The Capel Building Project series follows the renovation and extension of an unusual property designed by architect Michael Newberry in Surrey. Carpenter and Builder Robin Clevett is taking the first glass and steel house in the UK which was built in 1957 and extending it and refurbishing it, including the addition of a pool house, while paying homage to its …
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In this series of videos, building industry journalist and expert, Roger Bisby provides an insight into how to build an extension by taking viewers through the build of a side and rear extension on a semi-detached property in the South East of England. In the latest episode – Episode 9 – Roger tries out a rapid drying screeding product on …
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Spoiler alert – not all jobs go according to plan and this one had Roger on the ropes. Replacing a central heating pump is a simple enough DIY job, but years of plumbing experience come in very handy when the job gets too wet. The old broken pump goes out to be replaced by a brand new Grundfos UPS2.
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Some of the UK’s biggest building companies have signed up to take part in the country’s largest construction health & safety stand down. Wates, McLaren and Seddon are among new faces that will take part in Stop. Make a Change in 2018. The initiative was launched in 2017 to bring the industry together to improve health and safety performance. In …
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Georgina Bisby, Editor of skill-builder.uk, shares some top tips home owners should consider when having a new roof installed. Roofing shortcuts can lead to future problems such as leaking roofs, roof tiles falling off and poor insulation so it’s worth being armed with enough information to check your roofer is doing the job right. Also, not all roofers keep up …
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Snowy weather, rising costs and uncertainty relating to Brexit are to blame for the sharp drop in construction output, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the latest PMI data. The March 2018 PMI data revealed a fall from 51.4 in February to 47.0 in March, against the neutral reading of 50.0. March 2018’s figure was …
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Roger revisits a topic that Skill Builder covered many years ago. Skill Builder’s original how to render video has been one of the channel’s most popular videos but some professionals responded to say that they prefer alternative techniques. Roger Bisby considers some of the points raised in response to the first video and shares some details about how to render …
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In this fifth video from the Capel Build series Robin Clevett gives us a solo update vlog while Roger is away on holiday and we take a look at his approach to cladding. Robin is currently doing the exterior cladding for the summer house. Robin explains the importance of ventilation and airspace when assembling your tongue and groove cladding. Lots …
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The Extension project is now up to plate level so it’s time for Pythagoras’ theorem. “Plate level is the timber plate which is going to hold the roof structure including the roof joists, hips and roof rafters. “When you put this on you need to spend a lot of time getting this right because carpenters curse bricklayers like mad if …
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Ahead of the biggest DIY weekend of the year – the great Easter break – Skill Builder Editor, Georgina Bisby has been trying out some Poundland tools to see what you can get for your money. Georgina tries out a spirit level, hammer, screwdriver set, junior hacksaw and some tape measures to see which ones are a steal and which …
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A cross-party group of MPs has urged the Government to introduce a new ‘Dedicated Strategy for Small Housebuilders’ to reverse the decline in the number of new homes built by small builders, which has plummeted to just 2,500 today from 12,000 in 1998. Describing the new proposals, the MPs leading the report said: ‘We have many legitimate disagreements with each …
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Paul Gormley talks through the process of installing a rainwater harvesting system. A rainwater harvesting system collects water from a house’s roof to be used in the garden or for some domestic appliances. A rainwater harvesting system can be installed to save water, or planners may ask for a system to be installed to help with potential local flooding issues. …
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According to recovery figures from TRACKER, 82% of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) were stolen without the owner’s keys in 2017 – up by nearly 100% compared to 2016 (44%). The Ford Transit was again the most popular van stolen last year and are said to have accounted for over half of the LCV recoveries made by TRACKER. “Keyless entry technology …
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Llanharan Concrete Co. Limited has been fined after a worker was injured when his glove got entangled with the moving blade of a table saw. Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard how the employee of the company was cutting wood with a table saw when his glove got entangled, pulling his finger into contact with it. The injured worker was rushed to …
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As tool thefts from vans soar across the nation and there is increasing unrest among tradespeople whose livelihoods depend on their tools, Skill Builder returns to Sussex Installations to find out more about the specific issues associated with Ford Transits and find out what can be done about them. The problems associated with Ford Transits are well known with the …
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On International Women's Day Georgina Bisby shares her findings after trying out some safety boots from Dr Martens new women's range and discusses the problems women face finding good fitting PPE.
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Do you have one cold radiator that needs fixing? Would you like to try fixing it yourself? Roger Bisby troubleshoots that problem radiator. “If you have a radiator that isn’t getting hot there are a few things potentially happening. “Your central heating might be on and your other radiators are warm but you have one cold radiator. “If you feel …
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OSCHR has compiled a list of five signs to watch out for that may indicate that you're suffering from an asbestos-related disease.
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In Part 6 of The Extension series, which follows the build of a side and rear extension, we see the joists and steels slotted into position in preparation for the removal of a load bearing wall at the back of the house. The wall is being knocked out to extend the existing kitchen and create a kitchen/diner on the ground …
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This competition is now closed. Skill Builder has teamed up with Snickers Workwear to give away a set of premium workwear from the company’s brand new high vis range as modelled by Roger in this video. The prize package which is worth over £300 includes: Allroundwork Insulated high vis jacket RuffWork Heater Hat Flexi Work Wool ½ zip top Litework …
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