Skill Builder is the UK’s go-to resource for trades and self-builders and DIYers. We review products, produce how-to tutorial videos and bring expertise designed to help the building community become better skilled, safer and more productive. Our library of content has been viewed by the building community over 40 million times and is the perfect resource for researching products and …
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The Skill Builder team would like to thank all of our viewers for a great 2018 and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.
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One in ten home building projects fails to please homeowners, leaving many unhappy with building work, according to new research from the FMB.
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Nearly a quarter (24%) of people consider a lack of quality of build to be a major disadvantage of buying a new build home over an older property, according to a recent survey by BLP Insurance, a specialist residential warranty and commercial latent defects insurer. People living in the north of England (29%) were more likely to view a lack …
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Roger Bisby takes a look at Snickers brand new Workwear 6241 Stretch Trousers with Holster Pockets which are available from September 2018. Workwear goes street smart in these stretchy work trousers that feature slimmer legs for a clean, technical look. Stretch Cordura at the knees combined with a 4-way stretch at the back provides great flexibility and comfort. Features include: …
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A disgruntled builder has destroyed a £2.5 million row of newly built cottages in a dispute over pay. Neighbours are said to have seen the man laughing and taking photos while he began demolishing the buildings. According to the sun neighbours confronted the builder, concerned their homes would be next but the builder said he was only damaging properties on …
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A contractor, client and director have been convicted after conditions at a building site were found to be dangerous. Southwark Crown Court heard that inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited the construction site on Gladesmore Road, London on numerous occasions in 2015 while building work was taking place at the property. Inspectors found poor health and safety conditions …
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Almost 80% of builders are calling for more regulation in the construction industry to end the tyranny of cowboy builders, according to the FMB.
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More than half of small building firms say that rising material prices are squeezing their margins and the same percentage have had to pass these price increases onto consumers, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Small and medium-sized (SME) building firms were asked which materials are in shortest supply and have the longest wait …
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A building contractor has been sentenced following an incident in February 2015 in which a house in Brighton partially collapsed. Hove Crown Court heard how builder Glen Peters (trading as Brow Builders) undermined the structural integrity of the house by digging out the basement. He then failed to act on the advice of a structural engineer on how to remedy …
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Bricklayer and general builder Stephen Cheshire is, like many builders, often faced with the prospect of trying to hide a steel beam in the ceiling. The problem, as you will no doubt know, is not hiding the beam but how to safely prop the wall above the upstairs floor level so you leave the ceiling void clear to place the …
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In Part 5 of The Extension Series Roger and his team make preparations for the first floor. Roger talks through the key considerations at this stage including installing the lintels and exposing existing joists for bathroom pipework alterations Here’s a link to the Brickbrace video mentioned in this episode. Brickbrace is a system for supporting a wall when you’re going …
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This is the fourth part of our second building project series on Skill Builder where we look at cutting roof timbers.
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