Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Small construction firms enjoyed rising workloads in the first quarter of 2017, despite growing concerns over the cost of labour and materials, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 2017, which is the largest quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include: •    UK construction SME workloads …

Having recently teamed up with safety shoe manufacturer Aimont, Supertouch – the PPE and workwear solutions specialist – is now providing its customers in the construction and building industry with an extensive range of boots and shoes. The Aimont range features Light Plus toe cap technology. Being polymer based, this toecap is extremely lightweight, without compromising on protective strength, matching …

Boiler manufacturer Baxi is giving installers the inside track on how to fit the latest intelligent heating controls. Starting this month, the manufacturer will offer dedicated half-day Nest training courses across the UK. These will give electricians and heating engineers the opportunity to get under the skin of the Nest Learning Thermostat and learn how to install it in their …

When it comes to sealants there are very few on the market that can match CT1, says Roger Bisby. Not only is it strong and flexible it can also seal damp surfaces. I have tried many products that claim to do this but not all of them work. I first started using it when I was working on swimming pools …

A group of staff at Covers depots in Chichester, Gosport & Portsmouth have raised a total of £564 for Comic Relief after undertaking a range of activities.

An Essex company who are specialists in gas infrastructure have been fined after an employee suffered serious injury when a pipe fell into the trench he was working in and struck him. Maidstone Crown Court heard how an employee of Forefront Utilities Limited had entered a trench in Rochester, Kent to connect gas pipes. The new pipes were rested on …

A Birmingham electrician has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community after his trainee fell three and a half metres through a plasterboard ceiling. Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard that the apprentice electrician, Soheil Afrapour, spent 23 days in hospital after suffering head injuries. He was installing wiring above the false ceiling for Mr Soheil Alipour. A Health …

Kitchen and bathroom surface specialist, Maxtop Quartz, is on the hunt for the UK’s top (tea break) tosser with the launch of a new paper-toss style game, which it launched to its 7,000 plus social community on the 3rd April. Created with installers in mind and designed to be played on a smartphone, tablet or computer during a tea or …

Mira Showers has enhanced its range of digital showers with the introduction of Mira Mode: a high aesthetic, accessibly-priced mixer that offers users the added convenience of app control from smartphones. Mira Mode is said to respond to a growing consumer demand for technologically advanced home appliances that are also simple and intuitive to use; while meeting the needs of …

BAM Construction Limited and Shoreland Projects Limited have been fined after a man suffered multiple life changing injuries including severe burns to his neck. Winchester Crown Court heard how BAM Construction had been appointed by Network Rail to construct a new railway operating centre in Basingstoke. BAM later appointed Shoreland Projects Ltd as the groundworks contractor for this project. On …

Not strictly a trade product but given that we love any products that can make you more productive we had to share this for any builders with babies out there.  For many new parents, there is only one guaranteed solution to putting their baby down at the end of the day – a night-time drive that soothes, calms and eventually …

Research from Centurion, the above-the-neck PPE specialist, has  revealed that style is the fourth major trigger for customers changing a helmet or brand, after cost, comfort, and change in company policy requirements. Renowned for its head protection systems, the global company conducted a survey of 250 wearers across UK organisations to understand the opportunities and challenges faced by the changing …

Boiler manufacturer Baxi has joined Carbon Connect, an independent, cross-party forum that aims to inform and guide the transition to a low carbon future underpinned by sustainable energy. Together with its members and a variety of sector experts, Carbon Connect analyses the opportunities and challenges presented by moves to a low carbon future, and provides a platform for discussion between …

In this series of videos Skill Builder is taking a look at a selection of products from Real Deals for You, the consumer campaign which provides big brand tools at competitive prices through local independent retailers. Real Deals for You is a year-round campaign run by one of Europe’s leading hand and power tool distributors, Toolbank, and created to support …

Two companies have been fined after unsafe asbestos work was carried out on a property in Leatherhead, Surrey. Staines Magistrates’ Court heard how Kingsley Asbestos Services Limited (KAS), although a licensed asbestos removal contractor, was sub contracted by Bourne Valley Construction Services Limited (BVCS) to carry out the work. KAS removed some asbestos containing materials and agreed to carry out …

Roger Bisby says Atlas Bolts are opening up a whole new world of fixings. I have written several times on the dangers of using cheap fixings. All too often unbranded bargain screws and bolts lack adequate corrosion protection and are also made from inferior steel. Atlas Bolts have been producing fixings since 1896 and are used in many of America’s …