Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Staff from building chemicals manufacturer Bond It have helped to raise money for a worthy cause. A team drawn from across the manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and building chemicals recently took part in a five-a-side football tournament for Bond It’s chosen charity, Overgate Hospice. Located in Elland, West Yorkshire, close to Bond It’s head office and main manufacturing site, Overgate …

With over 10,000 female members to date, trade vetting service Checkatrade.com recognises the need to attract women into the industry. Craig Phillips, TV personality, DIY and construction expert and ambassador for Checkatrade said: “If you’re an aspiring female tradesperson, I really do recommend becoming a member of Checkatrade. Not only will your potential customer be able to find you by …

A self-employed contractor has been fined after an employee was fatally crushed when the trench he was working in collapsed on him.

A Hertfordshire based contractor has been found guilty for a series of safety failings across two separate sites. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received a complaint in March 2014 from a member of the public living close to the former Chesham Community Hospital site in Buckinghamshire, concerning activities taking place on the premises. When HSE inspectors arrived they found …

UKATA explains what to do when the best laid plans fail. In the light of several cases where asbestos has been incorrectly removed, or improperly disposed of, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is reminding everyone of best practice on how to handle asbestos and while all steps should be taken to avoid accidents, what needs to be done in …

The partial collapse of a school wall in Scotland has led to the closure of 17 other schools in Scotland while urgent checks are carried out.  Thankfully nobody was killed or injured in this incident but it does raise some interesting points; first about the design of these 10 year old buildings and also about the inspection during the build. A …

A plumber arranged for fraudulent gas safety checks at landlords’ properties leaving a gas boiler in a dangerous state, putting lives at risk.

New from DEWALT is the DCP580 Planer which the power tool manufacturer says is the world’s first 18V brushless, cordless planer. The new technology pairs an efficient brushless motor with a high capacity XR battery, working in tandem to provide maximum output and excellent runtime. DEWALT says the DCP580 has enough runtime for a typical day’s work from just one …

Labour’s Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning John Healey MP visited a housing development in Aston, Sheffield last month to highlight the importance of local house building companies being able to deliver more new homes. Mr Healey was visiting the Parklands View development in Aston, built by Sheffield-based firm W. Redmile & Sons. The visit was organised by the Federation …

If you're thinking of buying an 18v drill and you're wondering which 18v drill is best, Skill Builder has some useful resources that might help you to make a decision.

Roger Bisby tries out the Innofix clip from Redland, a useful clip that prevents storm damage by stopping roof tiles from being blown off when it’s windy. Despite the change in the standard BS 5534 Code of Practice for roof slating and tiling there are still a lot of cowboy roofers out there laying interlocking tiles without any fixings.  Nobody …

Roger Bisby share his findings on Knauf’s new airless spray plaster, the Knauf Airless Finish Light. Knauf has had an unenviable task in the UK; trying to take on British Gypsum with trowel applied traditional plasters was always going to be a challenge but they have certainly established themselves with boards and made good inroads with projection plastering. But projection …

The Saint-Gobain Weber External Wall Insulation (EWI) system has been selected by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) for a property renovation project of 37 Dorlonco system-built homes in the Rawmarsh area of the town. weber.therm XM EWI with weber.rend RB Render Brick finish has been installed on these hard to treat properties providing greatly improved thermal performance while at the …

Mira Showers – the UK manufacturer of showering products and accessories – has introduced a selection of contemporary colour choices to its popular Flight Safe range of anti-slip shower trays. Aimed at boutique and premium hotels, home-owners and  retail showrooms; Flight Safe now comes in Anthracite Grey, Titanium Grey and Taupe – as well as classic white. The colours are …

An unregistered gas fitter has been sentenced for illegally installing a gas boiler and undertaking landlord’s gas safety checks at a tenanted property. The boiler he installed was later classed as dangerous. Christian Winter, 35, trading as CJS Winter Plumbing & Heating Services of Ashburton, Devon installed the gas boiler at a property on Park Road, Kingskerswell. He then undertook …

Roger Bisby believes that impact drivers are way too powerful for most jobs and many  lack the intelligence to know when less is more. Has Milwaukee got the answer in its M18 FID-0? I never thought I would say this but impact drivers have become a little too good at their job. As each respective manufacturer seeks to leapfrog the competition …

A plumber in Essex has been sentenced to a community order after installing gas boilers while not being Gas Safe registered. Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how Martin Law, installed three gas boilers and associated pipework at three premises in Faraday Close, Braintree, and at Sycamore Grove Braintree. A Gas-Safe investigation into the work undertaken at the premises found defects in …