{
  "query": "UK construction cost and schedule overrun benchmarks 2024-2026 steel industry",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "Typical lead times for structural steel in the UK are benchmarked at 14 to 18 weeks as of late 2025.",
      "verbatim_quote": "A 2025 industry benchmark from BCIS put typical lead times at 14 to 18 weeks for structural steel and curtain walling.",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Structural steel sections have experienced a price increase of 15-22% since January 2026.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Structural steel sections. Up 15-22% since January 2026.",
      "source_url": "https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "UK steel stockholders issued surcharge notices in March 2026 with price increases ranging from 18% to 30%.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In the first week of March 2026, three UK steel stockholders sent surcharge notices to their customers. The increases ranged from 18% to 30%, effective within 14 days.",
      "source_url": "https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "UK rebar prices in 2026 are tracking at £750-£800 per tonne, a significant increase from the £520-£560 range seen in early 2024.",
      "verbatim_quote": "UK rebar prices are tracking at roughly £750-£800 per tonne delivered, compared to £520-£560 in early 2024.",
      "source_url": "https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Prelims allowances in winning bids increased by 6% to 8% year-on-year by late 2025, contributing to higher delay costs.",
      "verbatim_quote": "BCIS, late 2025: prelims allowances in winning bids up 6% to 8% YoY",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "From July 2026, steel imported above reduced quotas will be subject to a 50% tariff, doubling the previous rate.",
      "verbatim_quote": "From July 2026, tariff free import quotas will be reduced by around 60%, with steel imported above the quota now subject to a 50% tariff – double the previous rate.",
      "source_url": "https://www.4summit.co.uk/articles-media/uk-steel-market-update",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Schedule overruns in London are frequently driven by prelims overruns related to logistics and access rather than just labour.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Most London losses are not “labour overruns”. They are prelims overruns caused by access, logistics, and supervision that were never priced as a plan.",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] Typical lead times for structural steel in the UK are benchmarked at 14 to 18 weeks as of late 2025. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)\n- [HIGH] Structural steel sections have experienced a price increase of 15-22% since January 2026. (source: https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/)\n- [HIGH] UK steel stockholders issued surcharge notices in March 2026 with price increases ranging from 18% to 30%. (source: https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/)\n- [HIGH] UK rebar prices in 2026 are tracking at £750-£800 per tonne, a significant increase from the £520-£560 range seen in early 2024. (source: https://rospower.co.uk/blog/construction-costs-geopolitical-disruption-2026/)\n- [MEDIUM] Prelims allowances in winning bids increased by 6% to 8% year-on-year by late 2025, contributing to higher delay costs. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)\n- [MEDIUM] From July 2026, steel imported above reduced quotas will be subject to a 50% tariff, doubling the previous rate. (source: https://www.4summit.co.uk/articles-media/uk-steel-market-update)\n- [MEDIUM] Schedule overruns in London are frequently driven by prelims overruns related to logistics and access rather than just labour. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/2026-state-of-the-uk-construction-industry)"
}