The Return to Work

As we officially move through Phase 1 of lockdown restrictions easing in Scotland, the construction industry is now able to begin implementing the initial phase of its restart plan, which involves getting sites ready so that outdoor work can resume safely when we move into the next phase. 

It’s going to be a busy time for those of us in the construction sector, as every aspect of the on-site environment is examined and measures are put in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved. 

On-site workers will have to adapt and change the way they work as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, and these changes are likely to be in effect well into the future. 

However, it isn’t only the on-site side of the industry which is undergoing considerable changes as we prepare to get back to work. The sales teams have also had to adapt considerably over the last few months, and will continue to do so even as lockdown continues to ease further. 

Take show homes, for example. We won’t be able to simply go back to the way things were pre-coronavirus as our sales suites begin to re-open. We’re working hard behind the scenes to look at every aspect of the show home journey, and how we can adapt these to make the experience as safe as possible for potential customers in the future. 

Hand sanitising stations will be installed throughout sales complexes, visits will be by appointment only, and additional cleaning time between each visit will be allocated. These are just some of the steps we’re taking to ensure our show homes can re-open in as safe a way as possible when the time is right. 

Some of the new elements we’ve introduced in response to the current situation, such as digital show home viewings, have been so successful that I truly believe they’re here to stay for good. Customers have responded positively to the way we’ve moved the home selection process online, and we’ve seen considerable peaks in our web traffic over the last three months. 

Although these changes to the industry have taken place under extremely strange circumstances, I think customers will become accustomed to the flexibility of being able to go through the home buying process digitally, and that it will continue long after lockdown has been lifted. 

No one knows exactly what the return to work for the construction industry will look like in the long-term, but I remain optimistic that we’re now moving in the right direction, and I am looking forward to taking the next steps and adapting to the new normal of home buying.