As we approach the next step in the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, including the reopening of indoor entertainment venues from 17 May, it’s an opportunity for many to reflect on the changes life has thrown at us since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Whilst almost every industry
Salford housing association Salix Homes is celebrating a double win in the prestigious Northern Housing Awards. Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, won the Best Resident Involvement Initiative and the Best Digital Transformation categories in the awards, which celebrate the achievements of the housing sector in the North.
Construction works on a new multi-million-pound neighbourhood centre have now completed at Blythe Valley Park (BVP) in Solihull, and the finished scheme was marked with a socially distanced handover ceremony on 16 April. The £7.5million project, which was led by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson on behalf of client IM
Scarborough Group International (SGI) has commenced works on site to deliver a significant exemplary office building at Thorpe Park Leeds. The 133,118 sq ft building, which is pre-let to leading credit management company, Lowell, sets a new benchmark in workplace design at the park and has a gross development value
Ayr Grammar Primary School pupils are enjoying their new school following the full refurbishment of a Grade B Listed building that was originally home to Ayr Academy. Designed by BDP’s Glasgow studio, the sensitive restoration of the historic building located on the edge of the 17th Century Citadel of Ayr offers
Armacell, a global leader in flexible foam for the equipment insulation market and a leading provider of engineered foams, has launched to the UK HVAC market a range of acoustic barriers offering one of the market’s most efficient ratio of transmission reduction and ultra-thin material thicknesses, providing comfort to occupants
BuzzStreets and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are launching a unique indoor way-finder app for hospitals to help patients and their families navigate their way around more easily, reduce staff time spent giving directions, help ensure patients arrive on time for appointments, reduce stress, and minimise traffic in
Accidents and damages can occur in any home, but some could prove to be both costly and risky, even as a tenant. Whilst the common misconception is that a landlord will pay for damages at rental properties, this is not necessarily the case. Whilst there was a 12% drop in
The start of a project will always have jitters and nerves of the expected outcome. The numerous what-ifs that bug your mind and plunge you into doubts will most likely put you on edge, thus creating uncomfortable and unsure moments. Challenges that arise from the business and operations will also
Betterment of employees in the construction sector, is one of the foremost concerns of every single business owner in this field. Over 81,000 people suffer from ill health and injuries a year, working in the construction sector. That means, some people have their careers cut short, some don’t want to
As we approach the next step in the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, including the reopening of indoor entertainment venues from 17 May, it’s an opportunity for many to reflect on the changes life has thrown at us since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Whilst almost every industry was affected when lockdown pressed pause on daily life, the UK construction industry was ground to a complete halt for nearly 2 months when workers were ordered to stay at home. Not only did 80% of construction businesses have to cancel or postpone projects (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme, 2020), but when construction eventually resumed in the spring, supply chain disruptions caused further issues, with many goods and services becoming unavailable. Trade and travel restrictions continued throughout 2020, as did increased operating costs, decreased demand and mandatory legislation that required employees to social distance and wear PPE on site. But with light finally at the end of the tunnel and reports showing a positive trajectory for the future of construction, attention turns to the aftermath and what is considered the new ‘normal’. Has the working landscape changed forever, and what positives can we take from these new ways of working? Employees from professional tool manufacturer Hilti share their thoughts. Michaela Hunter, Training Officer “When Covid hit, I had to work out how to deliver effective training to Hilti employees in a format that I never thought was possible. We were faced with the challenge of converting all of our material into a digital format, meaning we lost a key element of the training which was hands-on experience with the tools. It’s also more difficult to engage people digitally, so we had to get creative with activities and group work to encourage participation and help increase knowledge retention. We had a recruitment freeze in the UK too, so some of the team were redeployed to support other areas of the business, as there were less new employees to train. “Adapting to this new way of working has been a struggle for me and made me appreciate the small things in life. It’s been really tough not having that social interaction in the office, where we could have a chat over a coffee. Not to mention the technical issues that come with working digitally. On the flip side, it’s shown how people have the resilience to adapt to dramatic changes. It’s created opportunities which we can utilise even when the pandemic is over, although I’m really looking forward to running sessions in person again.” Charlie Ashworth, Implementation & Care Manager for Tool Services “My team is national based so before the pandemic, I would usually spend 2-3 nights a week away from home. Over the past year, that hasn’t been possible and I haven’t been able to join my colleagues in their cars during field rides. I’ve had to adapt the way I coach and support the team – remote field rides via Teams has meant I’m in more regular contact with each team member. “I’ve really enjoyed spending more time at home and hardly any nights in hotels, which has been great from a work-life balance perspective. Being able to join customer meetings via Teams has allowed me to be more productive too. But coaching and supporting is the best part of my role, so I’ve missed the human contact, as you don’t get the same experience with a Teams call compared to a full day in the field. “I don’t think work will ever return to normal. Teams meetings will continue and there’ll definitely be less travelling in my role, but I still intend to get back out in the field once or twice a week.” Emma Ross, Regional Head of Warehousing “Working in Logistics during the pandemic has hugely challenged us as a team, as we simply can’t do our job remotely. The biggest impact it had for me personally was the greater focus of putting people first. I have always looked to do this, but the stress and pressure the team were under gave greater emphasis to keeping them safe – both physically and mentally. Those people working in warehousing across the country are the hidden key workers. Being unable to work from home and having to go in everyday takes its toll. “We’ve really missed working alongside our office-based colleagues. Less formal communication is difficult to get right over Teams, so I’m certainly looking forward to meetings in person. We’re a very hands-on operation and like to physically show people the challenge, which isn’t as easy over a video call. “On a positive note, the small team left on site have become much stronger and closer. The worry that you might make a loved one sick isn’t easy to face every day, so we’ve been able to support each other. But, the realisation that we’ve helped keep businesses moving, and even contributed to the construction of the Nightingale hospitals, has made it a very rewarding year.” Chris Butters, Internal Sales Account Manager for Building Construction “The past year has been a weird experience. I definitely never thought I’d do an interview sat in my kitchen wearing a pair of shorts. I’ve started in a new team too, so it’s been interesting meeting new team members and doing training via Teams rather than getting hands-on with the tools. I’ve also missed the banter of being in the office, and just seeing people in general. “Despite the weirdness, I’ve loved being at home. I got to experience all of my son’s “firsts” like crawling, walking and talking – which is something I missed out on with my little girl. Luckily, I’m now back in the office twice a week, so it’s nice being able to see people and get support face to face.” Has COVID-19 forced your business to adopt new ways of working? And has jobsite productivity fallen as a result? Get back on track with Hilti’s free productivity guide > References:https://www.chas.co.uk/blog/covid-impact-on-construction-industry/
Salford housing association Salix Homes is celebrating a double win in the prestigious Northern Housing Awards. Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, won the Best Resident Involvement Initiative and the Best Digital Transformation categories in the awards, which celebrate the achievements of the housing sector in the North. The landlord scooped Best Resident Involvement Initiative in recognition of its pioneering Customer Committee, which was set up last year in a bid to give tenants a greater say in how its housing services are run. The Customer Committee has seen Salix Homes trailblazing a new approach to customer engagement, which was established ahead of national calls for greater transparency and for tenant’s voices to be better heard following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The Customer Committee is made up of 12 residents in a paid-for role, on a par with the organisation’s board members, who can commission a piece of scrutiny work into any area of the organisation. The judges commended Salix Homes for its commitment to putting tenants first. They said: “Salix Homes have reacted to the Grenfell disaster by putting tenants at the heart of what they do, ensuring they have a strong voice and are able to participate. A very well done to all of you.” Salix Homes was also recognised for its digital innovation, which has seen the landlord launch a ground-breaking digital repairs service incorporating innovative chatbot technology; and becoming the first housing provider in the UK to fully embrace the public cloud. Judges were also impressed with the MySalix customer portal – an online platform which enables residents to manage their tenancy at the touch of a button or tap of a phone. Jim Battle, Chair of the Board at Salix Homes, said: “We’re an organisation that prides itself on being progressive and forward-thinking, with a bold vision to rethink the way our housing services are provided in order to meet the demands of a modern and digital world. “Despite the challenges of the past year posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve pushed on with our plans to establish our Customer Committee and become a truly digital organisation, so to be recognised for our efforts for both these areas is a real honour and is testament to all the hard work of our colleagues and partners. “We’re particularly proud that our Customer Committee has been recognised for the impact it’s having on both our organisation and the wider social housing sector. Never has it been more important for social landlords to listen to the voices of tenants and we firmly believe our modern approach to customer engagement echoes the recommendations made in the Government’s Social Housing White Paper, calling for greater accountability, transparency and engagement with customers, so we’re very proud to be leading the way.” Salix Homes is no stranger to awards, having already been named Digital Landlord of the Year in the UK Housing Awards 2020, and coming in at number four in the recent Top 30 Digital Housing Providers roll of honour, organised by Housing Digital.
Construction works on a new multi-million-pound neighbourhood centre have now completed at Blythe Valley Park (BVP) in Solihull, and the finished scheme was marked with a socially distanced handover ceremony on 16 April. The £7.5million project, which was led by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson on behalf of client IM Properties, involved the construction of four mixed-use, high quality apartment buildings to act as a new hub for BVP. The 1.2million sq. ft. park employs 3,500 people and is occupied by more than 25 businesses, including a range of high-profile brands such as Gymshark, Lounge, Cooper Parry, Siemens and Zenith. Bloor Homes and Crest Nicholson are also on site building 750 new homes. BVP also features a number of amenities for people who live and work within the development, including Java Lounge Coffee House, Busy Bees Nursery & Pre-School and Virgin Active Gym, as well as 122 acres of surrounding parkland. The new neighbourhood centre helps to seamlessly blend the growing residential and commercial communities at the development – providing 48 one and two-bed apartments, 36 of which are being retained and let by IM Properties. The affordable housing element is being managed by Bromford Homes. Modern retail spaces make up two of the ground floor buildings, which are available for a convenience store and a further retail unit, creating additional jobs in the area. All four of the new apartment buildings provide level access to accommodate disabled members of the community and renewable green technology has been installed to provide power to apartments and communal areas. There is also cycle storage, a number of electric car charging points, and an onsite electric pool car for short journeys. Andy Sewards, managing director at G F Tomlinson said: “It has been a pleasure to work with IM Properties to create the new neighbourhood centre at Blythe Valley Park, which has delivered a significant number of new homes, complete with retail and food outlets, that will boost the local economy and employment. “Blythe Valley Park is a well-established business hub that offers great investment, employment and residential opportunities and we’re extremely pleased to have handed over this exciting project this spring, which has helped to further expand the park’s residential community. “As a Midlands-based contractor, we are always proud to work on schemes that deliver investment into the region and this is another significant residential project to add to our portfolio.” Richard Knight, technical director of IM Properties said: “We’re pleased to have worked in partnership with G F Tomlinson as a part of our trusted supply chain to create the new neighbourhood centre as part of our ambition to create one of the Midlands’ first truly mixed-use schemes. “The new neighbourhood centre helps to connect the commercial and residential phases and add to the buzz of community life at the heart of the scheme, with people living, working and enjoying leisure time alongside.” Chris Hill, project manager at Novus, said: “A fantastic project, delivered via a solid and collective team ethic, within extremely challenging circumstances; yet with programme and quality maintained. We are delighted to have been provided the opportunity to work with G F Tomlinson and the role of driving this scheme on behalf of our key client.” An 80-bed care facility is also under construction by Macc Care Group.
Scarborough Group International (SGI) has commenced works on site to deliver a significant exemplary office building at Thorpe Park Leeds. The 133,118 sq ft building, which is pre-let to leading credit management company, Lowell, sets a new benchmark in workplace design at the park and has a gross development value of £52 million. Representatives from both SGI and Lowell met on site to mark the official ground-breaking with GMI Construction, principal contractor for the project, just a matter of weeks after funding was secured for the project through OakNorth Bank. GMI expects to complete the building by September 2022, ready for the tenant to commence their CAT-B fit-out works before they relocate in 2023. The pre-let to Lowell was announced earlier this year and represents the largest single out of town office deal ever recorded in West Yorkshire and the biggest property transaction in the Northern Powerhouse region over the last twelve months. Lowell has agreed a 15-year lease to occupy the building and will relocate its UK headquarters from two sites at Leeds Valley Park. The building, which will extend over seven floors with two levels of underground podium parking and amenity below, marks the evolution in the design of out of town office space and is being constructed in line with the very latest human health and wellbeing standards. Its location and adjacent landscaped courtyard will create an anchor point for the next development plots that will be largely pedestrianised, providing easy access to The Springs retail and leisure park and new green park. Designed by award-winning architects, Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher, the building is to represent a new benchmark for future development at Thorpe Park Leeds, with an environmental performance target rating of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and principles set out in the WELL Standard to provide an exemplar environment for users. Kevin McCabe, Chairman at SGI, said: “We are pleased to be able to start on site so quickly after securing planning consent, funding and of course concluding the landmark letting with our new neighbours Lowell. The transaction is excellent news for the region and a huge vote of confidence in the existing & future environment at Thorpe Park as well an indicator that the office market remains strong, despite the pandemic. “We continue to engage with businesses seeking to locate at Thorpe Park Leeds, some of which are existing occupiers looking to expand, and we remain committed to our ambition to deliver further phases of office development to ensure that Thorpe Park maintains and advances its position within the Northern Powerhouse as the flagship location for business, employment and quality of life.” Lee Powell, Divisional Managing Director of GMI Construction Group, said: “We are delighted to start on site with our next significant project at Thorpe Park Leeds as we maintain our long-term and trusted partnership with SGI to deliver phase two. The scale of delivery is considerable and as principal contractor we are excited to be working closely with the entire delivery team to build the biggest single office building in Leeds out of town history. It really is exciting to see how Thorpe Park Leeds has excelled in recent years to become a thriving business and leisure destination and we are proud to be a part of it.” Lisa Wragg, Head of Office Services at Lowell said: “This building is the culmination of many months of tireless work by all involved to get it to this stage. We’re really excited to see the construction of our new home finally starting to take shape and look forward to celebrating the next milestone in due course.” In recognition of the hard work that has gone into getting the project to this stage, while simultaneously observing social distancing guidelines in place, SGI staged a virtual ground breaking ‘Pass the Poster’ challenge. The TikTok-style video, which can be viewed here, features a 30-strong team involved in the project, including contractors, engineers, architects, landscape architects, agents, planners, lenders and sustainable transport consultants alongside the SGI and Lowell teams sharing key messages about the HQ building and wider Thorpe Park Leeds development. Thorpe Park Leeds is an already well-established business location, strategically located with its own dedicated access at Junction 46 of the M1. More than 900,000 sq ft of office space is already built supporting over 5,500 jobs and The Springs retail and leisure park sits at the core of the mixed-use business community with a line-up of major high street brands including Next, M&S, ODEON Luxe, Pure Gym, Boots, H&M and TK Maxx along with a growing range of smaller, independent, niche retail and leisure businesses. Further development plans include the delivery of a 113-acre public park with sports and wellbeing facilities for the community of the Leeds City Region and beyond. The phase two development at Thorpe Park Leeds was enabled following a unique investment deal with Legal & General Capital in 2015. Since then a transformational 1.35 million sq ft mixed-use expansion has progressed bringing exceptional new business opportunities to the Leeds City Region. It has also enabled the delivery of the first section of the ‘East Leeds Orbital Route’ (ELOR), a key piece of transport infrastructure connecting north and east Leeds to Junction 46 of the M1. This road also unlocks land for the future construction of over 7,000 new homes on the East Leeds area. The Award-winning development has been chosen for the new railway station ‘East Leeds Parkway’ and associated Park and Ride, connecting directly to Leeds City Centre in less than eight minutes. This forms part of a £270 million infrastructure investment into Leeds by the Department of Transport.
Ayr Grammar Primary School pupils are enjoying their new school following the full refurbishment of a Grade B Listed building that was originally home to Ayr Academy. Designed by BDP’s Glasgow studio, the sensitive restoration of the historic building located on the edge of the 17th Century Citadel of Ayr offers a contemporary learning environment in an historic setting. Following full consultation with parents, pupils, staff, South Ayrshire Council, and the wider community, the new education hub has been created to offer a nursery, a primary school, a Community Arts Centre, and a new home for the Ayrshire Archives and Registry which houses the repositories for historical records and the Ayrshire fine art collection. Lindsey Mitchell, Architect Director at BDP, said: “This project is an exemplar of how the re-use of historic buildings is relevant to contemporary education. We are hopeful that this fantastic refurbishment will be the catalyst for further regeneration of this important historic area in the town of Ayr.” “This new education hub is a great example of how to bring the community together in one facility. The creation of a new public amenity that overlooks the river Ayr, and offers active frontage to South Harbour Street, provides the town with a real multi-generational offer that breathes new life into a fantastic historic building.” The full refurbishment was carried out following the move of Ayr Academy to the new BDP designed school at the Craigie Campus in Ayr in 2017.
Armacell, a global leader in flexible foam for the equipment insulation market and a leading provider of engineered foams, has launched to the UK HVAC market a range of acoustic barriers offering one of the market’s most efficient ratio of transmission reduction and ultra-thin material thicknesses, providing comfort to occupants while minimising the amount of space required. ArmaComfort Barrier achieves a sound transmission loss with a weighted sound reduction index Rw of 27 dB, with a wall thickness of just 2 mm, and Rw of 32 dB at 4mm; the human ear perceives a reduction of 10 dB as a halving of volume. The products have been developed for applications in new constructions and for sound attenuation measures on existing building elements and mechanical equipment. Based on a unique EVA/EPM blend, ArmaComfort Barrier products are easy to install, require little space and achieve excellent sound insulation properties over a wide frequency range. They are flexible, bendable and easy to apply via self-adhesive coating. They can be used on vertical or horizontal mechanical equipment and are free of halogen, phosphate, bitumen and lead. The Armacell products are also recyclable, rot-proof, durable and resistant to most chemicals. The premium product, ArmaComfort Barrier P, is available in thicknesses of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm. ArmaComfort Barrier B is offered in wall thicknesses of 2, 3 and 4 mm. To further optimise sound reduction, ArmaComfort Barrier can be combined with ArmaSound® or other absorptive acoustic insulation materials on technical equipment, enclosures or piping. “Noise has become one of the greatest environmental challenges of our times, and noises emanating from inside a building can greatly impair inhabitants’ quality of life,” said Tom Merton, Armacell UK’s technical specialist. “The consequences of deficits in acoustic insulation are usually only noticed when a building is occupied and then they are often very expensive to remedy. It is therefore essential that noise protection measures are consistently planned and properly carried out, both when constructing new buildings and when modernising existing ones. Effective sound protection increases both the living comfort and the value of a property. “There is a demand for sound insulation solutions that can also be retrofitted with the least possible loss of space, and ArmaComfort Barrier provides one of the best ratios on the market,” Tom Merton continued. ArmaComfort Barrier enhances Armacell’s ArmaComfort noise control insulation range, which also includes the ArmaComfort AB range for rainwater and wastewater drainage pipes. ArmaComfort AB products are widely used throughout the UK, including in a number of luxury residential and hospitality properties.
BuzzStreets and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are launching a unique indoor way-finder app for hospitals to help patients and their families navigate their way around more easily, reduce staff time spent giving directions, help ensure patients arrive on time for appointments, reduce stress, and minimise traffic in the corridors. Research has shown that 87% of patients ask for directions when they go to a hospital or other public health facility, and 30% of first-time visitors get lost (Source: Deloitte Digital). The new app is part of the CW Innovation programme – a joint initiative between Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and its charity CW+ – to ‘test and scale’ innovations and digital systems that improve patient care and experience. After a successful trial, the new system created by BuzzStreets, allows visitors to Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London to navigate their way from outside all the way to the specific location they need, whether that’s a bed on a ward, a consulting room, the café, or the pharmacy. The app includes Points of Interest such as offices, cafeterias and, uniquely, more information about the Trust’s collection of over 2,000 works of art and digital installations that transform the hospital environment for patients, families, volunteers and staff. The app uses a system of BLE Beacons, Wi-Fi signals, and the Earth’s magnetic field to pinpoint the person’s location, giving them real-time directions, both spoken and visual, to allow them to navigate through the hospital, both horizontally and vertically. When the person arrives at the hospital, they open the app and key in the location they want. The app then calculates a route from their current location to the point in the hospital they need. It shows a map of the hospital and their route is clearly marked. Just like traditional car sat-nav systems they then press ‘start’ and the app visually shows them where to head and audibly advises them. As they progress along the route the app constantly updates showing them where they are and giving them regular voice and visual updates to show them where and when to turn, go straight-on, or change floors. It will also let the person know when they have arrived at their destination. However, unlike car sat-nav the system is accurate to 1-2metres as the ‘sensors’ are within the hospital (not 12,000 miles away in space). “The pilot project has already shown that the app reduces frustration for staff and visitors alike. It helps reduce the anxiety of patients and visitors trying to find their way in the hospital, which previously required contact with multiple different staff. Overall, we’ve seen that the app helps save resources, improve patient outcomes, and enhances the entire hospital experience for patients and their families,” explains Vanessa Sloane, Deputy Chief Nurse at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The app also allows Personalised Navigation Services, for example allowing people with disabilities to receive navigation instructions that suit their needs. This may mean directing them to lifts rather than staircases, for example. “The BuzzStreets system brings outdoor navigation inside. And as one of London’s biggest and busiest hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has been the perfect pilot location. It’s a complex building with over 6000 visitors every day – all with different needs, at different times, with different end locations. We’ve developed the app to tackle the common problems relating to visitors getting lost and staff spending time giving directions to save the NHS both time and money,” says Joe Fernandez, CEO of BuzzStreets.
Accidents and damages can occur in any home, but some could prove to be both costly and risky, even as a tenant. Whilst the common misconception is that a landlord will pay for damages at rental properties, this is not necessarily the case. Whilst there was a 12% drop in the number of rental properties last year, rentals remain a popular home choice for many. While it is the landlord’s responsibility to maintain some aspects of the property, you could still end up with hefty bills that could leave you out of pocket. We’ve put together the top 5 costly damages that happen at home, and how you avoid any nasty surprises. What’s the financial and repair responsibility for the tenant’s damages? Whilst the landlord will be generally responsible for structural repairs of the property (as well as gas and electrical work), tenants still have a responsibility to make good any damage to the property under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act. So, what exactly does this mean? Any damage caused on your property, whether that be by you or family member, must be repaired and paid for by the tenant. Even if damage was unintentional, instances such as leaving the water on whilst away could leave you liable for damage. What are the costliest accidents that happen at home for tenants? Thankfully, many tenants and landlords never experience costly accidents during their tenancy. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 repairs in a rental property, and how you can prevent them. 1. Broken windows Whilst this type of damage is often accidental (such as kicking a football in the wrong direction!), it can be costly. With window replacements costing upwards of a few hundred pounds, it can soon put a dent in your bank balance. 2. Bad Usage of Electrical Appliance While it’s tempting to over-stuff plug sockets with appliances, improper usage of electrical goods can not only be dangerous, but it can also leave you out of pocket. Unplugging appliances when not in use and only using appliances for their stated purpose can help reduce the risk of both fires and bills. 3. Wear and Tear Whilst general wear and tear is expected with a rental property, the landlord may hold you liable for damage outside of this. Factors such as having pets (or throwing parties!) could put you at risk of a landing large, unexpected bill. 4. Furniture damage Whilst it is the landlord’s responsibility to provide furniture and white goods at 5-year intervals, responsibility for repairing damage to furniture lies with the tenant. So, it always pays to be careful! 5. Mold Mold develops in damp areas in the home and wreak havoc if left untreated. Mold removal by a professional can cost up to £1,000, so turning a blind eye to mold and mildew can be costly. Luckily, mold can easily be prevented by ventilating the property well. How to overcome and be protected against these damages? While most damage is almost certain to be the result of an accident, you could still find yourself in court. If you are found to be negligent, you could find yourself in deep water. One way to prepare for the unknown is to purchase renters insurance cover. This will protect you against any unexpected costs, fees or expenses as a result of a case being brought against you. You may never need it, but home insurance offers peace of mind for the ‘what if’ moments in life.
The start of a project will always have jitters and nerves of the expected outcome. The numerous what-ifs that bug your mind and plunge you into doubts will most likely put you on edge, thus creating uncomfortable and unsure moments. Challenges that arise from the business and operations will also not do you any favors since they will cast more doubts in your abilities. The emphasis on technical and business success in construction projects can often overwhelm you and stir confusion within your team. It would be best if you were persistent and steady in your plans to achieve your desired success. Balancing your business and technical departments can be challenging; you need to ensure a seamless understanding between the two departments. Construction, specifically, presents a difficult challenge as you need to have an able task force with up-to-date equipment giving brilliant results. It is due to the specialization of the experts, thus creating a vacuum in the management, which can make the project vulnerable. It would be best to acquire the relevant expertise, tools, equipment, and material to ensure your project is a success. Here are some of the tips you need to use to make your project a success: Have a Plan Before Starting Your Project The most significant construction works are typically contractual agreements. The bureaucratic procedure of tendering and getting these contracts can sometimes take a toll on you. You need to understand how best you can market your company for you to get the contract. It is about the services you can offer and the expected result. You need to ensure that you highlight your strengths to help you stand out among the many applications. You will need to submit a plan and budget for your construction works. These documents will depend on the type of machinery, equipment, and expertise you will need for the project. Consider every step of the project from designing, prototyping, constructing, and the finishes you will need for the whole project. Ensure you correctly estimate the prices to avoid giving substandard services or results. Remember, your plan is the foundation of your entire project. Therefore, you should spend quality time and present a mind-blowing result. Take into account what is in the market and try to make your product unique. If you are a new brand in the market, it may not be easy to break through. Even though patience in business can be frustrating, you need to trust the process. Be creative enough to make your brand name known in the market. Find yourself a mentor who will hold your hand while navigating through your journey. Ensure you network enough to create new opportunities for your business. Take up the contracts that may come your way to build your portfolio for greater rewards. You should use the period after tendering and before approval to finalise and ascertain the plans. Check on your documentation, both technical and legal, to ensure everything is in place for the project. Detail every process with its timings and expectations to ensure that your plan is clear and concise. It goes a long way in ensuring the project comes to completion, especially if there will be a change in the management during the project. Ensure You Stick to Your Plan Once you have a plan, you need to have measures to help you stick to your plan. Even though you might add a little tweak or change some of the elements to fit the recommendations by the client, you should maintain the basic framework of your plan. Having a flexible plan may also prove useful to your operations as it will be easier to incorporate any unexpected change. You also need to have competent and disciplined employees who will help you keep your plan’s framework. It will only be possible if you make appropriate and reasonable hires. Be keen on how you compose your team. Ensure they complement each other to create a formidable team that will uphold your plan’s purpose and values. Your team spirit is also important as it will affect the synergy in the team. Ensure you are quick to identify any vibes that may break the team spirit and cause distractions in your bid to achieve the goals. Be transparent and honest in your transactions for accountability purposes. Do not compromise on what you value most, like quality or transparency. Financial constraints or your efforts to maximise profits might cause you to alter your plans and, in turn, will affect your overall performance and quality. Monitor Your Project’s Progress The bulk of project success will depend on how you keep in touch with your plan. Have a leaderboard that will give you an accurate picture of your construction journey. Utilise various methods to check on your progress against your expected result frequently. Schedule periodic meetings and performance evaluations that will elaborate on how your team is performing. With intensive constructive works, it is sometimes difficult to have time to analyze the success of your project till its end. Regular check-ups will also help you identify any errors that you or your team may make if any. Most people will also involve auditors and experts to maintain adherence to the work and safety requirements. You must keep tabs on your operations to ensure every activity and personnel are within the company’s stipulated rules and regulations. It builds your company a good reputation for handling its operations professionally. Utilise different software and visual boards that will keep your team focused. Whether it is a checklist, healthy competition or achievement wins, a vision board, or an integrated software that keeps the team in check, ensure you keep your team energised, plan in motion, and your goals in place. Take Note and Audit Your Equipment and Tools Maintaining your tools and equipment condition in your construction area will influence your quality and financial budget. You need to take note of the tools and equipment you need for your construction project. Check out the prices
Betterment of employees in the construction sector, is one of the foremost concerns of every single business owner in this field. Over 81,000 people suffer from ill health and injuries a year, working in the construction sector. That means, some people have their careers cut short, some don’t want to be with aches and pains and so find other careers, and many will feel detached from their employer. The last area shall be our focus for the following recommendations. This is how you can better the lives and work culture for your employees. Injury healing Sooner or later, one of your employees is going to get hurt. Construction is just a hazard-rich environment and rather than leave the employee to rest and recuperate on his or her own, you can make some helpful recommendations. To relax their muscles and control stress, they could go to a massage therapist. Is this something you could offer an employee through a company policy? Offer some basic first aid tips in a leaflet. Many companies find that printing work injury leaflets with injury healing information helps their employees the most. The NHS and other health websites have some great information regarding workplace injuries. Better site habits When employees are on the site of a project, they should be given advice to change bad habits. This might be lifting things inappropriately, and thus endangering their spine. It might also be things like stopping a bad habit like smoking. Instead, an alternative that uses vape juice uk is a better alternative. For one thing they won’t be ingesting a very harmful substance and they will also make the site more attractive. Nobody wants the site to smell like a bar with employees puffing away. Equipment training One of the most beneficial things you can do as the boss or manager of a construction company, is to give your employees proper equipment training. If you are using new equipment or perhaps equipment that is not familiar to your employees, the right training can do a number of things. Firstly, employees will be energized to learn a brand new tool and find ways to get the most out of it in their daily tasks. Secondly, employees will feel safer, as proper care and time is taken to teach employees how to use something that could potentially pose a danger. Employees will also feel more connected to their job, and more than just people who are given their marching orders. Workmen being heard Construction is such a hazard-rich sector that every employee has to rely on the camaraderie of their colleagues to feel safe and cared for. So, as the boss or manager, allow your employees to voice their opinions on the tasks they are set. If they feel that the time schedule will make them rush the job and pose more danger to them, then hear them out, understand their concerns and react in a positive manner. Construction is a brilliant sector to work in, but it’s not without its challenges and dangers. These are just some of the things you could be doing to better employee health and job satisfaction, can you think of any more?
