{
  "query": "UK construction cost trends May 2026 NEC contract quotation management",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "UK construction output in 2026 is projected to increase by 3.5% to 4.5% compared to 2025.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In headline terms, depending on which analysis is being followed, 2026 output is expected to be up by anywhere between 3.5% and 4.5% when compared with 2025.",
      "source_url": "https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/why-2026-better-days-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Building costs are forecast to rise by 15% and tender prices by 16% over a five-year period starting around 2026.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The BCIS construction forecast predicts that building costs are likely to increase by 15% over the next five years, with tender prices by 16% over the same period.",
      "source_url": "https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/why-2026-better-days-uk-construction-industry",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "NEC contract management in 2026 emphasizes proactive administration of compensation events, including notification, quotation, and prospective resolution.",
      "verbatim_quote": "B2 NEC Compensation Events B2a Notification & Quotation B2b PM Assessment & Acceptance B2c Prospective Resolution B2d Time Bar Alerts",
      "source_url": "https://archdesk.com/blog/jct-nec-contracts-uk-guide-2026",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Construction costs in 2026 remain structurally higher than pre-2020 levels due to labor shortages and supply-chain disruptions.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Margins remain tight, with construction costs structurally higher than pre-2020 levels, labour shortages persisting across skilled trades, and procurement remaining exposed to tariffs, trade policy uncertainty and supply-chain disruption.",
      "source_url": "https://www.bauwise.com/construction-cost-management-trends/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "NEC contract mechanisms, specifically early warnings and compensation events, are integral to cost control and change administration in the 2026 market.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In practice, those outcomes are governed through contract mechanisms (JCT variations, EOT and loss-and-expense; NEC early warnings and compensation events), so entitlement, valuation and change administration are part of cost control, not an afterthought.",
      "source_url": "https://www.bauwise.com/construction-cost-management-trends/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "The UK construction sector entered 2026 following a period of contraction with PMI readings below 50.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In the UK, the construction sector entered 2026 with a sustained period of contraction in late 2025, with S&P Global/CIPS construction PMI readings well below 50",
      "source_url": "https://www.bauwise.com/construction-cost-management-trends/",
      "relevance": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] UK construction output in 2026 is projected to increase by 3.5% to 4.5% compared to 2025. (source: https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/why-2026-better-days-uk-construction-industry)\n- [HIGH] Building costs are forecast to rise by 15% and tender prices by 16% over a five-year period starting around 2026. (source: https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/why-2026-better-days-uk-construction-industry)\n- [HIGH] NEC contract management in 2026 emphasizes proactive administration of compensation events, including notification, quotation, and prospective resolution. (source: https://archdesk.com/blog/jct-nec-contracts-uk-guide-2026)\n- [HIGH] Construction costs in 2026 remain structurally higher than pre-2020 levels due to labor shortages and supply-chain disruptions. (source: https://www.bauwise.com/construction-cost-management-trends/)\n- [HIGH] NEC contract mechanisms, specifically early warnings and compensation events, are integral to cost control and change administration in the 2026 market. (source: https://www.bauwise.com/construction-cost-management-trends/)\n- [MEDIUM] The UK construction sector entered 2026 following a period of contraction with PMI readings below 50. (source: https://www.bauwise.com/construction-cost-management-trends/)"
}