By Jake Green, General Manager
As we begin 2026, I find myself reflecting on the shifts shaping the construction industry and the role Maaken continues to play in navigating them. One thing has become increasingly clear: the focus is no longer simply on volume. It is on building smarter systems that deliver lasting value.
Demand for housing remains strong, costs are still elevated, and labour is the biggest constraint across the country. With that in mind, builders are being forced to rethink how they deliver projects – not only by adding more people, but by building smarter.
From alternative to mainstream
Over the past year, we’ve seen systems like Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) take off. What was once considered alternative technology is now mainstream. AAC and other high performance wall systems are becoming the standard where energy efficiency, fire safety and acoustic performance matter.
For Maaken, this trend plays directly to our strengths. Builders are increasingly looking for partners who can own the full scope and remove complexity from site, rather than adding another interface to manage.
What the industry needs to prioritise
If 2026 is going to be a turning point, the industry will need to prioritise productivity and quality over the lowest price.
Construction productivity in Queensland today is only around 5 per cent higher than it was in the mid-1990s, while productivity across the broader economy has grown by around 65 per cent over the same period. That gap explains why projects feel harder to deliver, even with more people involved.
Builders and developers are responding by prioritising cost certainty and program reliability. Fixed or capped rates, fewer variations, less rework and clearer accountability matter far more than pricing that looks cheap on paper but unravels on site. At Maaken, our focus is on delivering certainty from day one through well-scoped, fully documented systems that perform as promised.
Sustainability and compliance will also remain front and centre. As energy codes tighten and insurer expectations increase, systems that can clearly demonstrate fire, weatherproofing and energy performance are not optional, they are essential.
What we need to see less of
There are a few habits the industry would benefit from leaving in the past. Short-term price-only decisions are one of them, particularly where they disregard program risk, quality and cost. Another is rebate-driven supply models that serve head office spreadsheets more than on-site outcomes.
Red tape around skilled labour also needs attention. The Productivity Commission estimates that if construction productivity could simply return to 2018 levels, the industry could have produced 9 per cent more output with the same number of workers.
Well-qualified overseas trades are already making a difference when they reach site – the challenge is getting them there faster
Looking ahead with purpose
For Maaken, 2026 is about building on these shifts to deliver more value for our builder partners. Our focus is on cementing our position as Queensland’s go-to AAC firewall and facade contractor, deepening relationships with aligned builders, strengthening supplier partnerships, and continuing to invest in our people and Smartly Done systems.
The challenges ahead are real, but so are the opportunities. Those who build smarter, integrate better and prioritise quality will be best placed to succeed in 2026 and beyond.
