Plans to deliver a cutting-edge Extra Care scheme in Hebburn Town Centre has been given the go ahead this week by South Tyneside Council’s planning committee. The £26million development from Karbon Homes will see 95 affordable homes developed on the site behind Hebburn Central, consisting of 20 two-bed and 75
McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) has been appointed to two of the four lots awarded to McLaren nationally on the £8bn Procure Partnerships Framework. Procure Partnerships Framework has operated a national contractor framework for the last four years across 11 regions, and this second iteration covers four disciplines; construction, decarbonisation
Knight Property Group appoints Clark Contracts as main contractor on the 25,000 sq ft development Works have started on a brand new £10 million Aberdeen store for national improvements giant Wickes. Knight Property Group has commenced on site with the construction of the store, to be based at Phase 3
Are you a budding contractor looking to make your mark in the competitive construction industry? You’ve come to the right place, whether you’re just starting or looking to revamp your marketing efforts. In today’s digital age, effective marketing is crucial for the growth and success of your contractor company. But
Plans to deliver a cutting-edge Extra Care scheme in Hebburn Town Centre has been given the go ahead this week by South Tyneside Council’s planning committee. The £26million development from Karbon Homes will see 95 affordable homes developed on the site behind Hebburn Central, consisting of 20 two-bed and 75 one-bed apartments, 17 of which will be the specialist dementia apartments. Zoey Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes welcomed the planning decision. “We’re pleased to hear the news that our Hebburn Gardens Extra Care development has been given the planning go ahead, providing modern, high-quality homes that will help meet the demand for specialist housing in the South Tyneside area. “This is the start of an exciting partnership with South Tyneside Council, to help ensure local residents have access to affordable housing that provides them with the levels of care and support they need to continue living independently.” Following the Hebburn scheme, there is the potential for the development of two more extra schemes, delivered as a partnership project between Karbon Homes and South Tyneside Council. Combined, the three schemes could deliver up to 300 new homes, helping address the lack of specialist affordable accommodation options in the borough, that help people of varying ages over 18, with differing levels of care and support needs, to live well and independently. Bringing more housing of this type to the local authority area forms part of the Council’s wider Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy, aimed at supporting people who may need care and support to live independently in the community. Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “This is excellent news and means we can now start putting these exciting plans into action. “One of our key ambitions is for people to stay healthy and well throughout their lives. Residents have told us that they would prefer to live independently in the community for as long as possible, rather than going into residential care, and it is this kind of affordable, specialist accommodation that will enable people to do that. “This scheme will allow not just older people, but younger adults with care needs to live in their local community with support.” The delivery of the Hebburn scheme is expected to be part-funded by Homes England, through Karbon Homes’ Strategic Partnership with the Government’s housing delivery agency. The strategic partnership has provided Karbon with funding to deliver 2,200 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire over the next few years, 10% of which has been dedicated to the development of new homes for people requiring additional support needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) has been appointed to two of the four lots awarded to McLaren nationally on the £8bn Procure Partnerships Framework. Procure Partnerships Framework has operated a national contractor framework for the last four years across 11 regions, and this second iteration covers four disciplines; construction, decarbonisation and retrofit, demolition and site preparation and infrastructure. Under the construction discipline, the McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) division has been appointed to deliver public sector projects from £15m-£30m in the East Midlands and £30m+ in the West Midlands. The contractor is one of 87 appointed to the second-generation Framework which will run from 1 November 2023 for four years. McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) secured its place on the Framework through a rigorous selection process encompassing several critical assessments, including: PAS91 Selection Questionnaire, Financial Standing Checks, Relevant Experience, and Commercial Assessments, alongside Quality Assessments – covering aspects such as cost management, health and safety, sustainability, social value, and performance management. Gary Cramp, Managing Director at McLaren Construction (Midlands & North), said: “The new iteration of the framework is set to transform public and private sector procurement. McLaren Construction is proud to have been selected to deliver high-quality public sector schemes. “Both McLaren Construction and the Framework have a shared priority of delivering projects that have a strong emphasis on generating social value, and we are looking forward to what will be achieved for communities in the next four years.” Robbie Blackhurst, Director and Founder at Procure Partnerships Framework, said: “It was of paramount importance to us that the new framework addresses the growing needs of the industry, whilst ensuring clients have access to specialist contractors for their projects. McLaren Construction has an extensive portfolio of delivering successful construction projects, and we’re delighted to welcome them back onto the second iteration of the Procure Partnerships Framework.” McLaren Construction London and South have also been appointed to two lots covering £30m+projects in the East of England and Southeast. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Knight Property Group appoints Clark Contracts as main contractor on the 25,000 sq ft development Works have started on a brand new £10 million Aberdeen store for national improvements giant Wickes. Knight Property Group has commenced on site with the construction of the store, to be based at Phase 3 of Kingshill Park, at Westhill in Aberdeen. Planning consent was granted on the three-acre site by Aberdeenshire Council in March this year. When complete, the new store will bring around 25 new jobs to the local economy and will see Wickes make a welcome return to the Granite City. Knight has agreed a 20-year lease with Wickes and has appointed Clark Contracts as the main contractor to deliver the 25,000 sq ft bespoke store, which will also include 79 parking spaces and an outdoor projects centre for landscape and garden projects to the rear of the store. The construction process will take around six months, with completion scheduled for Q2 2024. The new building has a steel frame design to a high specification and will be constructed of high-performance composite wall and roof cladding. All internal fit-out will be handled directly by Wickes. Sarah Taitt, Property Director of Wickes said: “We were keen to establish a presence in Aberdeen once more. With work now in progress, we are excited to watch the construction process take shape and look forward to opening next year. This will not only offer a wider range of options for consumers but also generate new employment opportunities for the local community.” Howard Crawshaw, Managing Director of Knight Property Group added: “The new Wickes store will be a welcome addition to the local area. The building has been designed to meet the tenant’s specification and sits well with our other surrounding properties and complements the other amenities available at Westhill. It will be an excellent destination for both staff and customers. “We’re delighted to collaborate once more with Clark Contracts, known for their consistent delivery of high-quality work, and we’re eagerly anticipating the development of this new store taking shape in the upcoming year.” Michael Scanlan, Director of Clark Contracts added: “We are excited to be involved in this project to bring a new Wickes store to Aberdeen. We have a strong relationship with Knight Property Group, having worked on a number of similar developments for them and delivering a high-quality end product, and are looking forward to working with them again.” Wickes welcomed its first customers 50 years ago and is one of the UK’s fastest growing home improvement retailers. Its initial site at Whitefield, Manchester opened in 1972. The business is one of the UK’s leading DIY chains and builders’ merchant and now operates more than 230 stores throughout the UK, with existing Scottish sites in Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling. Wickes will join other big names in the business park including Starbucks, McDonalds, Screwfix and Toolstation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Are you a budding contractor looking to make your mark in the competitive construction industry? You’ve come to the right place, whether you’re just starting or looking to revamp your marketing efforts. In today’s digital age, effective marketing is crucial for the growth and success of your contractor company. But where do you begin? Fear not, because in this article, we will explore the ten best ways to market your new contractor company successfully. Establishing an Online Presence In the digital era, your online presence is your virtual storefront. Let’s dive into the first key strategy: Creating a Professional Website Your website is often the first impression potential clients will have of your company. It must be user-friendly, visually appealing, and packed with essential information. Think of it as your digital business card, available 24/7. A well-designed website should showcase your portfolio, list your services, and make it easy for visitors to contact you. Remember, simplicity is key. Refrain from overwhelming your visitors with cluttered design or excessive information. Keep it clean, organized, and professional. But having a beautiful website is only half the battle; you also need to ensure people can find it. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Imagine your website as a hidden gem in a vast desert. SEO is the map that guides people to your treasure. Effective SEO strategies can significantly improve your website’s search engine rankings. Start with keyword research – identify the terms potential clients are likely to search for when looking for a contractor in your area. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your website’s content, headings, and metadata. Local SEO is particularly essential for contractors, so you should think about partnering with a company that provides tailored contractor marketing services. Ensure your website is optimized for local searches, including your location and contact details. This way, when someone in your area searches for your services, your website will be among the top results. Leveraging Social Media Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn have become essential tools for marketing your contractor business. Here’s how you can use them effectively: Choose the right platforms for your audience and industry. Instagram, for instance, is excellent for sharing visually appealing before-and-after photos of your projects, while LinkedIn can help you connect with other professionals in the construction field. Creating engaging content is key to keeping your audience’s attention. Share project updates, customer testimonials, and even run contests or giveaways to boost engagement. Consider investing in paid advertising on social media platforms. With targeted ads, you can reach potential clients in your area more effectively. Building and Showcasing Your Portfolio A well-curated portfolio is a testament to your skills and expertise. Potential clients want to see what you’ve accomplished before entrusting you with their projects. High-quality photos and detailed descriptions are a must for each project in your portfolio. Include any special features or challenges you overcame. Don’t forget to showcase any customer testimonials and reviews, as these build trust and credibility. Demonstrate your versatility by showcasing a variety of project types. Whether it’s residential, commercial, or industrial, showing your ability to tackle different challenges can attract a broader range of clients. Networking and Partnerships In the business world, relationships are everything. Let’s explore the next strategy: Networking and Partnerships Building relationships with other businesses in related industries can open doors to new opportunities. Consider joining local business associations or trade organizations in your area. Collaborative marketing efforts can be mutually beneficial. Partner with complementary businesses to cross-promote each other’s services. For instance, if you’re a general contractor, you could partner with an interior design firm to offer comprehensive home renovation packages. Online Reviews and Reputation Management Encourage satisfied customers to leave online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or industry-specific websites. Positive reviews can significantly influence potential clients’ decisions. Monitor your online reviews diligently. Respond to both positive and negative feedback promptly and professionally. Addressing concerns and showing a willingness to improve can turn a negative review into a positive experience. Maintaining a positive online reputation attracts more clients and builds trust and credibility in your community. Content Marketing Creating valuable and informative content can establish you as a trusted authority in your field. Consider writing blog posts on relevant topics, how-to guides, or tutorials related to construction and contracting. Share this content on your website and social media channels to reach a wider audience. Your goal is to provide value and answer questions potential clients may have. Email Marketing Build an email list of potential clients who have shown interest in your services. Send them regular newsletters with updates, promotions, and helpful information. Personalize your email campaigns to target specific audiences. For instance, you can send different emails to homeowners and businesses based on their needs and interests. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising PPC advertising, such as Google Ads, allows you to bid on keywords and display your ads at the top of search results. It’s an effective way to get in front of potential clients actively searching for contractor services. Set a budget that aligns with your business goals, and target specific keywords related to your services and location. Continuously monitor and optimize your ad campaigns to maximize your return on investment (ROI). Tracking and Analytics Effective marketing requires ongoing evaluation and adjustment. Utilize analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of your marketing strategies. Are your website visitors converting into clients? Which social media posts are generating the most engagement? Is your PPC campaign delivering the desired results? Use data and insights to make informed decisions and refine your marketing efforts. Conclusion In the ever-evolving world of marketing, staying ahead of the curve is essential for the success of your contractor company. By implementing these ten key strategies, you’ll not only establish a strong online presence but also build lasting relationships with clients and partners. Now, it’s your turn. Which of these strategies will you prioritize in your marketing plan? How do you plan to adapt to the changing landscape of digital marketing? Remember, success
