feasible in this market means rethinking the process. Integrate design, cost planning and buildability advice early. The sooner your builder is involved, the more value you’ll unlock – and the fewer budget shocks you’ll face later.
Welcome to the next phase of pricing evolution: Why projects are stalling (and how to stay ahead of it)
If you’ve felt like getting from ‘tender received’ to ‘contract signed’ has turned into a drawn-out waiting game… you’re not imagining it.
“Post-submission delays have become the norm – and that’s not ideal,” says Ian. “Everyone’s feeling it.”
We’re calling it what it is: the next phase of pricing evolution.
What used to be a relatively quick post-tender process has slowed to a crawl. Negotiations get done, verbal awards are given… and then, suddenly, new roadblocks appear. Budgets blow out. Pricing approvals bounce back to board level. Sign-offs get pushed to next month’s agenda.
Why? Pricing volatility has decision-makers spooked.
“Market pricing is inconsistent,” Chris explains. “We feel for QSs right now – book rates are out of date the minute they’re printed. Rawlinsons may need to shift to quarterly updates just to keep pace.”
And with such widespreads in competitive tender pricing, confidence in any single number is hard to find.
“So much fluctuation and variation in pricing makes it difficult for clients to feel confident enough to push the button,” says Chris.
But here’s the upside: we’re already helping clients navigate this new reality.
We’re seeing smart project teams adapt by:
- Building accurate procurement timelines into their programs
- Locking in critical-path trade packages early, where possible, and
- Pushing accurate market pricing upfront.
Key takeaway: If you’re still planning projects the way you did three years ago… it’s time to rethink. For fewer headaches and more control throughout the entire project journey, push for builder engagement earlier (hint hint ECI) and lock in program buffers before your project hits crunch time.
The labour crisis no one’s solving
“We don’t have enough skilled workers. Full stop,” says Warrin.
Why? Where do we start…
- COVID saw a wave of early retirements
- Lagging apprenticeship rates, and
- A training model that’s too fractured, too slow and too detached from the real demands of modern sites.
“The global shift towards white-collar roles outside of construction continues, reducing the number of workers going down the trade pathway,” he adds. “The system needs a full rethink and reset – and the State and Federal government need to step up as part of the solution. Relying heavily on privatised training just isn’t cutting it.”
Key takeaway: Choose builders with stable teams and long-term subbie relationships – not just the cheapest price on paper. Because continuity matters. Especially now.
Culture: The underrated advantage
“People want to work where they’re supported and where their work means something,” says Warrin. “It’s not just about the pay cheque. Culture’s the make-or-break now.”
Chris agrees: “Good people have options. If you want to keep them, you need to build a place they want to be.”
As demand ramps up and skilled professionals become even more sought after, expect top-tier talent to align themselves with teams that value respect, transparency and collaboration. Those cultural traits will show up where it counts – in better coordination, fewer delays and smoother builds.
Why it matters to you:
- Project teams with good culture have lower turnover
- That means better continuity, fewer delays and tighter handovers
- And in a market this lean, every bit of consistency counts.
Key takeaway: Builders who retain staff across the life of your project will save you time, stress and rework. Ask your builder how they retain talent. Make it part of your tender criteria. It’s a serious performance lever – and a sign of a team that’ll stick around when it counts.
Why ECI is the smartest move you can make in 2025–2026
After everything we’ve covered – unpredictable pricing, drawn-out procurement, labour shortages and the make-or-break impact of team culture – the next logical question is: How do you take back control?
Enter Early Contractor Involvement (ECI).
In this market, ECI isn’t a luxury – it’s certainty.
“We’re seeing a clear shift toward ECI-to-D&C hybrid delivery,” Chris says. “And for good reason – integrating design, cost planning, and buildability advice early gives everyone more control. You can design to budget. You can lock in trades early. Place orders on long lead time items. You can get ahead of the curve.”
And in a volatile pricing environment, control = confidence.
Here’s what ECI really delivers:
- Manages risk before construction starts
- Clarifies scope when it’s still flexible (and affordable to adjust)
- Finds design and delivery efficiencies that can save millions
- Aligns contractors, designers, clients and delivery teams from day one, and
- Builds trust early – and keeps it strong through delivery.
This isn’t just about better outcomes. It’s about fewer RFIs, fewer budget blowouts, faster approvals and more confident business decisions.
Key takeaway: Want a smoother build? Start by getting the right people talking early. Because in 2025–2026, collaboration isn’t optional – it’s the edge that will get your project over the line.
So, where does that leave you?
If you’re designing, planning, funding or managing projects in 2025–2026, here’s the reality:
- Costs will stay high
- Contract approvals will be slow
- Labour will stay tight, and
- Procurement will get harder.
All while your stakeholders still expect fast, on-budget delivery.
Yes, the pipeline is full. But turning opportunities into built outcomes? That’s going to take a sharper toolkit:
- Smarter procurement strategies
- Earlier collaboration with all project partners, and
- Delivery partners with the culture, consistency and experience to keep projects moving when the pressure’s on.
Now’s the time to ask:
- Could your next project benefit from ECI?
- Are you designing to budget – or crossing your fingers?
- Is your builder proactive … or just reactive?
- Are you working with a team of people you actually want to deal with for the next 12 months?
This year will reward the well-prepared, the well-connected and the well-aligned. Because in this climate, you don’t just need a builder – you need a strategic partner who sees the full picture and moves with you.
Have a project on the horizon? Let’s talk about how to make it your smoothest one yet.
