The latest analysis by specialist property lending experts, Octane Capital, shows that mortgage approval levels are forecast to decline by 11% annually come the end of 2023, although short-term positivity is expected with an uplift in activity during the second half of the year. Octane Capital analysed historic mortgage approval
Construction technology provider Causeway Technologies has revealed the key findings from its Causeway Insights 2023 survey of construction industry professionals. Evidence from the survey suggests digital transformation remains high on the agenda, with the vast majority of those surveyed reporting that their organisation is currently implementing initiatives to digitalise aspects
The Independent Builders Merchant Group, owner of 21 local brands of builders’ merchants across the South of England, is supporting an intrepid team for this year’s Pavestone Rally. The charity rally, that sets off in September, aims to raise money for four charities and awards competitors with points for various
Are your sash windows showing signs of rot? We have put together the essential tips for restoring sash windows and repairing rotten frames and sills effectively. Follow this expert advice from the leading sash window repair and replacement professionals, perfect for maintaining your windows’ timeless beauty. Rotten Frames and Sills
We’re all feeling the squeeze on our finances at the moment. Counting every penny, shopping around for the best deals and cutting back on anything that isn’t considered essential to make our money go further is now the norm for households up and down the country. Giving up days and
Whether it’s the early morning fishing escapades or the great water scenery in your evening walk, Idaho’s lake always has something to offer, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Along with its serene escape, you can explore the breathtaking waterfront Sandpoint Idaho homes for sale, especially if you are
The latest analysis by specialist property lending experts, Octane Capital, shows that mortgage approval levels are forecast to decline by 11% annually come the end of 2023, although short-term positivity is expected with an uplift in activity during the second half of the year. Octane Capital analysed historic mortgage approval data from the Bank of England, looking at how the market is currently performing, as well as where it may stand come the end of the year. The latest figures show that 54,662 mortgages approved in June of this year, not only marking a 7% increase on the previous month but the second consecutive month approvals have climbed. Current mortgage approvals levels also sit some 37% above the market low of 39,825 seen in January of this year. But even with recent positive growth considered, the number of mortgage approvals seen during the first six months of this year totalled just 291,578, 29% less than the 410,244 approvals seen during the first half of 2022. The good news is that this uplift in mortgage approval market activity is set to strengthen, with Octane Capital forecasting that monthly figures could hit 69,034 by December of this year. This would signal a return to the previous highs of last year before September’s mini budget rocked the boat and could see the total number of mortgage approvals seen during the second half of 2023 hit 377,927 – a 30% increase versus the first six months of the year. However, despite this late rally during the second half of the year, total annual mortgage approvals are estimated to sit at 669,550 come the end of the year. This would mark a 11% year on year decline, following 2022 which also saw total mortgage approval levels fall by 20% versus the previous year. CEO of Octane Capital, Jonathan Samuels, commented: “The upward trajectory of interest rates and the resulting reduction in buyer activity are expected to see total mortgage approval levels dip for a second consecutive year in 2023. That said, it would seem that the worst is behind us and we are now starting to move away from the market lows seen earlier this year, with positive growth expected to materialise over the remaining six months. While this short-term positivity won’t be enough to bring about an annual increase in total mortgage approvals, it does set a very firm foundation for further positive growth in 2024.” Data tablesData tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction technology provider Causeway Technologies has revealed the key findings from its Causeway Insights 2023 survey of construction industry professionals. Evidence from the survey suggests digital transformation remains high on the agenda, with the vast majority of those surveyed reporting that their organisation is currently implementing initiatives to digitalise aspects of their business process. However, while 71% of C-suite executives believe their organisation to be digitally mature, feedback from those in less senior positions suggests that progress might not be advanced as bosses think. Causeway found manual spreadsheets are still ubiquitous: 94% of organisations in the survey still use them, despite the adoption of technology designed to supersede them. Meanwhile, 87% of respondents said that inconsistent processes and technologies pose a challenge to their organisation, and a third said administrative tasks remain among their businesses’ biggest productivity challenges. As Rob Christie, head of finance at EKFB and one of the experts who reviewed this research for Causeway, says: “The perception is that ‘it’s all digital’. But I’d argue that it’s only truly digital if all the inputs and processes behind the raw data and the collection of data are also digital. “If your teams are manually inputting data from paper into an Excel file and uploading this file to create a power BI dashboard – in my opinion, this isn’t ‘digital’. It’s only when you understand the source of the data and its inputs that you can be confident that controls and processes are in place to allow the digital thread to flow through.” Integration woes Despite 95% of those surveyed agreeing that integrated or automated processes and technologies are key for driving success, no one reported that their organisation’s software solutions were fully integrated with one another at present. On average businesses are using seven different industry-specific solutions, the majority (57%) of which are not integrated or talking to each other. One of the most shocking results from the research was that respondents thought employees are spending an average of 48% of their time moving data between industry-specific software solutions. Every organisation surveyed also said that they customise these software solutions to some degree to meet their needs – and 54% say the products are completely customised. This is even when customising solutions frequently leads to higher costs, compromised quality, and a lack of data cohesion. Rob Ramsay, Product Director at Causeway said: “The headlines from this research confirm that, although every business we spoke to considers itself somewhat or very digitally mature, the reality is less clear-cut, with common challenges across the sector when it comes to the consistent adoption and use of new technology. “Industry-specific software solutions lack integration, with employees spending a shocking amount of time moving data between different systems, rather than making use of their time for more productive tasks. “Meanwhile, the over-customisation of software and the lack of integration present big challenges to construction companies, including increased costs to maintain and update software, reduced data visibility and continuity, and security concerns. “Customisation culture is holding us back. The UK construction industry urgently needs a more integrated, standardised approach that covers all aspects of an organisation’s processes.” Sustainability goals The survey also explored the relationship between digitalisation and sustainability targets. A third of respondents reported that meeting sustainability and ESG goals are among their organisation’s greatest challenges and the survey results suggest many are looking to digital technologies to support this. 94% say that technical innovations are key to driving decarbonisation and 96% of respondents agree that their organisation would benefit from the use of digital tools to help drive decarbonisation and energy efficiency. David Emery, a consultant at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, comments: “People really struggle to calculate a return on investment for digital tools, particularly in terms of sustainability. And it’s really hard to make the business case sometimes. But what we often hear from our members is that, when they do invest in digital tools, they usually exceed the return on investment because things happen that you didn’t anticipate.” To support this move towards digitalisation in sustainability reporting, Causeway is currently working on a collaborative venture with major contractors and suppliers to develop an automated, real-time solution for Scope 3 emissions reporting. The Causeway Insights research was conducted in April 2023 among 175 respondents, all of whom authorised or influenced the purchase of software in their organisation. Companies ranged from SMEs to Tier 1 contractors, spanning construction, housebuilding, building services, infrastructure and civil engineering. The research data was then reviewed by three experts, including Rob Christie at EKFB, David Emery at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, and Barry Desmond, finance director at John Craddock Ltd. Full findings of the research have been published in a report called ‘Beyond the Basics – how UK construction is using digital solutions to achieve efficiency, integration and sustainability’. The report unlocks a deeper understanding of the current state of play in terms of digitalisation in the construction industry. It features data and analysis, with feedback and commentary from industry experts, and looks at how principal contractors and large subcontractor companies are approaching the common challenges that come with digital transformation. ‘Beyond the Basics’ is available to view and download at: https://campaign.causeway.com/beyond_the_basics_report_2023 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Independent Builders Merchant Group, owner of 21 local brands of builders’ merchants across the South of England, is supporting an intrepid team for this year’s Pavestone Rally. The charity rally, that sets off in September, aims to raise money for four charities and awards competitors with points for various challenges along the 1,820 km route. Trevor, who is the MD of IBMG’s timber division, will drive a 19-year-old London taxi bought from Ebay for £460 to compete in the creatively challenging rally across Europe. This year’s co-driver is Peter Saunders who Trevor met in 1991 when they were accepted onto a building supplies graduate training program and have been firm friends ever since. Peter’s son, Jake is also joining the team. This is Trevor’s seventh time to take part – finishing in first place in 2016 and 2019, and second in 2017 and 2018 – the team also won Best Dressed Car and Best Dressed Team. Trevor said: “Our team is called ‘It’s Not About The Points’ because I have been accused of being prepared to do anything for points in previous rallies! Putting jokes aside, the entire rally is about raising money for four very worthy charities – and we’ll pull out all the stops to achieve some serious fund-raising for these excellent causes. “Big thanks already go to Arrowsmith & Roberts, the hauliers, that collected the car from the seller for us and has stored it while the starter motor was replaced, tyres fitted, and the missing front passenger seat welding in! Also thank you to the apprentices at Channel Commercials, Ashford for the amazing makeover.” The route runs from Ghent in Belgium, through France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and finishes in Monte Carlo on Sunday 11 September. You can sponsor the IBMG team by following this link: https://sponsorme.charitiestrust.org/event/816370e7-1d56-40f6-81c3-238537c9b201 The Pavestone Rally invites UK builder’s merchants to raise money for charity. The goal is to drive a car, worth less than £500, across Europe in four days, while in full fancy dress. The rally is hoping to raise £175,000 for its chosen charities: Rainy Day Trust, Crash, British Heart Foundation and Variety The Children’s Charity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Are your sash windows showing signs of rot? We have put together the essential tips for restoring sash windows and repairing rotten frames and sills effectively. Follow this expert advice from the leading sash window repair and replacement professionals, perfect for maintaining your windows’ timeless beauty. Rotten Frames and Sills Sash windows, with their classic charm, add character to any property. However, over time, these windows may face the challenge of rotting frames and sills, which can compromise both their aesthetic appeal and functionality. Restoring sash windows and repairing rotten frames and sills can seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach and techniques, it can be a rewarding project. Here are some key steps and tips to help you get started: 1. Identifying signs of rotten frames and sills Before diving into the restoration process, it’s essential to identify signs of rot in your sash window frames and sills. Look for discoloration, soft spots, and visible mould or mildew. Gently probe the wood with a screwdriver to check for softness or decay. Identifying the extent of the damage will guide you in choosing the best way to fix any problem. 2. What is causing the rot? You’ll need to get to the bottom of what is causing the rot to occur. Common causes include exposure to moisture, insect infestations, and poor maintenance. By keeping on top of these you will add years more life to your sash window frames and sills. 3. Do you need a sash window repair and replacement expert? Deciding whether to undertake the restoration yourself or hire a professional is a critical step. While minor repairs can be DIY-friendly, extensive damage might require the expertise of a skilled professional. Consider your experience, available time, and the scale of the restoration project before making a decision. 4. Use the Right Tools for the Job Going ahead with the DIY approach? Some tools you might need include chisels, wood filler, sandpaper, a utility knife, and a paintbrush. The right tools will ensure precision and efficiency during the restoration process. 4 Steps to Windowsill and Frame Restoration Removing Rotted Wood: Start by carefully removing the rotted sections of the frames and sills using a chisel. Take your time to avoid causing further damage to the surrounding areas. Applying Wood Filler: Once the rotted wood is removed, apply a reliable wood filler to the affected areas. Make sure the filler matches the colour and type of wood for a seamless finish. Sanding: After the filler dries, sand the repaired areas until smooth. Painting: Apply a primer to the repaired areas before painting to enhance adhesion and protection against future damage. Choose a weather-resistant paint that complements the rest of your property. Preserving Your Hard Work To prolong the life of your restored sash windows and prevent future rot, follow these maintenance tips: Wooden Window frame and Windowsill FAQs Q: How can I tell if my sash window frames and sills are rotting? A: Look for signs of discoloration, softness, and visible mould or mildew. Gently probing the wood with a screwdriver can also help identify decay. Q: Can I repair rotted sash window frames myself? A: Minor repairs can be DIY-friendly, but extensive damage might require professional expertise. Q: What causes sash window frames and sills to rot? A: Common causes include exposure to moisture, insect infestations, and poor maintenance Q: What tools do I need for sash window restoration? A: Essential tools include chisels, wood filler, sandpaper, a utility knife, and a paintbrush. Q: How do I prevent future rot after restoration? A: Regular inspections, proper ventilation, protective coatings, and seasonal maintenance are essential preventive measures. Restoring sash windows and repairing rotten frames and sills can breathe new life into your home. By identifying signs of rot, understanding the causes, and following the right restoration process, you can successfully revitalise your sash windows without needing to replace the whole lot which is better for the environment, and your bank balance.
We’re all feeling the squeeze on our finances at the moment. Counting every penny, shopping around for the best deals and cutting back on anything that isn’t considered essential to make our money go further is now the norm for households up and down the country. Giving up days and meals out, takeaways, even holidays and shopping for budget versions of our favourite household items are just some of the ways people are saving money, however declining to take out a house insurance policy, shouldn’t be one of them. It’s easy to think that home insurance is a luxury we can afford to give up, but in reality, if the worst were to happen and you didn’t have cover in place, you could find yourself in a dire financial situation. In this post, we’ll explore how to keep your home insurance premiums as low as possible and how you can find cheaper home insurance. Shop Around For The Right Price We’re all encouraged to shop around for the right price. Whether it’s the cost of our groceries, car insurance or even pet cover, it’s important you get the right price to begin with, before you start looking for ways to keep your premiums down. If you’re looking for a cheap home insurance quote, you should start your search online. But don’t be pulled into using just any comparison site, you’ll need one that compares multiple providers and has a good Trust Pilot review, this way, you see more of the market and have a better chance of finding the right cover at the right price. Remember, not only are you looking for the right price, but you’ll also need to explore all the small print and deals that are out there, to ensure the right price means you’re getting the right policy! Consider Combining Your Policies Did you know that buildings and contents insurance is usually sold separately? Therefore, it might be worth combining these policies to see if you get the coverage you need for a better price. In addition to a potential saving, if you did need to make a claim for both buildings and contents, then your claim will be handled by the same provider, making it a much simpler, straightforward process. Consider Paying Your Premiums Annually We’re all tightening our belts, but in some cases, if you choose to pay your insurance annually rather than monthly, you can receive a discount – and in this economy, every little helps! Increase Your Home Security If you’ve found the right policy, then it’s now time to look at keeping your premiums as low as possible. One way to do this is to increase the security in and around your home. Whether you’ve just renovated a property or you’re living in a listed building, there are ways to do this, including installing burglar alarms and cameras, installing smoke detectors, using a safe for your valuables and installing outdoor lights. Protect Your Home Against Flooding If you live somewhere that is prone to flooding, then taking the necessary precautions to prevent flooding (to the best of your ability) can also keep your premiums low. You could install raised electrical sockets, have sandbags to hand, and even anti-flood barriers at the boundary of your property. Final Thoughts… Don’t convince yourself that buildings and contents insurance is something you can afford to live without. Start by comparing providers, today.
Whether it’s the early morning fishing escapades or the great water scenery in your evening walk, Idaho’s lake always has something to offer, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Along with its serene escape, you can explore the breathtaking waterfront Sandpoint Idaho homes for sale, especially if you are looking to buy a property in one of these 10 beautiful lakes. 1. Priest Lake This lake consists of two bodies of water connected via a thoroughfare. Dubbed “Idaho’s Crown Jewel,” the Priest Lake offers amazing features including the unique cluster of islands and the white-sand beaches that make it a dream destination for tourists all over the world. 2. Stanley Lake Embraced by the iconic Sawtooth Mountains, Stanley Lake is a lesser-known gem that offers a peaceful and uncrowded retreat. Ideal for nature enthusiasts, the lake offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and photography. 3. Lake Pend Oreille Lake Pend Oreille is Idalo’s largest lake and is ideal for fishermen, swimmers, and boaters. For anglers eager to explore Idaho’s largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille, click here for the ideal surf rods to enhance your fishing experience. This lake is home to untamed forests, wolves, and grizzly bears. Along with the resort communities, the availability of wildlife in this area makes it a suitable destination for those looking to explore nature. 4. Redfish Outlet Lake This lake features crystal-blue waters and sandy beaches which make it ideal for sunbathers, kayakers, and mountain bikers. The availability of various outdoor adventures makes it desirable for those looking to invest in properties close by. 5. Lake Coeur d’Alene Lake Coeur d’Alene is a geological wonder that emanated from prehistoric Missoula Floods, where the terrain of the Pacific Northwest was carved by glaciers. This lake offers summer homes to celebrities as well as other outdoor enthusiasts. 6. Alturas Lake Nestled in the Sawtooth Valley, Alturas Lake is a hidden treasure known for its emerald waters and stunning mountain backdrop. It offers a serene setting for kayaking and canoeing, while the surrounding area is a paradise for hikers. 7. Bear Lake This lake is split between Utah and Idaho. Also known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” this lake is a popular destination for sailors, fishermen, swimmers, and raspberry pickers. 8. Payette Lake Located near the charming resort town of McCall, Payette Lake is a year-round playground for both locals and tourists. In the summer, the lake’s sparkling waters invite boaters and water sports enthusiasts. During winter, it becomes a magical wonderland with opportunities for ice fishing and snowmobiling. 9. Upper Priest Lake Upper Priest Lake is accessible only by boat or hiking. The effort to reach this remote lake is rewarded with breathtaking scenery and a sense of serenity. Surrounded by thick forests and towering peaks, this hidden gem offers a true escape into nature. 10. Henrys Lake Located near the Idaho-Montana border, Henrys Lake is a renowned fishing destination, particularly for fly fishing. Its tranquil waters are teeming with cutthroat and brook trout, attracting anglers from across the country. Wrap Up The lakes mentioned here are among the most beautiful and fascinating lakes you’ll find when you visit Idaho. While each offers a set of unique features, all share a common thread of being a respite from the daily hustles of life.
