#construction estimate company

[constructionestimating]

How Construction Takeoff Services Enhance Your Competitive Edge in the Industry?

What Are Construction Takeoff Services?

Construction Takeoff Services analyze blueprints, project specifications, and other documents to determine the exact quantities of materials needed for the job. Whether it's concrete, steel, lumber, or other materials, company ensure that the quantities are calculated precisely, which allows for more accurate budgeting and resource planning.

The Benefits of Construction Takeoff Services

Improved Accuracy in Estimating Costs

One of the primary advantages of utilizing construction takeoff services is the increased accuracy of cost estimates. Accurate estimate company help prevent costly mistakes that could arise from miscalculations or overlooked details. When contractors rely on their own estimations, there’s a risk of underestimating material costs, overestimating labor requirements, or missing out on critical aspects of the project. By working with experts in estimating company, businesses can ensure that their estimates are based on precise data. These professionals use advanced software and tools to carefully calculate the quantities of materials and labor required, allowing contractors to produce detailed and accurate cost breakdowns. As a result, the chances of budget overruns or scope changes are minimized, which enhances the overall profitability and success of the project.

Faster Project Planning and Quotation Process

Construction takeoff services can dramatically speed up the process of planning and quoting for a project. Manual methods, while accurate, can be time-consuming and prone to human error. By outsourcing this task to a specialized team, contractors can save valuable time and resources that would otherwise be spent on in-house procedures. Furthermore, the use of software allows for quicker and more efficient calculations. The software can automate many aspects of the process, such as counting materials, calculating volumes, and generating reports. This results in faster project planning, which can give contractors the edge when bidding for projects. A quicker turnaround on quotes means that contractors can submit proposals to clients sooner, increasing their chances of winning contracts over competitors who may take longer to prepare estimates.

Better Resource Allocation and Budget Control

Construction takeoff services provide valuable insights into the quantities and types of resources needed for a project. With a clear understanding of the required materials and labor, contractors can better allocate their resources. This leads to a more efficient use of time and materials, reducing waste and minimizing delays. Company also plays a key role in maintaining budget control. By accurately estimating the costs of materials and labor, contractors can create more realistic budgets and avoid overspending. In many cases, an accurate estimate will highlight potential cost-saving opportunities, such as finding alternative suppliers for materials or adjusting the scope of work to meet budget constraints.

Reduction in Errors and Rework

Errors in projects can be costly, leading to delays, increased labor costs, and even legal disputes. One of the most common sources of error in projects is inaccurate data. When materials are ordered in excess or insufficient quantities, contractors can face unexpected delays and additional costs as they try to correct the mistakes. By using professional estimate company, the likelihood of errors is greatly reduced. Estimate Company ensure that the quantities are calculated accurately, leaving little room for mistakes. As a result, contractors are less likely to face the need for rework, which can eat into project timelines and budgets. The efficiency gained by avoiding errors and rework gives contractors a competitive edge, as they can deliver projects more quickly and cost-effectively than those relying on inaccurate or incomplete estimates.

Increased Competitiveness in Bidding

In a competitive market, the ability to submit accurate and timely bids can make or break a contractor’s chances of winning a project. Construction takeoff services enhance a construction estimate company competitiveness by providing the tools and insights needed to create well-informed bids. Accurate contractors to produce realistic proposals that account for all aspects of the project, reducing the risk of underbidding or overbidding. Furthermore, the speed with which accurate estimates can be generated gives contractors an edge over competitors who may take longer to submit their bids. In many cases, clients are looking for quick responses, and contractors who can provide detailed and accurate bids faster are more likely to win contracts.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive projects industry, staying ahead of the competition requires precision, efficiency, and the ability to manage costs effectively. The company offers numerous benefits, including improved accuracy, faster project planning, better resource allocation, and reduced errors.

[construction-estimates-service]

Construction Estimating Services

Our Construction Estimating Services are designed to provide you with accurate and comprehensive estimates for your construction projects. Whether you're involved in residential, commercial, or industrial construction, our team of experienced estimators is here to assist you. We offer a range of services, including cost estimating, material takeoff, and consulting. Our estimators utilize industry-standard methods and cutting-edge software to ensure the highest level of accuracy.

[xpandprojects]

Xpand Projects specializes in construction estimating services for all types of building projects, from small renovations to large-scale developments.Visit https://xpandprojects.com.au/.

[crisscross-au]

Project Management Building Services: What Is It and How It Started

Project management building services begun in parallel to the existence of the construction industry. As the need for efficient projects and undertakings arise, so does the demand for project management building services.

Read more: https://crisscrossgroup.com.au/2022/08/26/project-management-building-services-2/

[bluebookestimators]

The Role and Importance of Estimation Companies in the USA

Introduction

In the construction and project management industries, precision is paramount. Accurate cost estimation plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of any project, from building a new skyscraper to remodeling a residential home. This is where estimation companies step in. These specialized firms are dedicated to providing precise and reliable cost estimates for a wide range of projects across the United States. In this article, we will explore the significance of Estimation Companies in USA, their functions, and the benefits they bring to various sectors.

The Role of Estimation Companies

Estimation companies, also known as cost estimating firms, are responsible for providing detailed cost assessments for projects. Their primary function is to calculate the expenses associated with a project, which helps clients, such as construction companies, property developers, and government agencies, make informed decisions about the feasibility of their endeavors. These estimations are critical for project planning, budgeting, financing, and ultimately ensuring that the project remains within budget.

Key Functions of Estimation Companies

Cost Estimation: Estimation companies employ a team of experts who are skilled in analyzing project requirements and generating detailed cost estimates. They consider various factors such as labor, materials, equipment, overhead costs, and contingencies. These professionals have extensive knowledge of industry-specific cost data, allowing them to provide highly accurate estimates.

Bid Preparation: For construction projects, estimation companies assist contractors and subcontractors in preparing competitive bids. They help clients understand the market conditions, evaluate subcontractor quotes, and calculate their own bids to secure contracts effectively.

Value Engineering: Estimation firms often engage in value engineering, which focuses on optimizing project costs without sacrificing quality. By suggesting cost-effective alternatives and design modifications, they can help clients save money without compromising the project's integrity.

Risk Assessment: Estimation companies also conduct risk assessments, identifying potential financial risks associated with a project. This includes assessing factors like market conditions, labor shortages, and material price fluctuations, enabling clients to prepare for potential challenges.

Benefits of Estimation Companies

Cost Accuracy: Estimation companies provide precise cost estimates, helping clients avoid costly surprises during project execution. This accuracy is especially crucial for projects with fixed budgets.

Time Savings: By outsourcing cost estimation to experts, clients save valuable time that would otherwise be spent on researching, calculating, and validating cost figures.

Improved Decision-Making: Reliable cost estimates allow clients to make informed decisions about project feasibility, scope, and financial planning, ultimately leading to successful project outcomes.

Enhanced Competitiveness: Contractors and developers can stay competitive in the market by having access to accurate and competitive cost estimates, helping them secure contracts and win bids.

Risk Mitigation: Estimation companies help clients identify and mitigate potential risks, reducing the chances of cost overruns and project delays.

Conclusion

Estimation companies in the USA play a vital role in various industries, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, within budget, and with a high degree of accuracy. These specialized firms offer services that go beyond mere cost estimation, including bid preparation, value engineering, and risk assessment. The benefits of partnering with an estimation company are manifold, including cost accuracy, time savings, improved decision-making, enhanced competitiveness, and effective risk mitigation. As the construction and project management industries continue to evolve, the role of estimation companies remains indispensable in the pursuit of successful projects across the United States.

[goldenkeysconstruction]

Golden Keys Construction is a reputable construction company in Chennai. With a proven track record of excellence in the construction industry, we specialize in delivering high-quality construction solutions for a wide range of projects. Our commitment to precision, innovation, and customer satisfaction sets us apart as a leader in the field.

[sydneyestimator0]

Sydney Estimator is a team of experts in construction estimation and project management who serve Sydney and NSW. We provide cost effective Construction Estimating Services for the Building and Construction Industry.

[reasonsforhope]

"As 3D-printing methods continue to evolve, it’s not uncommon to see this method employed for various engineering projects, especially in the construction of affordable housing, structures, and schools.

In Ireland, a first-of-its-kind social housing project has been built from the ground up, using 3D printing as a time and money-saving solution.

In fact, it’s Europe’s first 3D-printed social housing project, fully compliant with international standards. In Grange Close, Dundalk, the three-unit terraced build is now a milestone achievement in eastern Ireland. It was created by Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL.tech) and assembled using COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer.

The unit is 3,550 square feet and is divided into three separate homes, each measuring 1,184 square feet.

The use of this technology allowed for a 35% faster construction process, which took 132 days from start to finish. During that time, the 3D-printed superstructure itself was completed in just 12 printing days. 

Conventional construction methods usually require more than 200 days, according to COBOD, meaning this method could be transformative in quickly scaling affordable housing options.

“Ireland’s housing crisis, driven by a decade of under-construction and rising demand, has reached critical levels, leading to widespread protests and influencing national elections,” HTL.tech shared in a press release.

“The rapid construction made possible by 3D printing offers a promising solution. The homes in Dundalk demonstrate how this technology can address housing shortages by dramatically reducing construction time and costs.”

In the 132 days it took to go from initial site preparation to handing over keys to the client, builders say approximately half of the time savings came directly from 3D printing. 

Additionally, during the project, COBOD upgraded the concrete hose of its printer, which increased its output by 40% and significantly increased the printing speed. With this upgrade, the company estimates that printing times for similar structures would be reduced to nine days instead of 12.

“We continue to improve our technology,” Henrik Lund-Nielsen, general manager and founder of COBOD International, said in a statement, “and although a hose update can be seen as a small step, the numbers from HTL.tech proves that it is not.”

Now, the client — a local housing council — will finish furnishing the homes and will rent them to social housing tenants at an affordable price.

It’s a success that will surely have ripple effects.

“As the first 3D-printed social housing project in Europe, the Grange Close development sets a precedent for future housing solutions,” a press release from HTL.tech explained. “With countries like Sweden and Germany also experimenting with 3D-printed homes, this technology is poised to become a standard approach for addressing housing shortages.”

The statement also added that governments across Europe may increasingly adopt 3D printing to “deliver faster, more cost-effective housing solutions for low-income residents.” 

“This project not only showcases the potential for rapid, sustainable construction but also serves as a blueprint for other nations facing similar challenges,” the statement concluded. “As 3D printing technology evolves, its role in shaping the future of housing construction looks increasingly promising.”"

-via GoodGoodGood, January 23, 2025

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[constructionestimating]

Why Professional Rebar Estimating Services Matter for Structural Integrity and Cost Control?

Introduction

In the world of construction, the significance of each material used in a project cannot be overstated. Among the materials that play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, durability, and longevity of a structure. Rebar is the backbone of reinforced concrete, providing strength and stability to buildings, bridges, highways, and other infrastructures. However, as vital as rebar is to construction, the process of rebar estimating services is the correct amount, size, and placement is equally important.

Ensuring Structural Integrity

A well-constructed structure depends on precise engineering, and rebar is a vital part of that equation. Rebar reinforces the concrete, helping to manage the tension forces that the concrete alone cannot handle. For instance, in a building, bridge, or road, rebar placement must be meticulously calculated and positioned to ensure safety and stability. If the rebar is insufficient, or incorrectly placed, the structural integrity of the entire project could be compromised, leading to dangerous consequences like cracks, settlement, or even failure under stress. Professional rebar estimating services ensure that the exact quantity, size, and type of rebar needed for a project are correctly calculated from the beginning. Estimators factor in various design elements, including load-bearing calculations, structural requirements, and the type of environment the structure will face (e.g., exposure to corrosive elements).

Accurate Cost Control

One of the primary reasons why professional rebar estimating services matter is their ability to control costs effectively. Rebar is often one of the most significant material costs in a construction project. A miscalculation in quantity or incorrect material specifications can lead to budget overruns, material shortages, or unnecessary procurement of excess stock. Both scenarios are costly and time-consuming, leading to delays and waste. Professional construction estimate use specialized software tools and industry knowledge to provide highly accurate estimates. These tools factor in the dimensions of the structure placement, and spacing, ensuring that the right amount of material is purchased without excess. Construction projects often produce material waste, but accurate estimates help reduce unnecessary surplus. This ensures that the project does not experience unexpected shortages or additional costs due to over-ordering.

Minimizing Delays and Enhancing Project Timelines

Accurate rebar estimating helps ensure that the project progresses smoothly without delays. When rebar quantities and materials are miscalculated, it can lead to significant setbacks. For example, if there is a shortage of rebar or incorrect materials are ordered, work may need to be halted until the issue is resolved. These delays can result in extended project timelines and higher labor costs as workers wait for materials. With professional rebar estimating, contractors can anticipate the required quantities early in the process, helping to ensure that the correct materials are on-site when needed. By planning, construction estimators can also take into account factors such as the size of the project, the delivery schedule, and the work sequence, ensuring that materials arrive on time and without delay. This helps keep the project on track and prevents costly downtime.

Reducing Risk and Enhancing Safety

Construction projects inherently involve a degree of risk, and safety should always be a top priority. Incorrectly estimated rebar quantities or poorly placed rebar can create dangerous working conditions, particularly when construction workers are handling heavy materials or dealing with tensioned structures. Structural failures, even small ones, can cause significant safety hazards on-site. Professional rebar estimating services help mitigate these risks by ensuring that the project is designed and executed with optimal structural strength. Rebar estimators are also well-versed in construction safety protocols, helping to ensure that the right amount of material is used, and the rebar is installed as designed. This reduces the likelihood of hazardous scenarios such as collapsing beams or slabs.

Precision and Detailing for Complex Projects

Large-scale or complex construction projects, such as high-rise buildings, bridges, or industrial plants, often require intricate rebar installations. These projects demand a high level of precision when construction estimating and placing rebar due to the complexity of the structural design and the scale of the work. Manual calculations can easily lead to mistakes, resulting in costly errors and project delays. Professional rebar estimating services are equipped with advanced tools and methods to handle these complex calculations accurately. They provide highly detailed takeoffs and blueprints, indicating the exact placement and number of required in each section of the structure.

Long-Term Maintenance and Durability

The longevity and durability of a structure depend significantly on the quality of the materials used, including the rebar. Incorrectly estimated or inferior-quality rebar can lead to structural issues over time, such as corrosion or weakening of the concrete. Professional estimators consider factors like environmental exposure and the long-term demands on the structure, ensuring that the right type of rebar is specified.

Conclusion

Professional rebar estimating services are crucial for any construction project, ensuring that the structure's integrity is maintained, costs are controlled, and project timelines are adhered to. The precision, knowledge, and experience estimators bring to the table help minimize errors, reduce waste, and enhance safety on-site. By working with professional estimators, contractors and project managers can avoid costly mistakes, optimize material usage, and ensure that their projects are built to last. Whether constructing a skyscraper, bridge, or residential building, investing in professional rebar estimating services is a smart decision for any construction project.

[reachartwork]

"The Goon Economy: Why People Choose to Work for Supervillains"

Leslie Lester, for Psychology Today, October 2022

When asked why anyone would choose to work for supervillains, most people imagine costumed henchmen cackling maniacally while fighting Spider-Man. The reality is far more mundane - and more economically fascinating.

"It's just a job," says Former Employee X under the condition of anonymity, who worked security for a major East Coast villain organization. "Better benefits than Netsphere, better pay than private security, and yeah, higher risk, but you've got clear procedures for hero encounters. Most guys never even see a cape."

The numbers support this pragmatic view. While exact figures are difficult to obtain, conservative estimates suggest supervillain organizations employ hundreds of thousands of workers across the U.S., from direct muscle to legitimate business employees. The total economic impact likely rivals major corporations.

But why choose such high-risk employment? Dr. Sarah Chen, economist at MIT, suggests three key factors:

Economic Pressure: "In cities with active supervillain presence, these organizations often control major employment sectors - construction, shipping, waste management. Sometimes working for them isn't really a choice."

Risk vs. Reward: The average "muscle" for a villain organization makes 1.5-2 times standard security work, with comprehensive health coverage and legal protection. "When you're living paycheck to paycheck," Chen notes, "guaranteed medical care becomes very attractive."

Systemic Integration: Many workers start through legitimate businesses, becoming gradually involved in illegal activities. "It's rarely a conscious choice to 'become a minion,'" Chen explains. "It's more like finding out your company has mob ties - but you've got a mortgage and kids in school."

The psychology is equally complex. Dr. James Morrison of Harvard explains: "These organizations offer what many legitimate employers don't: clear advancement paths, protection from both heroes and rivals, and often a sense of belonging. They're filling gaps in our social safety net."

The rise of powers-based crime has only increased this trend. "Supervillain organizations have better protocols for superhuman encounters than most legitimate businesses," Morrison notes. "If you're working in a city where hero-villain battles are common, that matters."

[leviathan-supersystem]

BEIJING — China’s struggling real estate developers won’t be getting a major bailout, Chinese authorities have indicated, warning that those who “harm the interests of the masses” will be punished.

“For real estate companies that are seriously insolvent and have lost the ability to operate, those that must go bankrupt should go bankrupt, or be restructured, in accordance with the law and market principles,” Ni Hong, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said at a press conference Saturday.

“Those who commit acts that harm the interests of the masses will be resolutely investigated and punished in accordance with the law,” he said. “They will be made to pay the due price.”

That’s according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks published in an official transcript of the press conference, held alongside China’s annual parliamentary meetings.

Ni’s comments come as major real estate developers from Evergrande to Country Garden have defaulted on their debt, while plunging new home sales have put future business into question.

In 2020, Beijing cracked down on developers’ high reliance on debt for growth in an attempt to clamp down on property market speculation. But many developers soon ran out of money to finish building apartments, which are typically sold to homebuyers in China ahead of completion. Some buyers stopped paying their mortgages in a boycott.

Authorities have since announced measures to provide some developers with financing. But the national stance on reducing the role of real estate in the economy hasn’t changed.

This year’s annual government gathering has emphasized the country’s focus on investing in and building up high-end manufacturing capabilities. In contrast, the leadership has not mentioned the massive real estate sector as much.

Real estate barely came up during a press conference focused on the economy last week, while Ni was speaking during a meeting that focused on “people’s livelihoods.”

Ni said authorities would promote housing sales and the development of affordable housing, while emphasizing the need to consider the longer term.

Near-term changes in the property sector have a significant impact on China’s overall economy.

Real estate was once about 25% of China’s GDP, when including related sectors such as construction. UBS analysts estimated late last year that property now accounts for about 22% of the economy.

Last week, Premier Li Qiang said in his government work report that in the year ahead, China would “move faster to foster a new development model for real estate.”

“We will scale up the building and supply of government-subsidized housing and improve the basic systems for commodity housing to meet people’s essential need for a home to live in and their different demands for better housing,” an English-language version of the report said.

next time you complain about how things are in America, consider that if you lived in some kind of scary communist country like China, you wouldn't even get to fund a bailout for the real estate company owners who ruined the economy like you can (whether you like it or not) in the good old US of A! 🇺🇲

[xpandprojects]

Xpand Projects specializes in construction estimating services for all types of building projects, from small renovations to large-scale developments.Visit https://xpandprojects.com.au/.

[scotianostra]

On February 21st 1842 ­Scotland’s first inter-city railway, the Edinburgh-Glasgow mainline, opened to ­regular traffic.

The building of a railway between the two cities was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1838 following several years of public discussion.

Construction work on the 46-mile line took almost four years. It was no easy task. To ensure a level route, numerous cuttings were dug, four viaducts were built and three tunnels were driven through hills and solid rock. Members of the public were invited to walk through the Queen Street tunnel on New Year’s Day 1842 to satisfy growing interest in the project. The line opened to regular services on 21st February that year, following a ceremonial opening of the station three days earlier, as I posted on Sunday.

The railway put an end to the slow and cumbersome stagecoaches that had linked Glasgow and Edinburgh for more than a century, and would eventually drive business away from the canal network as well.

The project’s engineers had wanted to build a bridge over the Forth and Clyde canal – but the canal’s owners refused. A tunnel under the waterway had to be constructed instead.

The Scotsman reported in February 1842 that “it rarely happens that a railway can be brought into the centre of a great city”, as it announced the opening of Queen Street station in Glasgow. But the original Edinburgh terminus at Haymarket was greeted with rather less enthusiasm. It was hoped that eventually the train line would stretch further into Edinburgh.

An extension to North Bridge was duly completed in 1846, and work on building the present Waverley station began in 1868.

The line was popular with passengers from the beginning. Initially, four services travelled in each direction from Monday to Saturday. Controversially, two services also ran on Sundays – provoking strong opposition from Sabbatarians. The number of trains throughout the week quickly increased.

Passengers could choose to alight at many more intermediate stations than today – with stops at Gogar, Ratho, Winchburgh, Linlithgow, Polmont, Falkirk, Castlecary, Croy, Kirkintilloch (later Lenzie) and Bishopbriggs. The Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway Company which built the line was absorbed by the North British Railway (NBR) in 1865. The NBR would in turn be absorbed by the London & North Eastern Railway in 1923.

There have been several high-profile train crashes on the route over the years. The most recent occurred on 30th July, 1984, when a rush hour commuter service out of Waverley struck a cow that had wandered on to the tracks near Polmont from a nearby field. The collision caused all six carriages to derail, killing 13 people and injuring 61 others.

The worst accident, in terms of loss of life, took place on 10th December, 1937, at Castlecary. During a snowstorm, the 5.30pm Waverley to Queen Street express collided with a late running local train from Dundee to Glasgow. The locomotive hit the rear of the standing local service at the now-closed Castlecary station at an estimated 70mph. Four carriages were completely destroyed by the collision, killing 35 passengers and injuring 179 more.

The £742m Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) is the biggest project on the route since it was built 174 years ago. It will eventually see all-electric trains operating on the line, with faster journey times and more seats for passengers. The average journey time by train between Glasgow and Edinburgh (Waverley) is now 1 hour and 14 minutes, with around 191 trains per day.

A new passenger hall at Haymarket station opened in 2014, while Queen Street was recently comprehensively rebuilt.

[najia-cooks]

[ID: Seven yoghurt balls on a plate drizzled with olive oil. The one in the center is plain; the others are covered in mint, toasted sesame seeds, ground sumac, za'tar, crushed red chili pepper, and nigella seeds. End ID]

لبنة نباتية / Labna nabatia (Vegan labna)

Labna (with diacritics: "لَبْنَة"; in Levantine pronunciation sometimes "لَبَنَة" "labanay") is a Levantine cow's, sheep's, or goat's milk yoghurt that has been strained to remove the whey and leave the curd, giving it a taste and texture in between those of a thick, tart sour cream and a soft cheese. The removal of whey, in addition to increasing the yoghurt's tanginess and pungency, makes it easier to preserve: it will keep in burlap or cheesecloth for some time without refrigeration, and may be preserved for even longer by rolling it into balls and submerging the balls in olive oil. Labna stored in this way is called "لبنة كُرَات" ("labna kurāt") or "لبنة طابات" ("labna ṭābāt"), "labna balls." Labna may be spread on a plate, topped with olive oil and herbs, and eaten as a dip for breakfast or an appetizer; or spread on kmaj bread alongside herbs, olives, and dates to make sandwiches.

The word "labna" comes from the Arabic root ل ب ن (l b n), which derives from a Proto-West-Semitic term meaning "white," and produces words relating to milk, yoghurt, nursing, and chewing. The related term "لَبَن" ("laban"; also transliterated "leban") refers to milk in Standard Arabic, but in Levantine Arabic is more likely to refer to yoghurt; a speaker may specify "لَبَن رَائِب‎" (laban rā'ib), "curdled milk," to avoid confusion.

Labna is a much-beloved food in Palestine, with some people asserting that no Palestinian home is without a jar. Making labna tabat is, for many, a necessary preparation for the winter season. However, by the mid-2010s, the continuation of Israel's blockade of the Gaza strip, as well as Israeli military violence, had severely weakened Gaza's dairy industry to the point where almost no labna was being produced. Most of the 11 dairy processors active in Gaza in 2017 (down from 15 in 2016) only produced white cheese—though Mustafa Eid's company Khalij had recently expanded production to other forms of dairy that could be made locally with limited equipment, such as labna, yoghurt, and buttermilk.

Dairy farmers and processors pushed for this kind of innovation and self-sufficiency against deep economic disadvantage. With large swathes of Gaza's arable land rendered unusable by Israeli border policing and land mines, about 90% of farmers were forced by scarce pasture land and low fodder production to feed their herds with increasingly expensive fodder imported from Israel—dairy farmers surveyed in 2017 spent an estimated 87% of their income on fodder, which had doubled in price since 2007. Cattle were thus fed with low quantities of, or low-quality, fodder, resulting in lower milk production and lower-quality milk.

Most dairy processors were also unable to access or afford the equipment necessary to maintain, upgrade, or diversify their factories. Since 2007, Israel has tightly restricted entry into Gaza of items which they consider to have a "dual use": i.e., a potential civilian and military function. This includes medical equipment, construction materials, and agricultural equipment and machinery, and impacts everything from laboratory equipment to ensure safe food supplies to packaging and labelling equipment. Of the dairy products that Gazan farmers and processors do manage to produce, Israel's control over their export can cause huge financial losses—as when Israel prohibited the export of Palestinian dairy and meat to East Jerusalem without warning in March of 2020, costing estimated annual losses of 300 million USD.

In addition to this kind of economic manipulation, direct military violence threatens Gaza's dairy industry. Mamoun Dalloul says that his factory was accused of holding rockets and subsequently bombed in 2008, 2010, 2012, and again in 2014, resulting in repeated moves and the loss of the capability to produce yellow cheese. The Israeli military partially or totally destroyed 10 dairy processing factories, and killed almost 2,000 cows, during its 2014 invasion of Gaza, resulting in an estimated 43 million USD of damage to the dairy sector alone. Damage to cow-breeding farms in 2014 reduced the number of dairy cows to 2,600, just over half their previous number. Damage to, or destruction of, wells, water reservoirs, water tanks, and the Gaza Power Plant's fuel tank exacerbated pre-existing problems with producing cattle feed and with the transportation, processing, and refrigeration of dairy products, leading to spoiled milk that had to be disposed of. Repeated offensives made dairy processors reluctant to re-invest in equipment that could be destroyed at any time.

Israeli industry profits by making Gazan self-sufficiency untenable. Israeli goods entering Palestine are not subject to import taxes, and Israeli dairy companies are not dealing with the contaminated water, limited electricity, high costs of feed, out-of-date and expensive-to-repair equipment, and scarce land (some companies, such as Tnuva, purchase milk from farms on illegal settlements in the West Bank) with which Gazan producers must contend. The result is that the local market in Gaza is flooded with imports that are cheaper, more diverse, and of higher quality than anything that local producers can offer. Many consumers believe that Israeli products are safer to eat.

Nevertheless, Gazans continue building and rebuilding. Despite significant decreases in ice cream factories' production after the imposition of Israel's blockade in 2007, Abu Mohammad noted in 2015 that locally produced ice cream was cheaper and more varied than Israeli imports. In 2017, the amount of dairy sold in 74 shops in Gaza that was sourced locally, rather than from Israel, had increased from 10% to 60%. Ayadi Tayyiba, the region's first factory with an all-woman staff, opened in 2022; it produced cheese, yoghurt, and labna with sheep's milk from affiliated farms. However, demand for sheep's milk products has decreased in Gaza due to its higher production costs, leading the factory to supplement its supply with purchased cow's milk.

The current Israeli genocidal offensive on Gaza has caused damage of the same kind as—though to a greater extent than—previous shellings and invasions. Lack of ability to sell milk that had already been produced to factories, as well as lack of access to electricity, caused an estimated 35,000 liters of milk to spoil daily in October of 2023.

Support Palestinian resistance by calling Elbit System’s (Israel’s primary weapons manufacturer) landlord, donating to Palestine Legal's activist defense fund, and donating to Palestine Action’s bail fund.

Equipment:

A blender

A kettle or pot, to boil water

A cheesecloth or tea towel

Ingredients:

1 cup (130g) cashews (soaked, if your blender is not high-speed)

3/4 cup filtered or distilled water, boiled

1-3 vegetarian probiotic capsules (containing at least 10 billion cultures total)

A few pinches sea salt

More water, to boil

Arabic-language recipes for vegan labna use bulghur, almonds, or cashews as their base. This recipe uses cashew to achieve a smooth, creamy, non-crumbly texture, and a mild taste like that of cow's milk labna. You might try replacing half the cashews with blanched almonds for a flavor more similar to that of sheep's or goat's cheese.

Make sure your probiotic capsules contain no prebiotics, as they can interfere with the culture. The probiotic may be multi-strain, but should contain some of: Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidus, Lactobacillus acidophilus. The number of capsules you need will depend on how many cultures each capsule is guaranteed to contain.

Instead of probiotic capsules, you can use a speciality starter culture pack intended for use in culturing vegan dairy, many of which are available online. Note that starter cultures may be packaged with small amounts of powdered milk for the bacteria to feed on, and may not be truly vegan.

If you want a mustier, goat-ier taste to your labna, try replacing the water with rejuvelac made with wheat berries.

You can also start a culture by using any other product with active cultures, such as a spoonful of vegan cultured yoghurt. If you have a lot of cultured yoghurt, you can just skip to straining that directly (step 5) to make your labna—though you won't be able to control how tangy the labna is that way.

Instructions:

This recipe works by blending together cashews and water into a smooth, creamy spread, then culturing it into yoghurt, and then straining it (the way yoghurt is strained to make labna). It's possible that you could skip the straining step by adding more cashews, or less water, to the yoghurt to obtain a thicker texture, but I have not tested the recipe this way.

1. If your blender is not high-speed, you will need to soak your cashews to soften them. Soak in filtered or distilled water for 2-4 hours at room temperature, or overnight in the fridge. Rinse them off with just-boiled water.

2. Boil several cups of water and use the just-boiled water to rinse your blender, tamper, measuring cups, the bowl you will ferment your yoghurt in, and a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir. Your bowl and stirring implement should be in a non-reactive material such as wood, clay, glass, or silicone.

3. Make the yoghurt. Blend cashews with 3/4 cup just-boiled water for a couple of minutes until very smooth. Transfer to your bowl and allow to cool to about skin temperature (it should feel slightly warm if dabbed on the inside of your wrist). If the mixture is too hot, it may kill the bacteria.

4. Culture the yoghurt. Open the probiotic capsules and stir the powder into the cashew paste. Cover the bowl with a cheesecloth or tea towel. Ferment for 24 hours: on the countertop in summer, or in an oven with the light on in winter.

Taste the yoghurt with a clean implement (avoid double-dipping!). Continue fermenting for another 12-24 hours, depending on how tangy you want your labna to be. A skin forming on top of the yoghurt is no problem and can be mixed back in. Discard any yoghurt that grows mold of any kind.

5. Strain the yoghurt to make labna. Place a mesh strainer in a bowl, making sure there's enough room beneath the strainer for liquid to collect at the bottom of the bowl; line the strainer with cheesecloth or a tea towel, and scoop the cultured yoghurt in. Sprinkle salt over top of the yoghurt. Fold the towel or cheesecloth back over the yoghurt, and add a small weight, such as a ceramic plate or a can of beans, on top.

You can also tie the cheesecloth into a bag around a wooden spoon and place the wooden spoon across the rim of a pitcher or other tall container to collect the whey. The draining may occur less quickly without the weight, though.

Strain in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours, depending on the desired texture. I ended up draining about 2 Tbsp of whey.

6. If not making labna balls: Put in an airtight jar, and add just enough olive oil to cover the surface of the labna. Store in the fridge for up to two months.

7. To form balls (optional): Oil your hands to form the labna into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. They may still be quite soft.

Optionally sprinkle with, or roll in, dried mint, za'tar, sesame seeds, nigella seeds (القزحة), ground sumac, or crushed red chili pepper, as desired.

Optionally, for firmer balls, lightly cover with another layer of parchment paper and then a kitchen towel, and leave in the refrigerator to dry for about a day.

Place labna balls in a clean glass jar and add olive oil to cover. Retrieve labna from the jar with a clean implement. They will last in the fridge for about a year.