Construction across Liverpool has remained steady but subdued, reflecting wider national trends of slower project conversion and cautious decision-making among developers and investors, according to Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK).
The independent built environment consultancy’s latest regional market analysis states that construction-specific cost pressures remain higher, driven by labour shortages and elevated input costs.
Tender prices across the region are expected to increase gradually within a range of 2% to 4% over the next 12 months. RLB’s Tender Price Index (TPI) forecast for 2026 for the North West is 3% compared with a forecast of 3.45% nationally.
Stuart Wands, RLB UK Partner based in Liverpool, said:
“Despite near-term challenges including the impact of middle east conflict, the strength of the region’s development pipeline and continued investment in infrastructure and regeneration projects play a key role in sustaining activity in the region and support a positive medium-term outlook.
“Across the North West, contractors continue to price projects cautiously. Labour shortages remain the most significant source of cost inflation, particularly in specialist trades and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) packages.
“Material costs are more mixed. Steel reinforcement prices had been easing prior to the middle east conflict, while aggregates and timber remain relatively high.”
Activity across the North West is continuing to adapt to persistent cost pressures, with labour shortages and selective contractor bidding shaping the region’s market outlook.
