Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “Properties are going under offer at an alarming pace at the moment and buyers continue to swarm the market despite the dwindling hopes of a stamp duty reprieve. There also remains a severe shortage of stock to meet this demand and so
With ever-increasing market demands for more robust and flexible façade systems, Kawneer, the leading manufacturer of architectural aluminium glazing systems has launched a new version of its successful AA®100 and AA®110 curtain wall products. In addition to a +/- 5mm building expansion joint for its SSG curtain wall variant and a higher weight capacity for its capped option, one of the key enhancements is a concealed vent option within the product to help
Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce the completion of the comprehensive refurbishment of a 74,600 sqft building to Grade A standard logistics, storage and distribution warehouses at Aberdeen One, a new urban logistics park in the Altens Industrial Estate on the south side of Aberdeen. Working closely
Willmott Dixon Interiors has furthered its track-record for transforming the interior of iconic London buildings, with the construction of new office accommodation at the Grade I-listed National Gallery. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has delivered additional space and state-of-the-art facilities in the east ground floor and part of the
The pandemic has given a golden opportunity for online businesses to grow in the hyper-competitive digital market. With more and more people relying on online shopping, companies are starting to focus more on their digital presence. It doesn’t mean you have to shut the doors of your brick-and-mortar store. However,
The removal of asbestos is a crucial aspect of waste management in construction sites, factories, and even homes. However, many risks are involved in asbestos containment and disposal, and any wrong move puts workers and the general public in danger. This article will go through the best practices for properly
Buying a condo, or any other home is very exciting for a first-time home buyer. While townhouses and single-family homes attract a lot of upkeep charges, owning a condo doesn’t. So this is a great way of enjoying homeownership without necessarily breaking the bank. The best part is, you get
Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “Properties are going under offer at an alarming pace at the moment and buyers continue to swarm the market despite the dwindling hopes of a stamp duty reprieve. There also remains a severe shortage of stock to meet this demand and so sellers are achieving a very good price for their property, often at, or in excess of the original asking price. While a reduction in buyer demand is expected towards the back end of this year, the scales will remain firmly tipped in favour of sellers due to the imbalance between supply and demand and so we should see a buoyant level of property price appreciation remain for the duration of the year.” Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “We’re currently seeing huge rates of house price growth not seen since some time before the last property market crash. There’s no end in sight where this current market performance is concerned, despite some having predicted a market slump on and off since the pandemic first started. It’s important to remember that while the market did show signs of slowing down as we approached the original stamp duty deadline, we’re now looking at a very different market altogether. People are returning to work and life is gradually returning to a greater sense of normality and so the stimulation of a stamp duty saving is no longer required in order to maintain market activity. London, in particular, is showing strong signs of a shift in momentum across both the rentals and sales market. This is being driven by a realisation that we can’t work from a secluded countryside bolthole forever and now that we are returning to the workplace, a lengthy commute on a stuffy train is no longer as manageable when it’s required five days a week instead of one or two.” Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “The stamp duty holiday isn’t the be-all and end-all where homeownership is concerned and it certainly isn’t the primary factor causing buyers to enter the market at mass. So its tapered expiry is unlikely to cause current levels of market activity to evaporate overnight. Once both the initial and extended deadlines have expired, the fires of buyer demand will continue to be stoked by the availability of 95% mortgage products and very low interest rates. Of course, there will be some period of natural market realignment after such a sustained period of manic activity, but we’re worlds away from seeing a property market crash.” Matthew Cooper, Founder & Managing Director of Yes Homebuyers, commented: “It’s crunch time for the UK market and we can expect to see a far less positive outlook from here on out where house price appreciation is concerned. For far too long, homebuyers have been borrowing beyond their means and offering above the odds in a desperate scramble to secure a stamp duty holiday saving. Now that this is starting to slip through their fingers we will see a reduction in transaction levels and the inevitable decline in property prices that will soon follow.”
With ever-increasing market demands for more robust and flexible façade systems, Kawneer, the leading manufacturer of architectural aluminium glazing systems has launched a new version of its successful AA®100 and AA®110 curtain wall products. In addition to a +/- 5mm building expansion joint for its SSG curtain wall variant and a higher weight capacity for its capped option, one of the key enhancements is a concealed vent option within the product to help produce a beautiful, finished aesthetic to a building’s façade. Designed specifically for the AA®100 and AA®110 systems in either capped or SSG variants, the concealed vent option utilises a structurally bonded glazed unit and slim aluminium profiles, allowing Kawneer curtain wall systems to be installed with no visible external framing. This provides designers, specifiers and architects with the flexibility and freedom to create a flush finish to the external facade, while satisfying ventilation requirements for optimised comfort. Contemporary building façade design also requires larger glass panes, with unobstructed views and increased natural light. The new enhancements result in the AA®110 being able to accommodate glazing up to a 50mm depth in the capped system and withstand a maximum weight capacity of 180kg. Available as a top hung vent or a parallel opening window, both types can be manually operated or motorised, using neatly concealed chain drives and integrated locking drives to achieve a seamless internal finish. The AA®110 concealed vent has undergone full CWCT Sequence B testing as part of a larger curtain wall assembly, with proven weather performance. Furthermore, the window has been RC2 security tested to EN 1627, which is the same classification as the existing AA®100 and AA®110 curtain wall systems. As with the AA®100 system, the AA®110 offers a range of construction methods, including zone-drainage and mullion-drainage. Also, advanced thermal break technologies provide superior thermal performance that meet and exceed building regulations. Kawneer’s Technical Director, Gary Ledger commented: “Together with our new +/- 5mm SSG expansion joint and increased weight capacity, the concealed vent option subsequently gives architects ultimate design freedom with our enhanced AA®110 curtain wall product by combining exceptional product performance with visual aesthetics and occupancy comfort.”
Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce the completion of the comprehensive refurbishment of a 74,600 sqft building to Grade A standard logistics, storage and distribution warehouses at Aberdeen One, a new urban logistics park in the Altens Industrial Estate on the south side of Aberdeen. Working closely with client Titan Investors, SGP reconfigured the existing building into two units of 28,000 sqft and 40,000 sqft (plus office provision), with the former being a shell only refurbishment and the latter pre-let to FedEx. Explains Marcus Madden-Smith, Partner at SGP: “Aberdeen One is a new area for logistics at the popular Altens Industrial Estate, historically well established in the oil and gas industry but equally able to diversify to meet the growing demand for logistics and distribution hubs in the area. We took the decision to reuse, repurpose and refurbish the existing structure as a sustainable alternative to demolishing it. We developed the size and layout of the units and surrounding service yard to meet the needs of the local market and our client has already disclosed the likelihood of future phases on site.” In addition to new internal walls to create the subdivision, the external envelop has been reclad with a neutral palette of grey and white cladding, creating a contemporary modern look. Additional level access doors have been added to both units. Unit 1 includes a new external office area, plus eight dock levellers, three of which are to accommodate the double deck trailers of European lorries. Concludes Marcus: “These new units at Aberdeen One are the latest in SGP’s continuing development of Scottish projects. Our knowledge of the technical aspects of the Scottish planning system and the positive working relationship with the Aberdeen City Council planners and warrant office made the process efficient and we look forward to working with them on future phases of the site.”
Willmott Dixon Interiors has furthered its track-record for transforming the interior of iconic London buildings, with the construction of new office accommodation at the Grade I-listed National Gallery. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has delivered additional space and state-of-the-art facilities in the east ground floor and part of the existing basement areas of the world-famous gallery on Trafalgar Square. The scheme, called the Accommodation Hub, has created a six-floor courtyard infill extension that will provide offices for over 250 members of staff who will be relocating from existing offices in the neighbouring St Vincent House and the Gallery’s Wilkins Building. The back of house works included the removal of partitions, subdivisions and lowered ceilings throughout the central ground floor area and the creation of a modern and flexible working environment with high ceilings. Two covered atria have been created in the office lightwell and Belvedere lightwells, and new floors have been inserted in the eight-storey office lightwell to provide new office space. The basement areas have also been overhauled to provide additional storage and meeting space and the original brickwork of the extended part of the building, designed by Edward M Barry, has been sympathetically restored. It is the latest project to be completed by Willmott Dixon Interiors at the National Gallery, following the contractor’s complete refurbishment of Gallery 32, which reopened to the public as ‘The Julia and Hans Rausing Room’ in July 2020. One of the largest and most visited rooms of the National Gallery, it displays 17th-century Italian paintings by artists including Caravaggio, Artemisia and Orazio Gentileschi, Guido Reni and Guercino. Graham Shaw, managing director of Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: ”It has been a real privilege to deliver further enhancements to the National Gallery. The creation of new and modern office accommodation will greatly benefit the gallery’s existing workforce, providing significantly upgraded facilities that will offer opportunities for flexible working and collaboration. We’re incredibly proud to have delivered this project following the successful full refurbishment of Gallery 32 last year. It further demonstrates our track-record for transforming historic buildings and improving visitor experiences for years to come.” Delivered by main contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors, the project team included architects, Purcell; structural engineer, The Morton Partnership; Andrew Reid & Partners as services engineer; Faithful+Gould as QS and commissioning manager; fire consultant, IFC; planning consultant, Montagu Evans; and acoustic consultant, Waterman Acoustics.
The pandemic has given a golden opportunity for online businesses to grow in the hyper-competitive digital market. With more and more people relying on online shopping, companies are starting to focus more on their digital presence. It doesn’t mean you have to shut the doors of your brick-and-mortar store. However, going digital is incredibly important to ensure that your business succeeds in the modern business landscape. Focus on Customer Retention Bringing new customers to your store is important for your business growth, but it’s much harder than retaining your old customers. Customers who did business with you during the downturn will most likely become your loyal customers. To retain your existing customers, you can give exciting promotional offers, such as free trial periods or exciting gifts. This may cost your business a few bucks, but it will build client’s trust in your brand and strengthen your relationship with your customers. For instance, Neil Patel made UberSuggest available for free after lockdown restrictions were lifted. While he did not receive many paid membership registrations, he did receive a wonderful response from grateful users. Most importantly, he saw large increase to traffic on his website. Go Completely Digital The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on people looking to move their business online. With travel and transport restrictions, huge numbers of businesses wanting to get their eCommerce store set up online. More and more retailers are investing in SEO, SEM, mobile application development, social media campaigns, and other digital marketing channels to grow their business. You’re probably already familiar with the digital marketing tools, but the global pandemic has taught us a range of new ways to grow your digital presence online. For example, language companies saw significant growth in their digital business as a large number of students in foreign locations applied for e-learning online. Similarly, food companies made everything digital by implementing tracking software apps, automating email communications, using digital invoices and accounting software tools. Promote Exciting Deals As companies are starting to reopen, the best way to keep more and more people coming in is by running the exceptional ad and promotional programs. Promotional programs will bring more new customers to your business while building engagement with your existing clients. This idea works wonders in just about any industry – be it a cleaning agency or a company offering baby changing unit services. Consider offer free and discounted offers as incentives to convince customers to buy your products or services. Magnetic marketing no longer works in this day and age. You can’t message every customer asking them to do business with you. If you want the best results, you need to run targeted campaigns to build customer engagement and bring your target audience to your business. Change Your Approach towards Your Audience The pandemic has affected every business as well as every individual in different ways. While some people suffered financial losses, others may have lost a family member or friend. The pandemic also changed people’s priorities and revolutionized the way they work. So how can you use this opportunity to your advantage? You can start by asking your customers how they are doing and how the pandemic has affected their life. What are their pain points? It’s important that you put effort to get to know your post-COVID-19 customers. The better your communication strategies, the stronger the bond you will share with your audience. Plus, your customers will feel safe doing business with you. Embrace Paid Advertising Tools SEO is great and it undoubtedly works wonders, but relying on SEO alone is not the best way to get results. Pay-per-click advertising is one of the fastest and most effective ways to bring your audience to your company’s landing page or your brick-and-mortar store. Additionally, it helps you reach out to a wider audience. However, paid advertising doesn’t mean you should put all your resources into all social channels. Select a few social media sites and run a paid ad campaign on these sites to extend your business’s reach. Find out where your audience is spending their time and then choose a platform you can use to connect with a wider audience. Focus on Content Content is King! Even if you are running advertising campaigns, it is important to provide content that offers value to your customers. Get ideas from your competitors’ social media to learn more about the type of content they share and if it’s reusable. The quality of your content is the most important thing! This brings new customers to your business while retaining existing clients. Many businesses went digital in the midst of the pandemic to maintain cash flow and continue serving their customers through the difficult times. Now that the restrictions are almost completely lifted, businesses are wondering how to maintain their digital presence while managing their physical or local presence. Follow the above tips to build your digital presence and grow your business in the online world.
The removal of asbestos is a crucial aspect of waste management in construction sites, factories, and even homes. However, many risks are involved in asbestos containment and disposal, and any wrong move puts workers and the general public in danger. This article will go through the best practices for properly containing and disposing of asbestos but first, let’s start with some basic education. What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a highly durable but dangerous mineral formed from six different natural fiber properties. These properties make asbestos nearly indestructible and a favorite material for construction, roofing, floor tiles, and other building materials. Asbestos is a highly durable but dangerous mineral formed from six different natural fiber properties. These properties make asbestos nearly indestructible and a favorite material for construction, roofing, floor tiles, and other building materials. However, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, have led to numerous lawsuits and asbestos claim payouts to compensate victims for the harm caused by this hazardous substance. If you believe you have been affected, it’s crucial to seek legal advice to understand your rights and potential compensation. While this mineral is famous for its resistance to heat, fire, and sound, it also causes health complications. If asbestos becomes airborne and is ingested or inhaled, it can cause deadly illnesses like cancer or lung disease. A 2018 report from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health states that asbestos exposure leads to an estimated 250,000 deaths worldwide every year. To curb the number of unnecessary deaths, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created strict regulations defining how asbestos-containing materials should be handled, including how to properly package and dispose of the materials. Companies that violate any of these rules or regulations will incur hefty fines and penalties. Best Asbestos Abatement Practices Asbestos is no joke! Adhering to these five best practices during the abatement process can help prevent potential health hazards and avoid hefty fines. 1. Consider Hiring a Professional Asbestos is a dangerous material and should only be handled by licensed asbestos abatement professionals. They can help assess the severity of a project and have the resources to take care of the issue in a timely and cost-effective manner. An abatement professional will also be up-to-date on all local and federal rules and regulations. 2. Prepare the Area by Following Safety Protocols Before remediation begins, the area must be prepped to prevent accidental exposure to workers or the general public. A job site can be prepped by sealing off the area with plastic, hanging caution signs around the perimeter, and turning off any ventilation systems in the building. 3. Wear the Appropriate Safety Protection Personal protective equipment (PPE) can help avoid harmful exposure to asbestos fibers. Masks, respirators, protective clothing, and gumboots are essential safety gear for anyone involved in the disposal of asbestos. 4. Properly Contain the Asbestos for Disposal As asbestos is removed from the site, it should be wetted to prevent it from blowing around. It should then be double bagged and sealed in an air-tight container. Alternatively, by utilizing an affordable industrial waste bag, it’s possible to capture the asbestos, reduce cleanout costs, and limit worker exposure. Specialty bags are even available that can capture all materials with virtually no dust release and can be sized to fit industrial roll-off waste containers for easy collection, transport, and disposal. These specialty flexible packaging options are also designed to meet OSHA, EPA regulations, and DOT regulations to ensure peace of mind. 5. Follow Any and All Decontamination Procedures People who work in asbestos-contaminated areas must remove their protective clothing and equipment in a designated decontamination enclosure. This helps contain any airborne particles that might be attached to any clothing or gear and will prevent it from escaping into the environment and exposing the general public. How To Dispose of Asbestos? Once the asbestos waste has been properly contained, it can be disposed of. Not all disposal facilities can take hazardous materials such as asbestos. Be sure to check which disposal sites have the appropriate license before trucking the waste all the way over to the facility. Many resources are available online to find suitable disposal facilities. It’s also possible to see if the facilities require certain packaging to be used during transport or disposal to mitigate environmental hazards en route to the landfill. In Conclusion Knowing how to eliminate asbestos-containing waste is an essential part of occupational safety, especially in construction sites. Using proper asbestos containment and disposal techniques as well as packaging designed to encapsulate airborne particles will reduce potential health hazards and hefty fines. Trey Castleberry works with PacTec, Inc. and its sister companies, the global leader in flexible waste packaging solutions for industrial and nuclear facilities. His team has a proven track record of helping waste generators and haulers streamline their business models, work more efficiently, ensure compliance, reduce budgets, and gain new business.
Buying a condo, or any other home is very exciting for a first-time home buyer. While townhouses and single-family homes attract a lot of upkeep charges, owning a condo doesn’t. So this is a great way of enjoying homeownership without necessarily breaking the bank. The best part is, you get to enjoy the shared amenities. However, before spending your hard-earned money on a new condo, it is important to take a few things into consideration. That said, below are a few tips for buying a condo in Canada. Decide the amenities you want Since you are going to live in the condo, it is important to decide the kind of amenities you want to ensure that you will be comfortable living in the new place. This is not just about the available amenities, it also boils down to the location and the budget of the condo. You want to select a place that is safe for you and likely close to your workplace. Also, even if some amenities like a pool are not a priority for you, don’t overlook them. This will go a long way to ensure that the condo sells faster should you plan to resell the property later. Inquire about special assessments The condo association might impose additional charges for financing a particular project, this is known as a special assessment. While these special assessments are usually on for a limited period of time, you can’t just ignore them because they affect your budget when on. Consider your lifestyle Living in a townhouse or single-family home might put you off, especially because of the high-maintenance needs. Some people don’t mind paying $5,000 for roof replacement or mowing the lawn but if these are things that you are not comfortable with, then a condo is a great option. Perhaps you don’t mind sharing floors, walls, or ceilings with neighbors, and you are comfortable with apartment living, go ahead and buy that condo! Work with an experienced realtor One of the best things to do when purchasing your new condo is working with an experienced realtor. Not just any realtor, but one with plenty of experience selling condos. You want to find someone with a good track record in condos to inform you about the developments with great resale values, condo developments in your area, and issues they may have, etc. Evaluate association fees and regulations In addition to your mortgage, you will also be required to pay association fees that will be used to pay for the property and amenities’ upkeep. Review and ask about those extra fees beforehand to avoid inconveniences in the future. Bottom lineBuying new property can be both exciting and terrifying. It is a life-changing decision and anyone would only want to do it right. If you are wondering where to begin, you will find plenty of real estate news at https://urban.condos/ to help you make the right decision. Before making your purchase, think about your housing needs as well as your financial situation as they play a very big role.
