Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

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 …

A survey of over 200 trainee roofers has suggested that fear of injury or death is the biggest concern for 43% of them. Of the 212 surveyed by Redland, 63 said that they were most worried about falling from height, 12 cited health and safety issues, 11 said injuries and five said they feared death. The budding roofers are all …

Roger Bisby weighs up the benefits of Dickies’ latest winter jacket. It might seem a little early to be thinking about winter and I for one keep my shorts on until October.  After that we are on the slippery slope into the cold and damp that has become the iconic image of this island, and what better for the cold …

Incomplete Scaffolding has led a roofing contractor to be sentenced for safety breaches after workers were left at risk of falling.

Insulation manufacturer Celotex, who supplied insulation to Grenfell Tower, has recalled five polyisocyanurate rigid foam board based product lines after one of the lines failed fire rating tests. In a statement the company, which is part of the Saint-Gobain group, said: “After careful consideration, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend supply of some of our 5000 product range …

A builder has been fined after carrying out unsafe gas work at a property in Hall Green.

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 …

Eclisse shares three tips to ensure a professional finish when installing pocket doors.  Tip One: Check the instructions. Does assembly involve cutting pocket verticals or horizontals to make the system fit? Does installation involve aligning separate components? Ideally, the track and pocket should assemble into single unit for insertion into the studwork. Is there a self-centering floor guide that automatically …

The UK construction sector’s efforts to improve the health and mental wellbeing of its workforce have been stepped up with the full roll out of the Mates in Mind initiative. Mates in Mind has led in the creation of a flexible and joined up approach that is tailored to the needs of individual construction companies as they seek to tackle …

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 …

A Hull based bakery has been fined following the death of a self-employed electrical contractor who died following a stepladder fall from height.

Following the launch of the Baxi 200 and 400 Combi and Heat ranges, the manufacturer is extending its offering to include a dedicated combi LPG option, to enable homes in off-grid areas to enjoy the benefits of a high efficiency boiler. The Baxi 400 Combi LPG has been developed from the ground up through consultation with installers, so that everything …

A construction company has been sentenced for safety breaches after a sub-contracted joiner suffered life-changing injuries. Lincoln Magistrates’ Court heard that construction company Mager Homes Ltd. had been contracted to complete a house build in Tetney, Grimsby. In December 2016, the worker was on the first floor level installing joists and flooring. Whilst laying a floorboard, he stepped back and …