Why Still the Local Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB)

So why concrete hollow blocks (CHB) are still in demand despite the creative marketing hype of the new wall materials out there (can’t mention specifics) who process faster builds thus they claim to save on the cost of labor and faster finishing works.
Let’s examine those big claims:

-Do the new wall blocks save on labor? Everybody knows it does not save you on the cost of the labor time since inhouse own workers are not familiar with that new block material yet – which means if you want to benefit on the speed element, you will be forced to get the labor services of the manufacturers since they are the ones who are familiar with it. If you are a contractor, it means you will have to let them sub contract the walling – and subcontracting usually costs high since these companies are usually not affordable. Even if your workers are taught by these new companies offering better blocks, their blocks still cost way higher compared to the locally available hollow blocks at only fifteen pesos per block.

-Does the new wall block material save you on the finishing works – patching and painting? Yes, it does but whatever amount you may save on the finishing will not be able to compensate on the cost per block of those new block materials.
Other things factors that are detrimental to the project when you use those new wall materials:

-It is not easy to order them. Since these new wall materials or blocks are usually manufactured by only one company, there is a very high chance that you will have to wait weeks to get your order delivered to your project site. Weeks or even days of delay in the construction will cost you dearly on the labor cost – workers not being ablet to work on their usual speed due to the waiting time for the materials to arrive. And another thing, when you order, make sure you order enough since it is not easy to order additional quantities – you will have to wait weeks again.

If you stay loyal to the ever cheaper hollow blocks, you will never get a delay on your order of more than 2 days since they are everywhere and you can order anywhere. If your favorite hardware supplier ran out of hollow blocks, then simply go to your second favorite supplier. In other words, simply jump between suppliers and you will never run short of supply of the ever always available and affordable hollow blocks.