August 31, 2022

4 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Lawyer

In the property purchasing process, there are more people involved than just the seller and buyer. Financial institutions, building inspectors, and realtors are generally the people who help finalize the property sale. However, a person who is often overlooked in the property purchasing process is the real estate lawyer. The

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Reducing carbon footprint when relocating a house

When you move house, you’re understandably concerned about how you can reduce the number of your belongings that end up in a landfill. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to do this when it comes to packing and moving your household items. You can work with leading moving companies

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It’s Never Too Late to Climb the Construction Ladder

So, you want to be a construction worker? It’s not as easy as it looks. Sure, anyone can swing a hammer or carry some lumber, but there’s more to it than that. If you’re thinking of making a career out of construction, you’ll need to know your way around a

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19 Plumbing Tools That Are Must-haves in Your Plumbing Kit

Have you recently decided to reduce some costs by learning to do things like plumbing yourself? Let’s be honest; calling the plumber for doing something you can do yourself can be somewhat of a loss. Things like unclogging the drains, sealing the pipes, or changing the fittings, are easier than

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

August 31, 2022

Bromford signs £100m contract with MMC developers to provide hundreds of factory-built homes

A leading housing association has signed a £100m+ contract to accelerate the number of low-carbon, factory-built homes it builds every year. Bromford has sealed a four-year contract with MMC developers ilke Homes Ltd and Hadley Group to provide hundreds of new homes across the West Midlands and West of England. The first homes to be delivered as part of the partnerships will be a 28-home zero carbon development in Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire delivered through Bromford’s in-house construction team and ilke Homes. The units are due to be installed in the spring of 2023 over an 8-week period. They will come equipped with air source heat pumps and solar panels that, when combined, will reduce operational emissions – such as those generated from utilities such as heating and electricity – by 100 percent. Plans for the scheme were approved by Cotswold District Council in February. High levels of energy-efficiency – achieved by increased air tightness and the use of low-carbon technologies – will translate into huge cost savings for Bromford’s customers, at a time when the annual energy price cap is predicted to be raised to more than £3,000 in October. Development and asset management innovation lead Mike Craggs said: “Providing affordable homes that are cheaper to run and heat is going to be increasingly important for our customers and these partnerships will allow us to make sure the homes that are provided of the highest, EPC-A standard. We’re thrilled to have signed these contracts with ilke Homes and Hadley Group to become our main providers of MMC homes for the years ahead, and are looking forward to work starting on our first development in Gloucestershire. “Utilising modern methods of construction is key to us delivering the number of affordable, energy efficient homes we are aiming to build during the next five years. Starting with 50 homes in the first year of the contract, we will increase this to up to 200 homes a year by 2025 and are looking forward to getting started on our first site later this year.” Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, said: “ilke Homes are increasingly becoming a partner of choice for housing associations looking to scale up the delivery of energy-efficient, affordable housing. Much like many councils and housing associations across the country, Bromford and Cotswold District Council understand the role MMC have to play in enhancing the build quality of homes and their ability to speed up construction programmes. We look forward to working closely with all delivery partners to bring this scheme forward.” Ben Towe, group managing director at Hadley Group said: “Hadley Group is delighted to be a Bromford Homes delivery partner for new modular home where better efficiency delivers greater affordability for everyone. The housing crisis is not only about more homes, but also about better performance of those homes so they cost less to heat, light, helping people out of fuel poverty.” Paul Nicoll, director of advanced methods of construction (AMC) added: “Bromford have taken the initiative by selecting Hadley HOME as a delivery partner and we are excited that together we can develop more homes faster than before by embracing modular. Bromford will achieve the highest EPC rating, benefiting both the environment through efficiency and reducing the cost of living for those living and working from home.” In 2021 Bromford was named one of Homes England’s strategic partners, securing £240m to develop new homes, 25% of which have to utilise modern methods of construction. Bromford is one of the biggest builders of affordable housing in the country, completing 1,224 homes in the past financial year. For the past two years it has been the biggest builder of social rent homes* and aims to develop more than 7,000 homes over the next five years.

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Prologis UK’s latest building at Hemel Hempstead is a BREEAM Outstanding record breaker

A brand new distribution centre developed and owned by Prologis UK has achieved the highest sustainability rating of any project in its category. Completed recently, the 233,860 sq. ft. building – known as DC3a – achieved a BREEAM rating of 88.8% (Outstanding). This is the highest rating recorded for a new building assessed under the BREEAM 2018 New Construction Manual (Industrial – Shell and Core). Completed last month, DC3a was built by Prologis UK in partnership with lead contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick. BREEAM has provided a holistic assessment of the development, based on categories focussing on innovation, health & wellbeing, energy, materials, waste, water, transportation, land use & ecology and pollution. The speculative development of DC3a, means that Prologis UK now has more than 770,000 sq. ft. of logistics space at Maylands Business Park. This brings the company’s total development footprint in Hemel Hempstead to more than 1.5m sq. ft. Martin Cooper, Vice President, development management at Prologis UK, said: “We are very proud of this record-breaking BREEAM rating, which underlines the care and commitment that we give to developing buildings that really are best in class and built for the long term. The property has attracted great market interest, not just due to its sustainability credentials, but also due to its excellent location to the east of Hemel Hempstead, close to Junction 8 of the M1, with access to London and the South East.” Stuart Deverill, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s building division, said: “It is extremely satisfying to know that the efforts made to construct this building in the most sustainable way possible have been recognised. This couldn’t have been achieved without Prologis UK’s sustainability vision, and the commitment of our construction partners right across the supply chain.”

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The future’s bright for Portsmouth as solar project hits major milestone

The installation of a ground-breaking solar and battery system at Portsmouth International Port has reached a major milestone. The scheme, managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team and installed by Custom Solar, has seen 2660 solar panels installed ready for the next stage of the project. The project began in February 2022 and incorporates roof-mounted solar panels across a number of buildings, a large battery and solar canopies. The project has broken new ground for the council and in the national context. It is the first UK port to have solar canopies, and will have a mega-watt sized battery installed as part of a renewable installation. The power produced by the 2,660 solar panels will contribute around 35% of the site’s power; a significant step in Portsmouth International Port’s ambition to be the UK’s first net zero carbon port. It’s all part of an integrated approach that will also help the port offer shore power for smaller ships, without having to take extra power from the local electricity grid. When completed, the 1.2 megawatt peak system, will be the largest solar and battery installation to date across the council’s portfolio of renewable generation systems. As well as generating carbon-free power, the solar canopies will provide shade for cars waiting to board ferries; allowing them to stay cooler for longer, without having to run their engines. The battery, with a capacity of 1.5 megawatt hours (enough to run a typical home for 4 months), will capture green power that would otherwise be exported from the site, which can be used then used at the port when needed. The new battery will work in tandem with a previously announced battery storage pilot, which will balance services to the national grid and storing power during lower pricing periods. When complete, it is estimated that in peak conditions that 98% of the electricity consumed by the port will come from the solar and battery, combined. Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Kimberly Barrett, said: “It is the council’s priority to support clean growth. This major milestone on this innovative project means that the project is on-track to begin generating clean energy later this year. When operational, it will reduce annual emissions by 239 tonnes at this busy site. “We’re committed to take positive action to tackle climate change, and this cut in emissions will boost our ambitions to to reduce carbon emissions across the city to net-zero by 2030”. Jerry Clarke, pilot and senior project manager at Portsmouth International Port added: “The port is owned by the people of Portsmouth, so we have a obligation to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment, whilst reaching the ambitions set out in our 20 year Masterplan. “Combined with other sustainability initiatives, it will help us achieve our ambition of reaching net-zero carbon by 2030, and becoming one of the UK’s first zero emission ports by 2050”. The work is the latest in a series of solar and battery projects being managed by the council’s in-house energy services team. The team procured Custom Solar after a competitive tender exercise through the council’s recently established PV and Storage framework. Gary Sucharewycz, CEO of Custom Solar, said: “We are incredibly proud of the progress that has been made on this groundbreaking project. It has been a perfect amalgamation of solar innovation and engineering ingenuity. “The project will certainly be a landmark moment for UK ports as Portsmouth International Port will be one of the first to install a solar carport canopy system. We are extremely excited to finalise and showcase the project in its entirety. “

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4 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Lawyer

In the property purchasing process, there are more people involved than just the seller and buyer. Financial institutions, building inspectors, and realtors are generally the people who help finalize the property sale. However, a person who is often overlooked in the property purchasing process is the real estate lawyer. The real estate lawyer plays a vital role in the successful conclusion of the property sale – even if your state doesn’t mandate their services. So, whether you’re going through the property purchasing process or you are a realtor advising your clients to get legal representation, you may need the services of Peter B Mason Real Estate Lawyer for four main reasons. 1. Protect Your Interests Hiring a real estate lawyer to facilitate the real estate transaction is the best way to ensure everything is above board and legal. Your real estate lawyer will examine the legal paperwork, act as an advisor for anything to do with the property, and serve as a mediator if there are disagreements between any of the parties involved in the property sale. Above all, your real estate lawyer will ensure that the real estate legal contracts serve your best interests and that you are protected. 2. Get Legal Advice If you have never gone through the process of buying or selling real estate, you probably won’t know what the process entails. Because legal real estate transactions and ownership can be confusing to the layman, you might have questions about how everything works, especially if you’re looking at modern million dollar beach front estates in a foreign country.  By hiring a qualified real estate lawyer, you’ll have someone on hand to answer any questions you may have about the process. You’ll also have someone to guide you through all the real estate purchasing or selling steps. A real estate lawyer will also be able to bring any legal issues to your attention to make sure everything is ethical and legal. 3. Avoid Expensive Mistakes Because there is a significant amount of money changing hands when you purchase a home, you may feel tempted to forgo hiring legal representation to avoid the costs involved. However, going through the real estate purchasing or selling process yourself may result in mistakes that can be extremely costly to rectify. A real estate lawyer will ensure that all the legal documents are in order and ready to be filed by the deadlines. If you try to get your documents ready yourself, you can easily become overwhelmed and miss deadlines. If you miss deadlines, you could incur extra expenses and fees that you may not have considered – or, even worse, the transaction could fall through completely. 4. Draft a Will When you become an official homeowner, you’ll need to ensure the continuity of your estate and asset. While you may not even consider the possibility of never making your mortgage payments or living in your new home, unfortunate accidents can and do happen. Your real estate lawyer will help you draft a will or set up a trust to ensure that your assets – including your new home – are distributed as you see fit. Your real estate lawyer will also ensure that the assets named in your will are handed over to your beneficiaries promptly should you pass away.

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Reducing carbon footprint when relocating a house

When you move house, you’re understandably concerned about how you can reduce the number of your belongings that end up in a landfill. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to do this when it comes to packing and moving your household items. You can work with leading moving companies near me at Moving Feedback and check their steps towards lesser carbon emissions and hire them to reduce carbon footprints. Keep reading to find out how to reduce your carbon footprint when relocating a house. Why is it important Reducing your carbon footprint is important for several reasons. For one, it’s good for the environment. Additionally, it can save you money on your energy bills, and it’s a great way to be more sustainable. Here are a few tips for reducing your carbon footprint when moving house – Move locally whenever possible. – Take short trips in a fuel-efficient vehicle instead of driving long distances in an SUV or truck. – Keep boxes closed tightly and shrink wrap plastic bags so that they can’t open while being transported by car or plane. – If you’re packing food in boxes, remember to pack frozen items like ice cream last so that they don’t melt before getting where they need to go! – Make sure all electronic devices are off and unplugged during transport. – Turn down the thermostat if you won’t be home while the place is being packed up. – Remember to recycle everything possible including cardboard, paper, cans, bottles, and plastics! It might seem tedious at first but over time it will become second nature. – Pack eco-friendly cleaning products and disposable plates, cups, and utensils to cut back on waste. – Rent moving equipment rather than using a big truck or van – this will make the trip easier as well as less expensive. Where should you start looking for alternative energy? If you’re looking for alternative energy sources, the best place to start is with your utility company. Many utilities offer green power programs that allow customers to support renewable energy sources. You can also look into installing solar panels or wind turbines. There are also several tax incentives and rebates available for homeowners who install renewable energy systems. For example, if you purchase an electric vehicle and use it as your primary mode of transportation, there are federal and state rebates on the purchase price. However, if you live in an apartment complex or rental house where there’s no room for installation or ownership of these items (or enough electricity), one way to reduce your carbon footprint is by investing in a low-carbon home service like HomeHero. What are your moving options? So, you might be worried about how to reduce carbon footprints on your own. Right? You can always work with green moving companies which are growing at a rapid rate due to aware customer demands. There are a few things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint when moving house: – See if you can downsize to a smaller home. This will require less energy to heat and cool, and you’ll likely have less stuff to move. – If you’re moving long-distance, try to consolidate your belongings into as few trips as possible. The more trips you make, the more emissions you’ll produce. – Ship your belongings instead of driving them. Are you ready for an alternative energy solution during relocation? When you’re planning a move, it’s important to consider your carbon footprint. One of the best ways to reduce your impact is to switch to an alternative energy solution, like solar power. Solar panels can help offset the emissions from your move, and they’ll also save you money on your energy bills in the long run. If you’re not ready for a complete switch, there are still plenty of ways to reduce your carbon footprint when moving house. Conclusion When you’re moving house, there are a few things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. First, try to move during the off-peak season. Second, pack lightly and use reusable packing materials. Third, hire a green moving company. And fourth, donate or recycle unwanted items. By following these tips, you can help make your move a little bit more eco-friendly.

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It’s Never Too Late to Climb the Construction Ladder

So, you want to be a construction worker? It’s not as easy as it looks. Sure, anyone can swing a hammer or carry some lumber, but there’s more to it than that. If you’re thinking of making a career out of construction, you’ll need to know your way around a job site. There are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider a career in construction. It can be rewarding work, both financially and emotionally. And with the right training and experience, you can advance quickly up the construction ladder. Experience If you’re just starting out in construction, the first thing you need to do is get some experience under your belt. The best way to do this is by working as an apprentice. An apprenticeship is a great way to learn the ropes and get paid while you’re doing it. There are many different types of apprenticeships available, so you should be able to find one that’s a good fit for you. Once you have some experience, you can start looking for entry-level jobs. These jobs will usually be in construction labour. You can expect to earn around $15 per hour when starting out in this field. With experience, you can move up to higher-paying positions such as project manager or site supervisor. It’s important to remember that experience is the key to success in the construction industry. The more experience you have, the better your chances of landing a good job and making a career out of construction. There are many different ways to get experience in the construction industry. The best way to get started is by finding an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is a great way to learn the ropes and get paid while you’re doing it. There are many different types of apprenticeships available, so you should be able to find one that’s a good fit for you. Skills In addition to experience, you’ll need to have the right skills if you want to be successful in construction. Some of the most important skills you’ll need include: Being able to read and understand blueprints is an essential skill for any construction worker. If you don’t have this skill, it’s important to learn it as soon as possible. Blueprints are the roadmap for any construction project, and being able to understand them is essential for your success in this field. Another important skill for construction workers is the ability to use power tools safely. Power tools are a necessary part of the construction process, but they can also be dangerous if used improperly. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you know how to use them safely before operating them on a job site. Strong problem-solving skills are another must-have for anyone working in construction. There will inevitably be problems that arise during any construction project, and it’s up to the construction workers to solve them. If you’re not good at solving problems, you’ll likely struggle in this field. Good communication skills are also essential for construction workers. Construction is a team sport, and being able to communicate effectively with your teammates is crucial for your success. If you’re not good at communicating with others, you’ll likely find yourself struggling to get along with your co-workers. These are just some of the skills that you’ll need to be successful in construction. If you don’t have all of these skills, don’t worry – they can be learned with time and practice. The important thing is that you’re willing to learn and grow as a construction worker. Training In addition to experience and skills, you’ll also need to have the right training if you want to be successful in construction. There are many different types of training programs available, so it’s important to find one that’s a good fit for you. One option is to find a construction trade school. These schools offer programs that will teach you the basics of construction. They usually last around two years, and upon completion, you’ll have the skills and knowledge you need to start working in the field. Make sure you get the most out of being a student and take advantage of student deals offered by companies. Like Student SIM deals, for example, will let you use the internet to its full potential, as you’ll need it to look up diagrams, details in the blueprint, and more. Another option is to find an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn while you’re getting paid. They usually last around four years, and upon completion, you’ll have the skills and experience you need to start working in the field. However, it’s important to note that apprenticeship programs are very competitive, so you’ll need to make sure you have the experience and skills required to be successful. The important thing is that you find a training program that’s right for you. Not all programs are created equal, so it’s important to do your research and find one that will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in construction. No matter what route you choose, remember that training is essential for your success in construction. Without the right training, you’ll likely struggle to find a job and make a career out of this field. Network In addition to experience, skills, and training, another important thing you’ll need if you want to be successful in construction is a strong network. Construction is a very competitive field, and having a strong network of contacts can give you a significant advantage. Some ways to build your network include: Attending industry events. Industry events are a great way to meet other construction workers and learn about the latest trends in the field. Attend as many events as you can, and make sure to introduce yourself to as many people as possible. You never know who you might meet and how they could help you in your career. Joining industry organizations. There are many different industry organizations for construction workers. These

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19 Plumbing Tools That Are Must-haves in Your Plumbing Kit

Have you recently decided to reduce some costs by learning to do things like plumbing yourself? Let’s be honest; calling the plumber for doing something you can do yourself can be somewhat of a loss. Things like unclogging the drains, sealing the pipes, or changing the fittings, are easier than you would think. Learning about the various tools you can use to do the simpler plumbing work can help you maintain your house efficiently without spending much money. Want to start somewhere? Consider investing in these plumbing tools that are must-haves in your plumbing kit. You may not need them frequently, but you’ll have them handy whenever you have a plumbing issue. Drain Cleaning Tools Although keeping drainage tools in the house may seem unnecessary initially, they can be really helpful. Investing in good quality drain cleaning tools will save you many costs later, especially when your pipes need immediate cleaning. Here are the drain cleaning tools that you must have. No matter how much you need to get these, you can save a lot of costs later on since you’ll have these handy. 1.  Drain Inspection Camera The first and most important thing you need in your drainage tool kit is a drain inspection camera or a borescope. You should be able to take it deep enough, and the picture should be clear for you to inspect where the blockage is. When choosing a sewer camera, you need to have criteria based on which you’ll select the tool. Choose wisely, as the best sewer camera will feature self-leveling for stable viewing as well as 120-degree views. This will help you locate the clog effectively so that you can dissolve it. 2.  Hand Auger Although this is more like a traditional version, hand augers are useful enough to break apart drain clogs that aren’t too difficult to clear. Plumbers use these circular hand-held devices to steer a cable down a drain with a hand crank and clean out the clogs. 3.  Plumber’s Snake A plumber’s snake, also known as a snake machine, is a motorized version that helps to break down and clean out very stubborn and deep drain clogs. These are flexible and have enough strength to move deep into the clog and break it down. 4.  Hydro Jet This high-speed water jet is very effective in blasting out light clogs in the sewer. It comes with a hose that’s designed to blast water at high pressure in the clogged line and break the clog. The dirt then comes out of another opening and is dispensed off. Wrenches There are quite a few types of wrenches to choose from. Of course, there are the basic ones, like the torque wrench and the faucet key, that almost every household has. There are other types of wrenches that you must have. Why do you need them? Investing in these can save you a lot of money in fixing plumbing fittings. 1.  Internal Pipe Wrench Does the name suggest anything? Although a bit less common, plumbers use the internal pipe wrench to remove rusted nuts, bolts, and other rusted internal parts in old pipes. This helps in changing the pipes systematically, or just cleaning out and replacing the internal parts, thus saving costs. 2.  Adjustable Wrench This is nothing extraordinary, just something every household should have in their toolbox. However, this is something very essential. Most of the fittings and screws in faucets and plumbing lines are hexagonal. An adjustable wrench has a hexagonal fit which helps fix these parts of the pipes using enough torque. The bigger the diameter of the wrench, the longer it will be, thus providing more torque for bigger fittings. 3.  Basin Wrench Unlike any traditional wrench, a basin wrench is a T-shaped wrench whose design will allow you to use them in very confined spaces. Due to the length of this tool, it’s effortless to turn and fasten or loosen the faucet parts under the sink. There are various sizes of basin wrenches, so you can choose whichever you think fits most of your sink fixtures. 4.  Pipe Wrench Pipe wrenches are the most common tools plumbers love keeping in hand. They essentially help in doing most plumbing fittings. Have you seen plumbers use one wrench to hold the pipe while rotating the fittings in the right direction? Yes, those tools. Investing in pipe wrenches can help you effectively cut off costs when you need to change pipes or fix something in the plumbing lines. Of course, you should learn to use it in conjunction properly. 5.  Faucet Key A faucet key, also known as a faucet wrench, isn’t a traditional wrench. It’s an X-shaped wrench that helps to loosen and tighten all types of faucets that would be hard to open otherwise. Depending on the fittings you aim to fix, you can find various sizes of faucet keys in the market. By measuring the diameters beforehand, you can choose the one that’ll fit the sillcocks and spigots in your home well. Other Plumbing Equipment You Should Have There are other types of equipment that you must add to your plumbing toolkit if you don’t have them already. These tools won’t only help in plumbing and drainage work but will also be helpful in other cases. Knowing how they work can also help you fix things quickly. Here’s a list of these items and what their functions are. 1.  PTFE Tape Polytetrafluoroethylene film tape, or PTFE tape, is mostly used to wrap around pipe threads. It seals the threads to each other securely. There are a few names for this tape- thread seal tape, Teflon tape, and plumber’s tape. There are a few types of this tape, white, yellow, red, green, copper, and silver, each serving its purpose separately. Use them for sealing hose ends, natural gas fittings, water heater pipes, welding lines, pipes for medical purposes, and other types of pipe fittings. 2.  Pipe Cutters Sometimes, you need to replace pipes, whether they’re old

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