Plumbers could be missing out on business due to poor online presence Published: 20 July, 2016 Yell, UK digital marketing provider, has discovered an overwhelming majority of plumbers (90%) have incorrect or inconsistent information online, including basic details such as a phone number or email. Yell analysed the online presence
MIPIM 2016: Manchester-based property company Nikal has secured funding for its major residential scheme Exchange Square, in Birmingham’s city centre. The developer announced the £100m funding deal at MIPIM for the proposed development which is aimed at the private rented sector (PRS). The deal follows on from Nikal submitting a
Home improvements are desirable but costly, says Gocompare.com Published: 05 April, 2016 New research reveals that 14% of homeowners are considering making improvements to their home. The survey, commissioned by Gocompare.com Money, found that 5% of homeowners have decided to extend their current home rather than move house. Fitting a
Organisations in the construction and utilities sectors are among those that rely the most on paper, new research has found. A survey of 1,000 workers, conducted by WorkMobile, found that employees working in the education sector rely the most on paper (80%), followed by the finance sector (68%), and the construction
Latest figures released by the National Custom & Self Build Association reveal that 33,000 people have already signed up to the Right to Build register since October 2017, which means that at least half of the demand for serviced plots will have to be authorised by October 2019. To support
The largest construction materials trader in the UK has acquired one of London’s most successful and diverse companies serving the construction, quarrying and waste sectors. S Walsh & Sons Ltd – which partners with the major infrastructure firms for the removal, haulage, handling and recycling of construction and waste materials – has been acquired
Returning for 2018, the South West Construction Summit will bring together the regional construction industry and its supply chain to explore opportunities, major projects, client commitments and procurement best practice. The event will guide and help the South West Built Environment sector to define their route map for grasping the
Andy Swift, national sales manager for window and door foam sealant company ISO-CHEMIE considers the trade-off between airtightness and ventilation in sealing products. The legal requirement to consider airtightness in building design has been around for more than 10 years (2006) and falls within the orbit of UK Building Regulations.
Plumbers could be missing out on business due to poor online presence Published: 20 July, 2016 Yell, UK digital marketing provider, has discovered an overwhelming majority of plumbers (90%) have incorrect or inconsistent information online, including basic details such as a phone number or email. Yell analysed the online presence of 4,962 plumbers in the UK across sites including Bing, Facebook and My Local Services UK, and also asked customers nationwide about their online habits and expectations. The results showed some basic but common errors in small businesses’ approach to reaching potential online customers, such as having different telephone numbers listed on different sites. Feedback showed 89% of customers say they will try another company if the details listed online for a particular business are incorrect, suggesting many small businesses, including plumbers, are missing out on a lot of potential custom. Key facts: 51% of customers said when they were looking for a new service, the most important source of information was a website 54% of people rely on positive online reviews when deciding on a new local business or service “If a company’s information online is wrong, it’s arguably worse than not being online at all,” said Mark Clisby, Yell’s marketing director. “Not only is the company effectively invisible to customers, it can also seem careless or even untrustworthy. This often happens because companies don’t always know all the listings sites where they appear, or when they move they forget to update their information. It’s easily done, but can be incredibly damaging for business.” “A lot of small businesses tell me they get all their business from word of mouth and don’t need to be online. However, they’re ignoring the fact that word of mouth has moved online, with more than half of all customers choosing a local business based on online reviews. That’s a lot of work to be missing out on.” To support small businesses, Yell has launched Connect, a service recognising the importance of connections, word of mouth recommendations and referrals. It helps business owners make their details visible online and get in front of the people looking for local products and services. Yell is offering small businesses in the UK the chance to try out Connect by completing a free scan of their business online. By entering the business name and address, Connect is able to identify how visible a business is online and, most importantly, report on how accurate the information is. Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Andrey_Popov Source link
MIPIM 2016: Manchester-based property company Nikal has secured funding for its major residential scheme Exchange Square, in Birmingham’s city centre. The developer announced the £100m funding deal at MIPIM for the proposed development which is aimed at the private rented sector (PRS). The deal follows on from Nikal submitting a reserved matters planning application for the scheme last month. Subject to consent, work is set to start on site this summer to build 603 new city centre flats in a trio of buildings, eight, 15 and 26 storeys high. Alongside the flats, the application also makes provision for 187 car parking spaces and 27,500 sq ft of ground-floor shops, a 5,850 sq ft members’ club-style hub that will contain services for residents, including a concierge and access to a private lounge that will open onto a landscaped rooftop garden covering more than 20,000 sq ft. The Stephenson Studio-designed development will sit close to the proposed HS2 terminus, known as Birmingham Curzon station, and between the city’s central business district and Eastside City Park. Nikal aims to attract a wide range of professionals to the development underpinned by the city’s growing financial services sector. Completion of the final block will be before the end of 2019. An application for a second phase of development, including an additional building – likely to be a 32-storey tower designed by Ian Simpson Architects – and a new public square, will follow shortly. Nikal secured an amendment to its original planning application – for up to 600,000 sq ft of grade-A offices, shops and a further space earmarked for a 200-bedroom hotel or residential element – in 2014, enabling it to deliver up to 1,000 new homes. Knight Frank and Savills are joint sales agents on the scheme. To send feedback, email lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com or tweet @EGLisaP or @estatesgazette Click here for all the news, views and analysis from MIPIM 2016 Source link
Home improvements are desirable but costly, says Gocompare.com Published: 05 April, 2016 New research reveals that 14% of homeowners are considering making improvements to their home. The survey, commissioned by Gocompare.com Money, found that 5% of homeowners have decided to extend their current home rather than move house. Fitting a new kitchen, building an extension, installing a new bathroom, and a garden makeover top homeowners’ renovation wish lists. Spokesperson for Gocompare.com Matt Sanders said: “Whether it’s to increase your living space to accommodate your growing family, or to reduce your household bills by improving your home’s energy efficiency, home improvements are a great way of making your home a nicer place to live and can add value to your property. But, while it can be cheaper to improve rather than move, major renovation projects can still run into tens of thousands of pounds. So, unless they have built-up substantial savings, most homeowners will need to consider either taking out a loan or remortgaging their home to fund their projects. For less costly projects, a 0% credit card or an agreed bank overdraft may also be worth considering.” If you need to raise a large secured loan to fund your home improvement project then you may want to consider remortgaging your home. Remortgaging enables you to release equity from your home and can be a good option if your project will add to the value of your property – for example, if you’re thinking of building an extension. Mr Sanders continued: “If you need to borrow money to fund your renovation plans, it’s essential to do your homework and weigh up the pros and cons of each option against your personal circumstances. This will help you to properly understand the full costs of borrowing and whether you can afford it. Source link
Organisations in the construction and utilities sectors are among those that rely the most on paper, new research has found. A survey of 1,000 workers, conducted by WorkMobile, found that employees working in the education sector rely the most on paper (80%), followed by the finance sector (68%), and the construction and utilities industries (67%). A third of businesses in the education sector (34%) and construction and utilities (33%) have taken no steps to even reduce their usage. But, the finance industry is trying to become less reliant on paper, with 77% of companies implementing paper-saving processes. Surprisingly, the legal sector, which is often perceived as traditional in its processes, is ahead of other sectors, with four-fifths (80%) of employees saying their bosses have introduced paper-less working. The environment is paying the biggest price though, given that 50% of all waste generated from businesses is paper-based. Reassuringly, some employees are trying to cut down their personal paper usage to protect the environment. 30% only print out physical files when absolutely necessary, 7% rarely use the printer, and 3% operate fully paperless and never use paper. The research was carried out as part of WorkMobile’s ‘Death of the paper trail report’, which investigates the sectors that are still reliant on paper-based processes, and the pitfalls that businesses often encounter by working in this way. Colin Yates, chief support officer, said: “With so much technology at our fingertips, it’s surprising and disappointing to see that companies are still relying so heavily on paper-based processes like printing documents and posting mail, and are not introducing the most basic of steps to reduce the use of paper. “Over recent years, there has been a lot of focus on becoming more environmentally friendly as a society and reducing wastage to protect the planet. But despite attempts by government organisations and campaigners to raise awareness around the implications of using paper and cutting down trees, it’s clear that a large number of businesses are still not taking note. “Technology has advanced way beyond clunky fax machines and printing out hundreds of documents on a daily basis. And with more and more employees now working remotely using mobile devices, we shouldn’t be using so much paper. Companies must look to introduce paper-less policies to improve internal processes and make for greater efficiencies and accuracies. The future of their businesses could well depend on it.” For more information, please visit: http://www.workmobileforms.com/research-and-whitepapers/
Latest figures released by the National Custom & Self Build Association reveal that 33,000 people have already signed up to the Right to Build register since October 2017, which means that at least half of the demand for serviced plots will have to be authorised by October 2019. To support more people in their desire to build homes in the region and inspire remodelling projects, The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is returning to the NEC, Birmingham from 22-25 March 2018. Over four packed days, visitors will benefit from more than 500 exhibitors and 16 free daily seminars and masterclasses in the extended venue. The event is a best-in-class marketplace for all the latest products and services provided by specialist companies in industries ranging from kitchens; bathrooms; doors and windows; heating; energy efficiency; architecture; design; financial services; planning permission and much more. Aside from providing advice and guidance, real case studies will be at the show to discuss the dilemmas they faced during their self-build/renovation experience, helping visitors with similar problems. On site, visitors will be able to book bespoke consultations with celebrity experts who present their favourite TV property programmes. Charlie Luxton, sustainable architectural designer and presenter of Channel 4’s ‘Best Laid Plans’, will be on-hand to discuss homes of the future, new architectural ideas and eco living. Julia Kendell, interior design expert for BBC’s ‘DIY SOS The Build’ and ITV’s ’60 Minute Makeover’, will also be there to meet with visitors and talk about trendy interior adaptions and offer inspiration to anyone who wants to revamp their home. The Advice Centre, a drop-in hub for one-on-one impartial guidance, is open to people who are interested in running ideas past property specialists with years of experience in their field. This show area will see the return of the Ask the Builder zone, where visitors will be given tips on locating approved construction workers from members of the Federation of Master Builders. Visitors who are interested in free one-on-one appointments with chartered specialists from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) will want to stop by the Ask the Architect area, which will cover a wide array of topics such as extensions, new builds, internal alterations and much more. For objective tailored advice, the Ask the Expert zone will provide 15-minute consultations via interactive sessions with some of the UK’s leading property specialists. Visitors will be able to talk through their plans with Michael Holmes (director of content and product development for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Jason Orme (editorial director of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine; Mariana Pedroso (interior designer and architect); Hugo Tugman (chair and founder of Architect Your Home); Tim Pullen (eco-expert of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Bob Branscombe (building expert of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Allan Corfield (self-build expert of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine) and Sally Tagg (an expert on planning permission). Across the four days, Oakwrights Design Consultation and The Potton Lounge will be offering free consultations with members of their design teams. They will help visitors envisage, create and deliver their own tailored new home from scratch. Attendees who are interested in these consultations can pre-book an appointment on the event’s website. The show app is also available for download on Android and iPhone. The app will facilitate consumers visiting the venue, having the option of scheduling and sending alerts for key seminars and masterclasses, browsing through the list of specialists available at the Advice Centre, and accessing the latest offers and travel information. Standard tickets are £12 in advance or £18 on the door (children under 16 go free). For further information visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/national or call the ticket hotline on 0844 854 0503 (calls cost 7p per minute plus network extras).
The largest construction materials trader in the UK has acquired one of London’s most successful and diverse companies serving the construction, quarrying and waste sectors. S Walsh & Sons Ltd – which partners with the major infrastructure firms for the removal, haulage, handling and recycling of construction and waste materials – has been acquired by GRS Group which was among the highest climbers the Sunday Times top track 250 growth companies in 2017. The acquisition is a win-win, providing GRS with access to key strategic locations in the heart of the capital for the import and export of bulk materials, while giving Walsh access to GRS’s national network of customers, supply partners and facilities for construction waste. GRS Chief Executive Jon Fisher says Walsh is a great fit for GRS: “The two businesses have worked together on many projects and in recent years we’ve built a much closer working relationship. The Walsh team has a wealth of operational, commercial and technical expertise across a range of services to construction, waste and quarrying companies. “More important is that Walsh has a similar customer-led, can-do attitude as we have in GRS, so I’m confident we’ll work well together. Acquiring Walsh expands the GRS portfolio with a market-leading range of joined-up services and sustainable solutions for the construction industry. It’s another example of putting our strategy into action to achieve our vision.” Having worked on virtually all of the capital’s major infrastructure schemes, Walsh employs around 175 people across London and the South East. The acquisition takes the total number of GRS employees beyond 800. The two businesses will operate more than 50 sites and are expected to handle over 20 million tonnes of construction aggregate and other materials each year. Walsh will continue to operate as a standalone business, joining forces with GRS when it’s advantageous for customers to do so. Walsh directors Nick Walsh, Westley Pickup, Richard Walsh and Tim Wheeler will continue to operate the business day-to-day. Nick Walsh said of the deal: “This agreement is a win-win. We’re very proud of the reputation Walsh has built up over the years – that’s a testament to the brilliant team we have working for us. The decision to sell has not been taken lightly, but teaming up with a business as ambitious as GRS is a natural step to take the company on to the next stage in its development.” All questions about the deal should be made to news@grsroadstone.co.uk in the first instance.
Returning for 2018, the South West Construction Summit will bring together the regional construction industry and its supply chain to explore opportunities, major projects, client commitments and procurement best practice. The event will guide and help the South West Built Environment sector to define their route map for grasping the strategic opportunities in a lively and structured way, allowing for plenty of input from industry leaders and their suppliers coalescing around a range of key themes. The attendee profile at the South West Construction Summit will include highly influential professionals, creating a rare opportunity to connect with the hardest to reach decision makers within the South West built environment. The Summit will take the form of a combined Conference and Exhibition with significant opportunity for networking. Taking place on 22 June 2018 at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol – the South West Construction Summit’s exhibition is a day brimming with the latest products, innovations and developments across the South West. If you would like to be involved and have the opportunity to showcase your products and services to 300 decision makers in the industry, click here to view the opportunities available. Speakers at the event will be announced shortly on the website. Click here for more information. Taking place later that evening, The South West Built Environment Awards will reward the very best in the South West built environment. Each year, over 500 construction professionals gather at the prestigious award ceremony to celebrate the great, the good and the simply outstanding. With over 100 outstanding submissions received annually, the South West Built Environment Awards judges have an onerous job of selecting the winners. The Categories for the awards include: Digital Construction Project/ Initiative of the Year Health and Safety Award Innovation Award Client of the Year Image of Construction Integrational & Collaborative Working Award People Development Award Preservation & Rejuvenation Award Project of the Year – Building Projects Project of the Year – Civil Engineering SME of the Year Sustainability Award Value Award · Offsite Project of the Year For more information or to enter the categories visit the website here. The submission deadline to enter the awards is 16 March 2018.
Andy Swift, national sales manager for window and door foam sealant company ISO-CHEMIE considers the trade-off between airtightness and ventilation in sealing products. The legal requirement to consider airtightness in building design has been around for more than 10 years (2006) and falls within the orbit of UK Building Regulations. The measurement for calculation air loss out of, or ingress into, a building is measured in cubic metres (m3), per hour (h), per square metre of building envelope (m2) and at a differential pressure of 50 Pascals (Pa) between internal and external air pressure. The back stop maximum leakage is 10, equivalent to 10m3 (h.m2) at 50Pa. When designing to Passivhaus standards, this gets a little more complicated as they refer to airtightness as so many changes of air per hour. This relates more to the cubic capacity of the building or room, rather than the surface area of the envelope of the building. Notwithstanding this, to give some comparison it is generally agreed that Passivhaus is looking for a goal of 0.6m3 (h.m2) @50Pa, or less. Initially, not too much notice was given to the requirement to have a maximum air leakage, as in reality an air loss of 10m3 (h.m2) @50Pa could not really be called an airtight building, so the designs and detailing did not have to change radically to achieve it. However, building standards have progressed with the requirement to conserve more and more energy. Although the legal backstop of 10 has not changed the target air leakage for SAP, separate target values set by the house builders themselves have both significantly reduced. This helps to save heat loss out of the building, thus requiring less use of heating systems to maintain a comfortable temperature within the building, and in turn leading to greater energy efficiency and lowering CO2 emissions. This brings us to the question about air quality within the building. The more airtight we make our buildings the less fresh air we get into them through random unwanted gaps within the building fabric. Such problems can cause other issues for people with respiratory problems or young children, so proper ventilation is crucial. Build Tight, Vent Right ‘Build Tight, Vent Right’ has been a popular mantra relating to building design, particularly to those concerned with the Fabric First strategy, rather than just throwing ‘Eco Bling’ at a building design to achieve the relevant Standard Assessment Procedure credentials. It is often argued that if by reducing air loss you then need to build-in designed ventilation, then why bother in the first place? The answer, apart from the fact that legislation must be complied with, can be summed up in one word: control. It is the difference between controlled air loss, or ventilation, and uncontrolled air loss and draughts, which is the nub of the whole issue. How is ‘Build Tight, Vent Right’ achieved? With regards to ventilation, this generally falls into two major camps – natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation. If you achieve an air loss of 3m3 (h.m2) @50Pa or less, then it is a necessity to use mechanical ventilation. With an air loss of more than 3m3 (h.m2), it is generally considered that well designed natural ventilation is sufficient for most domestic dwellings. For unwanted air loss, it is generally acknowledged that the air loss between the junctions of windows and doors to walls, walls to floors and walls to ceilings accounts for more than 50% of the air loss in a house. Other common factors of air loss relate to fabric of the building itself and the various holes knocked through the fabric for an assortment of reasons such as drainage, heating flues, electrical cables etc. There are many products on the market claiming to be airtight seals. But the key is to use the correct products in the correct environment, and the extent to which they degrade over time. In addition, if one of the major requirements of airtightness is to reduce heat loss out of the building, then thermal resistance to these air leak sources surely needs to be considered as well. Certainly, being airtight will reduce or stop heat loss by convection, but what about heat loss by conduction – often referred to as non-repeating thermal bridges? The industry is starting to understand that airtightness is only half the story for the sealants. That is why the thermal insulation of joints between window, doors and walls is now included in the latest SAP calculations, where previously it had simply been ignored. When choosing a suitable airtight seal, the full requirements necessary to create a long-term solution must be considered. If it is simply to seal the edges or overlaps of an internal airtight membrane, then movement and thermal insulation are unlikely to be major factors to consider as any number of various stick on adhesive strip tapes are likely to be suitable. As there are technical differences between them, some specialist knowledge or advice is always helpful. A different story However, when sealing an actual construction joint between similar or different materials, it is a different story. An illustrative example is the movement between joints created by the junction of different construction materials, such as windows to walls or walls to roof etc. Even joints between the same materials can move, such as brick or concrete expansion joints. The initial drying out of the building must also be considered. In this respect, the differential movement between timber frame buildings and the external masonry facades is well researched and documented. But the different coefficient of expansion factors of different materials is less well known. When selecting an airtight seal for this type of application, consideration must be given to several factors to assess if it’s correct for the joint-type. This is based on: The need to accommodate movement Any need to allow for conduction heat loss, to maintain the thermal integrity of the abutting materials The suitability of the active adhesive system for both initial application and long-term use on
