General Building

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has called for a change to the confusing and outdated fire safety regulations and a clearer framework of responsibility for all those in the protection of buildings from fire. Responding to Independent Review on Building Regulations and Fire Safety, led by Dame Judith Hackitt, the ABI says action is required by the government to …

Should basement waterproofing design use a barrier method or a cavity drainage system or both? A series of continuing professional development (CPD) seminars from Safeguard Europe – the specialist in damp-proofing and waterproofing technology – has been designed to help answer that question and more. The seminars are grounded on the latest documents and standards, drawing on BS 8102: 2009 …

Michael Holmes, property expert and spokesperson for The Northern Homebuilding & Renovating Show (3-5 November 2017, HCC, Harrogate), offers some thoughts on the state of the UK housing market. “The cause of the housing crisis in the UK is simple enough for any GCSE economics student to understand: there are too many people chasing too few homes to either buy …

The rapid rise in popularity of artificial grass in the UK over the last few years has prompted artificial grass manufacturer, NeoGrass to open up applications for approved installers.

Hultafors new Hi-Vis Tapes are said to provide excellent value and come with an EC Class II measuring accuracy. The Hi-Vis Tapes are also stamped with the Fisco brand hallmarks of quality and reliability. With a tough ABS case that has a high-impact rubber overmould, these tapes combine hardwearing reliability with ease of use. There are 3 different models, available …

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says its supports Lib Dem Leader Vince Cable’s call on the Government to allow local councils to borrow to build. Responding to the Party Leader’s speech at the Liberal Democrats’ Party Conference, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Mr Cable is absolutely correct in saying the Government must be bold if it …

Bushboard will be at this years hotel design event SLEEP to showcase its Nuance bathroom wall panelling which offers an alternative to tiling. Bushboard, now part of the Wilsonart Group, and a leading producer of laminate worksurfaces is exhibiting at the London Design Centre at SLEEP. Jo Gilhooly, marketing director for Bushboard explained  “SLEEP has gathered pace over the last few …

A lack of available small sites and a lack of finance top the list of barriers to SME house builders increasing their delivery of new homes, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s House Builders’ Survey 2017, the only annual snapshot of SME house builders, include: Over half of small house …

The London Housing Strategy’s focus on bringing forward more small sites will help solve the housing crisis by opening up the market to SME house builders, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) London. Commenting on the draft London Housing Strategy, published on Wednesday, Barry Mortimer, Director of FMB London, said: “If we’re to build the number of new …

Although basements are a significant area of business opportunity for the construction industry, it is a complex and potentially fraught sector and – in the main – an area for the specialist. Yet Safeguard Europe – the UK specialist in damp-proofing and waterproofing technology – is helping to demystify and simplify understanding of this underground world with the publication of …

The ideal ‘forever home’ for the average British homeowner is a four-bedroom, detached house in the country, worth £458,000 – and just down the road from Mum, it has emerged. A detailed study of 2,000 UK homeowners, carried out by Origin, the British manufacturer of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors, residential doors and windows, also found that homeowners hanker after a …

A leading Midlands construction firm has unveiled record turnover, bucking the national trend which reported a 9% drop nationwide. Besblock, which has two factories in Telford producing award-winning concrete blocks, said turnover was up 65% year-on-year. It flies in the face of a national slump which was blamed for dragging down Q2 growth. Sales director Martin Fulwell said efficiencies in …

A third of small building firms say that soaring material prices are squeezing their margins with more than one-in-ten builders report making losses on their building projects as a consequence, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Construction SMEs have reported a range of material price increases since the depreciation of sterling following the EU …