In the ?Why aren?t sustainable buildings happening???? seminar held in January 2009, those with M&E contracting jobs in this country debated about the issue of sustainability and its current role in the building services sector. Although there has been considerable pressure both from soaring energy costs and from local governments that are keenly promoting everything renewable, most M&E contractors are still going along their usual approach. Why?

One major reason is budget. Because jobs in M&E contracting are secured through fiercely competitive tenders, contractors need to take all financial aspects of their projects into account before even starting to think about anything sustainable.

Another contributing factor is the clients, who demand economical designs but are often reluctant to try out new material or equipment. As those with M&E jobs would know: ?We go into detail about different systems, but in our hearts we know they?ll go for the gas-fired boiler.???

More importantly, many businesses are not yet convinced that sustainable technologies will be good for them in the long term. Particularly when times are tough, companies both large and small seek a return on investment in months, if not weeks. Whereas to those with M&E contracting jobs, who truly appreciate the values of sustainable buildings, a payback of three to five years is a good return on investment.

Indeed, for most businesses, and especially for governments at all levels that are spending the money of taxpayers, it all comes down to cost. Sustainability is often so low on the agenda during assessment that those contractors offering cheap quotes during the tender process are winning most M&E jobs.

If such convention is to be changed, then more tangible evidence is required to support and further advance the argument that sustainability is value for money. Even more critical is for those with M&E contracting jobs to work together with architects and clients early on in the planning stage, so that their valuable comments and suggestions on how sustainability may be achieved are heard. After all, the ultimate aim of all M&E jobs is to provide products and services of the highest standards.