BDC

Search
BDC Magazine

November 30, 2023

Completion of a new teaching block opens to students at Solihull

Completion of a new teaching block opens to students at Solihull

Construction works for a new two-storey teaching block at Alderbrook School in Solihull has been successfully completed by Midlands-contractor, G F Tomlinson. Delivered on behalf of Solihull Council, the works have provided the school with an additional seven classrooms, ancillary spaces, toilets, a reception area, school bus parking, cycling storage

Read More »
Planning delays pose the biggest threat to SME housing delivery

Planning delays pose the biggest threat to SME housing delivery

More than half of SME builders reported the planning system as their biggest barrier to delivering new homes, according to the Federation of Master Builders, FMB, annual survey. Respondents cited ‘inadequate resourcing’ of planning departments as the main reason for delays in applications followed by poor communication. FMB chief executive

Read More »
New radiotherapy facility now complete and open in Leicester

New radiotherapy facility now complete and open in Leicester

Leicester Royal Infirmary’s radiotherapy department is celebrating the opening of a full extension and significant enhancement works which will ensure that more patients can receive new state-of-the-art treatments. The larger building can house the latest equipment, alongside comfortable waiting spaces, and pleasant office spaces for staff. Delivered by Midlands-based contractor,

Read More »
JPS secures £1m contract with Housing Solutions

JPS secures £1m contract with Housing Solutions

Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) has secured a new three-year contract worth £1m with Housing Solutions, a leading provider of affordable homes in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.  Delivering on the supply and storage of the building materials required to develop and maintain Housing Solutions’ portfolio, JPS will be supporting residents in properties

Read More »
20,000 People Make the Switch to E-Communications

20,000 People Make the Switch to E-Communications

Leading property management company, Rendall & Rittner, is proud to announce that an impressive 20,000 of its residents have signed up for its e-communications platform. This achievement reflects Rendall & Rittner’s firm commitment to creating sustainable communities for people to live, work and play in. Having initially been recognised for

Read More »
Fujitsu and TF Solutions celebrate 10th anniversary

Fujitsu and TF Solutions celebrate 10th anniversary

Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK and wholesaler TF Solutions are celebrating a successful 10-year working partnership. From the launch of its first branch in Stockport in 2001, TF Solutions has grown to 15 branches and is one of the UK’s leading air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump wholesalers. Now part

Read More »

Latest Issue

BDC 319 : Aug 2024

November 30, 2023

Torus Invests £17.2m into latest Site, Building 77 New St Helens Homes

Torus Invests £17.2m into latest Site, Building 77 New St Helens Homes

Further expanding its commitment to creating even more New Build homes in St Helens, Torus Developments is investing £17.2 million into the development of 77 affordable homes at Rutland Street in Cowley Hill, St Helens. Contributing to a three-year programme to build over 500 new homes in St Helens, Rutland Street will see 23 Shared Ownership houses and 54 over 55s Affordable Rent apartments created. Focused on reducing the carbon footprint of the development itself and future residents’ energy bills, Rutland Street will see Torus Developments further its commitment to becoming a greener, future-focused developer. Funded, in part, by Homes England’s Strategic Partnership 2012-2026 programme and £1.16 million from Mayor Steve Rotheram’s Brownfield Land Fund, the scheme will redevelop a site, that was vacant for over 10 years, by creating modern, energy saving homes of the highest quality. Discussing the scheme, Director of Development and Technical, Steve Alcock, said: “Rutland Street showcases our ongoing dedication to creating new affordable homes and employment opportunities in St Helens. It’s a fantastic scheme overlooking Victoria Park and everyone involved has worked collaboratively to reach this point. “Torus are committed to improving the experience of our customers and neighbours in St Helens, creating a development that is fully embedded in its local community way before keys are handed over to future residents.” Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “We are specifically targeting brownfield sites to help protect our precious green spaces from overdevelopment – turning once-forgotten areas back into thriving communities. “I want everyone in our area to have the chance to realise their home ownership ambitions – to get their foot on the property ladder and invest in their future. Yet, for too long, achieving that dream has been out of reach for many of our residents who have been forced to contend with a broken housing market, that simply doesn’t work for them. Thanks to devolution, we are working to put that right by investing £60 million to open up a pipeline of 4,000 homes across our six boroughs by ensuring that there are suitable sites for development.” Kate Collins, Senior Manager, Provider Management, Large and Strategic Providers at Homes England, continued: “As a Homes England Strategic Partner, Torus has committed to delivering new affordable homes via the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26. It’s fantastic to see works underway Rutland Street, which brings a neglected urban area back into use and represents a significant contribution to the programme. At Homes England we are committed to supporting our partners to increase the supply of good quality affordable housing in the communities where they’re needed most.” HMS’ Construction Director, John Barrow, continued: “Rutland Street is the largest site HMS has undertaken in St Helens to date and I am looking forward to be leading the development of a scheme that will see a number of green solutions embedded into its design. For HMS, we want to be at the forefront of building more eco-friendly schemes and be able to continue working with Torus on developing homes that meet residents’ needs in the short and long term, is something I am proud of. When completed, Rutland Street will not only be a great example of how we work to build fantastic homes, but actively create opportunities for local people and suppliers.” Due for completion by Summer 2025, Rutland Street will completely redevelop a brownfield site to create a thriving housing development that will give future residents access to numerous local amenities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Completion of a new teaching block opens to students at Solihull

Completion of a new teaching block opens to students at Solihull

Construction works for a new two-storey teaching block at Alderbrook School in Solihull has been successfully completed by Midlands-contractor, G F Tomlinson. Delivered on behalf of Solihull Council, the works have provided the school with an additional seven classrooms, ancillary spaces, toilets, a reception area, school bus parking, cycling storage and increased car parking for staff and visitors. A new security access and egress gate to the school grounds was also incorporated. Built using a structural steel frame system and blockwork, the building features a flat roof, with rendered walls and full height curtain walling to three of the elevations.   As part of the scheme, G F Tomlinson also planted a number of trees and wildflowers on the school grounds – with the help of Alderbrook School pupils – enhancing the existing ecology of the site and attracting insects and animals to thrive within the grounds. G F Tomlinson committed to providing social value-added initiatives throughout the scheme and pledged to deliver 27% ‘social value added’ against the project. The contractor, achieved 48% added value, almost doubling their initial target, resulting in a social economic value of over £1.7 million.  During the project, G F Tomlinson sourced 92% of local labour within 40 miles of site and hosted a local Supply Chain Collaboration event to encourage local companies to get involved in the project. They recycled 95% of site waste and rescued 3.4 tonnes of materials from the waste stream collected by VCSE Community Wood Recycling. G F Tomlinson offered work experience placements on-site for Alderbrook pupils, and supported the school’s ‘Life Ready’ day, which included ‘career in construction’ workshops and mock interview sessions. The contractor also supported the local Marston Green Parish Hall by donating materials for a much-needed refurbishment of its welfare facilities alongside key supply chain partners – MGD Specialist Interior Finishes Limited and Palings Mechanical & Electrical Services Limited. Materials donated to the communal charity building included providing hygienic cladding, a toilet, urinal, handwash basin, taps, a radiator, wall fan, new light fittings, and hand dryer. Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re pleased to have completed works on the new-build teaching facility for Alderbrook School and are proud with all of the ‘social value added’ opportunities we achieved as part of this scheme. “I want to say a huge congratulations to our hardworking team for not only delivering a high-quality teaching space, but also for exceeding our social value-added target by such a significant amount. This is testament to our dedication to this project and passion for giving back to the communities in which we operate.” Tom Beveridge, Headteacher, Alderbrook School, said: “The completion of the building ready for September has been transformational for our school; students are enjoying learning in state-of-the-art classrooms and the creation of outdoor play space has markedly improved the experience for our students. We are delighted with the enhancements this project has brought to our school and are very grateful to all involved in this project.” Councillor Michael Gough, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “I am really pleased that these works have been completed at Alderbrook School, providing much improved facilities for our children for the future. It is also a great example of investing in local resources. Well done to all involved.” To find out more about Alderbrook School, please visit: www.alderbrookschool.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
McLaughlin & Harvey celebrates three wins at the CCS Leading Lights Awards

McLaughlin & Harvey celebrates three wins at the CCS Leading Lights Awards

McLaughlin & Harvey picked up three awards at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2023 Leading Lights Awards. The awards, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 27 November, recognise sites, organisations and individuals who have gone above and beyond the Code of Considerate Practice in the areas of Community, Environment and Workforce. The company was presented awards in three categories: one for our work on West Asset Resource Centre (ARC) for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; one for our Eden Campus project in Kingston Upon Thames; and an individual award for our Site Agent Matthew McAdam.  West Asset Resource Centre (ARC) project for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Improving lives and creating lasting legacies was at the heart of McLaughlin & Harvey’s Community Matters Programme at the Scottish Fire and Rescue West Arc project. Partnering with local community groups, McLaughlin & Harvey targeted its resources directly to those in crisis, supporting hundreds of people experiencing the high cost of living and ongoing cuts to local services. Initiatives included a community lunch providing 100 hot meals; volunteering at a local foodbank; theatre ticket donations to tackle social isolation in the elderly; and monetary support to other charities and social enterprises. Delivering a positive impact to individuals and families experiencing isolation and poverty, the programme has generated £6.67m in Social Value and inspired teams to deliver similar initiatives across other projects. Eden Campus Our Eden Campus project was successful in the Physical Wellbeing category.  McLaughlin & Harvey prides itself on being a good employer and considers the health, safety and wellbeing of both its workforce and those affected by its activities, fundamental to its business. An example of its commitment is evident on the Eden Campus project where McLaughlin & Harvey, together with the building’s end user, Unilever, helped create a positive and proactive health, safety and wellbeing culture. Working together the teams co-designed and implemented an employee engagement programme, supporting staff affected by the rising cost of living with donations and discounted Unilever products, uplifting morale with an ice cream van, and upskilling 226 individuals through CPD courses. The initiative has gained an overwhelmingly positive response and is expected to put £6,772 back into the community, increasing further as the engagement plan develops. Matthew McAdam, Site Agent Our Site Agent, and STEM Ambassador, Matthew McAdam received an Individual Champion Award in the Community category for his Snowy Waring The Explorer initiative. Matthew delivered a highly engaging and thought-provoking STEM programme to raise awareness and educate children on the importance of civil engineering and sustainable construction. Inspired by the Frozen Planet 2 TV series, Matthew used his professional network to find the resources to send ‘Snowy’, a local school mascot, on a round-trip to Antarctica. Matthew took the time to write a regular blog to accompany the adventure, he created a series of supporting resources and hosted a number of STEM events at local schools. Highlighting the damaging impact of climate and sea level change, and the significance of designing and constructing projects sustainably and responsibly to protect our planet, Matthew is inspiring a new climate-conscious generation. Commenting on the award wins, Alastair Lambe, Group SHEQ Director, said: “We’re proud to have accepted these awards in front of our industry peers, showcasing the efforts of our teams and individual employees to go above and beyond on our projects. The wins reflect the added value McLaughlin & Harvey creates for society through our business operations to improve the environment, economy and social well-being. “McLaughlin & Harvey is committed to improving the image of the industry by raising standards, building trust and ensuring that all our projects are working to the core values of the Considerate Constructor Scheme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Planning delays pose the biggest threat to SME housing delivery

Planning delays pose the biggest threat to SME housing delivery

More than half of SME builders reported the planning system as their biggest barrier to delivering new homes, according to the Federation of Master Builders, FMB, annual survey. Respondents cited ‘inadequate resourcing’ of planning departments as the main reason for delays in applications followed by poor communication. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “For small builders, the survey is clear that the system is too complex and costly. Communication from local planning authorities is also poor. Without changing this, planning issues are likely to loom large as a barrier for some time.” Extra expense due to planning delays was the most significant cause of additional costs. Out of the 127 members surveyed only 12 per cent had a ‘high degree of certainty’ in the planning process. Nearly half, 45 per cent, had medium certainty with a third, 32 per cent, seeing a low degree followed by 11 per cent with a very low degree of certainty in the planning process. The second biggest barrier was restricted mortgage availability with just over half, 51 per cent, indicating this was a problem. Buyer demand was at its lowest since 2015, when the survey began recording this data, with an average score of two out of five, with five being very good and nought being very poor.  “This issue has seen a rapid rise over the last two years, reflecting the devastating impact the wider economy can have on the small house builders. With many consumers choosing not to take out mortgages it would appear the market is only getting smaller, resulting in less homes being built,” said Mr Berry. He added that this would be tough for SMEs whose housebuilding market share has dwindled from 40 per cent more than 30 years ago to just ten per cent now. Nearly a third of respondents, 63 per cent, said small site opportunities are decreasing, down from 82 per cent last year, with five per cent reporting that the number is increasing. And 60 per cent reported obtaining planning for small sites was worsening with 59 per cent believing national planning policy framework requirements on councils to identify sites wasn’t helping. “Lack of available land is also frustrating small builders and without proper incentives for local authorities to promote small sites it seems unlikely there will be much change,” added Mr Berry. Interest rate charges hold SME developers back Access to finance received the lowest rating in six years of just under two out of five with interest rate charges on new loans quoted as the most significant issue restricting the ability to build new homes. More than half, 53 per cent, cited self-build or custom contracts as the most popular source of funding for a new project. Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said there were still development finance lenders out there offering a property development mortgage at a good rate. Nearly all respondents, 94 per cent, said it had become more expensive to build over the last 12 months. More than half, 53 per cent, said it had become 20 per cent more expensive with one in five saying it was 30 per cent more expensive per site. Just under a quarter, 24 per cent, plan to grow their on-site workforce over the next year with 57 per cent planning to keep roughly the same numbers and 12 per cent planning to decrease headcounts. Half of respondents said they would be upskilling their workforce with 36 per cent reporting they would hire one or more apprentices down slightly on last year’s 40 per cent. Over 70 per cent of respondents said they were not confident about the new rules on biodiversity net gain which go live next year. More than half said there would be increased costs associated with future homes standards in 2025 when gas boilers can no longer be installed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Work-at-height industry responds to disappointing workplace injury statistics

Work-at-height industry responds to disappointing workplace injury statistics

The Access Industry Forum, the forum that represents the principal work at height trade associations and federations, is calling for clearer reporting of workplace accidents in a bid to save lives. As newly released Health & Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show another year of little improvement in workplace falls from height, the Access Industry Forum (AIF) is urging government and business to work together to spearhead action and prevent accidents. HSE statistics published last week report that over 5,000 people in Great Britain were injured at work last year due to a fall from height. 40 people also lost their lives1. These incidents are required by law to be reported by employers through RIDDOR2, but it is known there is substantial underreporting of non-fatal falls from height for all workers, particularly the self-employed, who were found to report just 12% of workplace incidents3. In addition to employer reported RIDDOR incidents, the HSE estimates the scale of non-fatal workplace injury using their preferred source, the self-reported Labour Force Survey (LFS). According to the LFS, the number of falls over the last 10 years may be up to 425,0004. Along with the lives, families and businesses affected by these accidents, up to 992,000 working days were lost through non-fatal falls from height in Great Britain last year alone5. Not only that, the total cost of non-fatal falls in 2022/23 is estimated to be over £770 million, made up of costs to the employer and the individual, government tax losses and benefit payments6. These figures have been consistent over recent years, with no signs of improvement. Research undertaken by the AIF found that limited data collected on the circumstances surrounding accidents, coupled with a problematic reporting system, make it difficult to pinpoint the underlying causes of falls from height and identify whether they are related to issues such as faulty equipment, lack of training, or negligence. The AIF is renewing its call for a simplified system of reporting to more accurately reflect the cause of workplace accidents so that informed, preventative measures can be implemented to address the cause of fall from height incidents. Unlike most other types of workplace injuries, the consequences of a fall from height are usually life-changing for the person involved, with many unlikely to return to their previous occupation, as well as having long-term consequences for employers, colleagues and families. The AIF actively supports the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height, which will bring together MPs and stakeholders from across industry at its next meeting in Westminster in December. They will be discussing how government and business can work together to ensure technological and regulatory progress can be made to make the UK the safest country in the world for those working at height. Peter Bennett OBE, AIF Chair, said: “This year’s statistics show that there is much work still to be done to ensure those who have to work at height do so in as safe an environment as possible. Very little information is provided on the circumstance around non-fatal and fatal incidents, with current reporting focused on the type of incident as opposed to what caused it in the first place. This needs to change if we are to see a decrease in the number of people who tragically lose their lives while working at height, and those who suffer the life-changing consequences of a fall from height. “We know that working at height can be dangerous, but we should be able to put appropriate and robust measures in place to make it safer. I look forward to attending the meeting of the APPG in December so we can demonstrate to lawmakers the need for a simplified reporting system and ensure all those working at height go home safely at the end of the day.”    Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
New radiotherapy facility now complete and open in Leicester

New radiotherapy facility now complete and open in Leicester

Leicester Royal Infirmary’s radiotherapy department is celebrating the opening of a full extension and significant enhancement works which will ensure that more patients can receive new state-of-the-art treatments. The larger building can house the latest equipment, alongside comfortable waiting spaces, and pleasant office spaces for staff. Delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, on behalf of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, works involved a significant extension to the existing Radiotherapy department in Leicester Royal’s Osborne Building to deliver a secure treatment facility as part of the improved health care provision for local people in the region. The £3.5m scheme commenced in the summer of 2022 and completed in August this year, with construction comprising two blocks – a radiotherapy bunker, control room and plant room, and an ancillary accommodation block, both of which connect to the existing Osborne Building via link corridors. The treatment area incorporates high security controls to prevent unauthorised access and provide a safe environment. A specialist force protection engineering consultant was appointed to review the structural design of the room and the building was also reviewed by the Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSA), to ensure compliance. As part of the new building’s green credentials, 32 PV panels were installed on the roof to provide power to the facility, alongside air source heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling through the building, generating fewer carbon emissions. To safely deliver construction works within the fully operational hospital site, a site-specific traffic management plan was implemented to minimise disruption and provide safe access and egress to local residents, hospital visitors and staff. A full-time logistics manager was appointed onsite to assist with the running of the car park, deliveries and to maintain a safe environment. A web-based system was utilised to plan and monitor materials deliveries in order to avoid congestion on the surrounding road networks of the busy hospital site. Social value was incorporated into the project with the site team instigating several initiatives including over 20 hours of litter picking which took place in the surrounding area to improve the environment and help make for a better experience for hospital visitors. A local supply chain was utilised on site which resulted in 77% of local labour being sourced within a 40-mile radius and 94% of all construction waste was recycled locally. As part of G F Tomlinson’s other social value commitments, the contractor provided work experience for a local student studying at a nearby college to provide them with practical experience on site.  Six apprentices were also allocated to the site for a combined total of 113 weeks. During their time at the radiotherapy facility, they had the opportunity to monitor the programme and plan works on site, manage quality assurance, supervise health and safety, and assist with the traffic management within the car park, as well as attending colleges and universities on day release programmes. Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It was an honour to be part of the extension and improvement of the current facilities at Leicester Royal Infirmary, to ensure that patients are getting the very best treatment and care possible. “We have extensive experience working in a live hospital environment and we implemented special measures during construction to ensure that the site always remained safe and accessible to patients and staff, working closely with the hospital team in achieving this. “We are very pleased that the client is happy with the quality of the build and that the enhanced, secure facility is in operation and open to the public.” Dr. Jenny Marsden, Head of Radiotherapy Physics, said: “We are extremely pleased with the new facility which meets the requirements of various external agencies to allow us to perform our work. It provides a lovely environment for patients and staff alike. The team are looking forward to welcoming patients and giving cancer care in a bespoke environment which meets their needs. We are also very keen to develop our service in the future, which is now possible as we have space for clinical development and improvement.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
JPS secures £1m contract with Housing Solutions

JPS secures £1m contract with Housing Solutions

Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) has secured a new three-year contract worth £1m with Housing Solutions, a leading provider of affordable homes in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.  Delivering on the supply and storage of the building materials required to develop and maintain Housing Solutions’ portfolio, JPS will be supporting residents in properties ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to three-bedroom family homes across the seven local authorities in and around the Maidenhead area.   Offering a managed service solution, JPS has developed a dedicated centre for Housing Solutions’ operatives within its Jewson branch in Maidenhead. Scott Cooper, Managing Director of JPS, said: “We’re very proud of our new partnership with Housing Solutions, which we know is going to have a significant impact on a community that need it.  Housing Solutions are focusing relentlessly on delivering high-quality housing and maintenance services. The service we’re providing will help support their commitment to provide housing stock of the highest possible quality. We look forward to working closely with Housing Solutions, supporting them in creating communities where residents are proud to live.”  Steven Brookfield, Director of Property and Development at Housing Solutions, commented: “One of our key priorities is to keep our residents’ homes in good condition and resolve any issues that arise quickly.  Our new partnership with Jewson means that we can continue to deliver rapid, high-quality repairs, ensuring that residents live in a safe, comfortable, and secure environment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
20,000 People Make the Switch to E-Communications

20,000 People Make the Switch to E-Communications

Leading property management company, Rendall & Rittner, is proud to announce that an impressive 20,000 of its residents have signed up for its e-communications platform. This achievement reflects Rendall & Rittner’s firm commitment to creating sustainable communities for people to live, work and play in. Having initially been recognised for its sustainable approach to property management in 2010, Rendall & Rittner has continued to strive for improvements to its robust ESG strategy. In 2023, the company received the first ever Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award at the ARMA Ace Awards. Key benefits of Rendall & Rittner’s e-communications solution include: Catherine Riva, CEO of Rendall & Rittner Ltd comments: “For many years, Rendall & Rittner has been committed to developing sustainable strategies and practices that are mindful of the wider impact of our work. By switching to e-communications, residents at the developments we manage have helped us to further minimise our environmental footprint. We want to say a big thank you to all the residents that have signed up so far.” Find out more at: https://www.rendallandrittner.co.uk/about-us/our-regions/south/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Fujitsu and TF Solutions celebrate 10th anniversary

Fujitsu and TF Solutions celebrate 10th anniversary

Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK and wholesaler TF Solutions are celebrating a successful 10-year working partnership. From the launch of its first branch in Stockport in 2001, TF Solutions has grown to 15 branches and is one of the UK’s leading air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump wholesalers. Now part of the Travis Perkins Group, the company has been selling Fujitsu equipment for the last decade. Sales and Business Development Director Andy Cherrill said: “It’s important in a partnership that you are working with a great business, great products and great people. With Fujitsu we are lucky to have all three and those are the reasons we have reached our 10-year milestone with them. I’m looking forward to an exciting future, collaborating together for success.” Ian Carroll, Chief Operating Officer at Fujitsu, said: “Congratulations to Andy and all the team at TF Solutions. This 10-year anniversary is a testament to the strength of our partnership. Their confidence in our products and services has helped us grow as a business. We are honoured to be part of this success story and look forward to building on that in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Why Construction Companies Need to Pay Extra Attention to Branding

Why Construction Companies Need to Pay Extra Attention to Branding

There’s one major misconception out there for construction companies, and it’s the fact that they don’t need to pay too much attention to marketing the company or their branding. It’s like there’s this idea that the work will easily come to them. To a small degree, yes, a lot of construction companies, particularly commercial construction companies, usually don’t need to market themselves too much because they usually keep the same clients for long periods of time.  But that doesn’t entirely mean that the company’s branding or how they market themselves doesn’t matter. Honestly, no matter what industry your business is in, there’s always going to be competition, so you’re always going to have to find a way to get known and stand out. So, with that said, here’s exactly why construction companies absolutely need to pay more attention to branding.  You’ll Be Establishing Way More Trust One thing any business needs to understand is the fact that trust is the foundation of any successful business relationship, and branding is a key driver in establishing trust with clients, partners, stakeholders, and general people in the industry too. You want people inside and outside of your industry to know that your construction company is a real company that people can trust, and honestly, having some strong branding with the help of a brand agency is really going to do the trick. So, if you want trust and credibility, than solid branding is the way to go.  It Shows Professionalism No matter the industry, all businesses, both big and small, need to show that they’re professional. A brand is more than just a logo or fancy lettering; you need to keep in mind that it goes way beyond that! It encapsulates the values, mission, and ethos of a company.  This helps prove that your brand is reliable, it’s dedicated to delivering excellence, and it’s organised. Prospective clients need to know that they’re going to be in the hands of a professional, and solid branding is honestly one of the best ways to show this.  It Shows Differentiation Most construction companies know that they can try to cater to everyone and that they’re going to have to niche down and specialise and branding is one of the easiest ways to show what makes your construction company different than other ones. It highlights your unique strengths, whether it’s expertise in a specific type of construction, a commitment to sustainability, or a reputation for innovation. Attracts Top Talent All companies want to hire the very best of the best: the very best talent that can help them take their construction company to new heights through their innovation, their ideas, their dedication, experience, and so on. But in order to get the best of the best, you have to have solid branding, nothing basic.  Construction projects require skilled professionals, and the best talent is often drawn to companies with a positive and compelling brand image. Your branding needs to reflect the culture of the company, the vision, the core message, prove the commitment to employee development, and, of course, safety. These are all a magnet for talent, and your branding needs to reflect elegantly. 

Read More »