The steel framework for a new city centre college campus has been completed as part of the council’s transformational Phase Two City Learning Quarter masterplan. Situated around the Old Hall Street and St George’s Parade area, incorporating a site on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where the
National Grid has achieved a significant milestone in its £1 billion London Power Tunnels 2 (LPT2) project, with the successful energisation of the first 2.5km circuit between Hurst substation and Crayford. This milestone marks the initial step in a broader effort to reinforce the capital’s electricity network, ensuring it meets
a&o Hostels, Europe’s largest privately owned hostel chain, has been making waves in the hospitality industry with its ambitious sustainability goals and strategic growth. Their commitment to converting existing properties into eco-friendly hostels is a testament to their innovative approach to building and construction, particularly in repurposing historic buildings for
TRANSFORMATIVE redevelopment plans are underway in Weybridge, Surrey, that will place educational, commercial and wellbeing opportunities at the heart of the community. The new Surrey County Council Weybridge Hub, located on the existing Weybridge Library site on Church Road, will include a new library, youth support service, activity area, and business space in a modern
Leading construction company Henry Brothers has partnered with the Scottish Prison Service to support its workshop joinery training programme, designed to improve employability skills for inmates upon release. As part of its ongoing work with the Dunfermline Army Reserve Project, Henry Brothers has acquired five eight-seater picnic tables produced through
Eric Wright Construction has started the building and fit out of a £22million college building for Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, which will deliver specialist education facilities for students aged 16-25. The new building for Royal College Manchester is made up of a reception and specialist classrooms along with
Author: Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx The construction machine industry is still in its early stages of electrification, with the first small electric machine only coming onto the market in 2015. However, IDTechEx’s new report, “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts”, highlights how the electric machines of
Deposit alternative specialists flatfair have announced a bumper month with Build To Rent (BTR) sector landlords. And CEO Gary Wright says that smaller, private landlords should follow the lead of the corporate providers in choosing the additional protection offered by their No Deposit scheme. He said: “Understandably, landlords feel they
Underinsurance is a persistent problem that leaves property owners vulnerable to significant losses, often caused by something as simple as an outdated reinstatement value. To address the growing issue of underinsurance head-on, the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS), which has more than 60 years’ experience in collating and analysing construction
Bellrock Group has been awarded a significant five-year hard FM (Facilities Management) contract with West Sussex County Council, valued at up to £10 million per annum. The contract, which spans over 200 corporate sites across nine property categories, will see the Bellrock team delivering planned preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance, and
The steel framework for a new city centre college campus has been completed as part of the council’s transformational Phase Two City Learning Quarter masterplan. Situated around the Old Hall Street and St George’s Parade area, incorporating a site on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where the former Faces nightclub building once stood, the development is also utilising City of Wolverhampton College’s existing Metro One building. McLaughlin & Harvey has now moved onto the next stage of works – which includes floor decking installation and concrete pour on all levels, façade works and roofing – and remain on course to deliver the new state-of-the-art facility in time for the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Alongside improved Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities, the £61 million scheme – supported by Government funding – will establish new educational provision that enhance skills and employment outcomes for residents across the city and wider region. Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “The City Learning Quarter has been a long-held ambition of the city council and fantastic progress is being made by the contractors in the creation of a vibrant education hub that will unlock future opportunities for all in the city. “We are working hard with City of Wolverhampton College to ensure we improve the city’s learning, apprenticeship and employment offers, and retain our best talent. “The steel framework alone is impressive and gives us a taste of how these new facilities will provide a vital facelift to our city centre. It will be an inspirational environment for people to learn in, also offering excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle routes. “We will be delivering an environment where everyone can flourish, demonstrating the commitment we have to investing in our residents.” Paul Davies, Director of Finance at the college, said: “The completion of the steelwork is a significant milestone in the construction of the new city centre site which will enable us to move from the Paget Road site and welcome students to the new campus in the 2025/26 academic year. “The City Learning Quarter, including the new Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre which is due to open at the Wellington Road campus this September, will transform the learning environment for thousands of students and apprentices, provide modern teaching facilities for staff, and ensure the workforce of the future is equipped with the skills and knowledge that employers need their staff to have.” Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, said: “The development of the City Learning Quarter to include Wolverhampton College provides exciting opportunities to not only the students of the college but will also help with the regeneration of the city centre. It is great to see the progress that has been made.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National Grid has achieved a significant milestone in its £1 billion London Power Tunnels 2 (LPT2) project, with the successful energisation of the first 2.5km circuit between Hurst substation and Crayford. This milestone marks the initial step in a broader effort to reinforce the capital’s electricity network, ensuring it meets the demands of the future. The LPT2 project involves the construction of 32.5km of new tunnels beneath London, stretching from Wimbledon to Crayford, to house a new high-voltage 275kV network. These 3m-diameter tunnels were bored by the Hochtief-Murphy Joint Venture (HMJV) between 2020 and 2023, with cables supplied by Taihan and installed by Balfour Beatty. The first circuit now sits 35m below ground, although the tunnels reach depths of up to 50m at certain points. The previous infrastructure between Hurst and Crayford was installed in 1967 and had served London reliably for decades, but the ageing cables were nearing the end of their operational life. These older cables were buried in shallow trenches, making them more susceptible to damage and harder to maintain. In contrast, the new LPT2 tunnels are equipped with vertical shafts between 9m and 15m wide, reaching depths of up to 55m. These shafts, located at key points along the tunnel route and covered by headhouses, provide ventilation and safe access for maintenance, reducing disruption and enhancing safety. In addition to the newly energised circuit, the LPT2 project includes two other double circuits: a 12km route between Wimbledon substation and New Cross, and an 18km route between New Cross and Hurst. A new substation at Bengeworth Road is also under construction, which will be the UK’s first to utilise SF6-free gas-insulated switchgear technology, marking a significant advancement in reducing the environmental impact of electrical infrastructure. Energy Minister Michael Shanks attended the energisation event, praising the project as a shining example of British engineering excellence. “The London Power Tunnels demonstrate British infrastructure at its best,” Shanks stated. “This project is not only about securing the future of London’s electricity supply but also about driving the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower. The engineering feats achieved here will help create skilled jobs and revitalise communities across the UK.” Alice Delahunty, President of National Grid Electricity Transmission, highlighted the importance of this milestone. “The energisation of the Hurst-Crayford circuit is a tremendous achievement for our teams and supply chain partners,” she said. “Building over 30km of tunnels under London has been an extraordinary engineering challenge, and this progress is a testament to everyone involved.” Raj Kundan, HMJV Project Director, reflected on the collaborative efforts that brought the project to this point. “Energising the first circuit from Hurst to Crayford marks a major milestone for the Project 13 Enterprise,” Kundan noted. “Our ‘One Team, One Spirit’ approach has been crucial in overcoming the complex challenges posed by this project. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration on the remaining circuits.” The current LPT2 project is the second phase of a larger initiative to bolster London’s electricity network. It follows the completion in 2018 of the first phase, a £1 billion, seven-year project that saw the construction of 32km of tunnels and two new substations in North London. Together, these efforts are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and future-ready electricity network for the capital. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
a&o Hostels, Europe’s largest privately owned hostel chain, has been making waves in the hospitality industry with its ambitious sustainability goals and strategic growth. Their commitment to converting existing properties into eco-friendly hostels is a testament to their innovative approach to building and construction, particularly in repurposing historic buildings for modern use. This strategy not only preserves the architectural heritage of European cities but also aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and green initiatives in the construction and hospitality sectors. Sustainable Growth through Building Conversions One of the most striking aspects of a&o’s expansion strategy is their focus on converting existing office and commercial properties into hostel accommodations. This approach significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with new construction, contributing to their goal of becoming Europe’s first net-zero hostel chain by 2025. The company’s sustainability report for 2023 highlights a 77% reduction in CO2 emissions per overnight stay since 2015, with current emissions standing at just 3.32 kilograms of CO2e per night. The environmental benefits of repurposing buildings are substantial. By avoiding the emissions linked to new construction, a&o is helping to conserve resources and reduce waste. Experts suggest that the carbon savings from these conversions could equal the emissions of up to 30 years of operation. This approach not only enhances the sustainability of their operations but also preserves the unique character of historic buildings, allowing guests to experience a piece of history during their stay. Embracing Green Renovations To further their green initiatives, a&o has committed to investing 20 million euros by 2029 in energy-efficient renovations of their existing properties. These renovations aim to achieve at least energy efficiency class C for every building, ensuring that the hostels are not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective in the long term. A prime example of this is the recent modernisation of a&o’s Munich Hackerbrücke hostel, where around 5 million euros were spent on renovations to improve energy efficiency. Such efforts are part of a&o’s broader strategy to enhance the sustainability of their property portfolio, which currently consists of 39 hostels across nine European countries. A New Chapter in Brighton The recent opening of a&o Brighton, the company’s second UK property, exemplifies their commitment to sustainable growth and building conversion. The hostel is housed in a listed Regency-era building that once served as a hotel in 1819. By converting this historic property into a modern hostel, a&o has not only preserved its architectural heritage but also breathed new life into a structure with deep historical significance. Located in the heart of Brighton, with stunning views of the famous Brighton Pier, the hostel offers 50 rooms with a total of 186 beds. The property includes a Victorian-style lobby bar and a characterful restaurant, maintaining the building’s original charm while providing modern amenities for guests. Expanding with a Green Conscience As part of their growth strategy, a&o plans to continue expanding across Europe, with potential new locations in London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, and other major cities. The company is focused on sustainable growth, ensuring that each new property aligns with their long-term vision of sustainability and green practices. Their success in integrating sustainability into their business model is further evidenced by their record-breaking performance in 2023, with 6.1 million overnight stays and a turnover of 217 million euros. This momentum is likely to continue as the company leverages its sustainability credentials to attract environmentally conscious travellers. Leading the Way in Sustainable Hospitality a&o Hostels’ commitment to sustainability and green construction practices is setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. By converting existing buildings and investing in energy-efficient renovations, they are not only reducing their carbon footprint but also preserving the architectural heritage of Europe’s cities. As they continue to expand, a&o’s model of sustainable growth serves as an inspiration for the wider industry, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve business success while also protecting the environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TRANSFORMATIVE redevelopment plans are underway in Weybridge, Surrey, that will place educational, commercial and wellbeing opportunities at the heart of the community. The new Surrey County Council Weybridge Hub, located on the existing Weybridge Library site on Church Road, will include a new library, youth support service, activity area, and business space in a modern multi-use environment. Integrating closely with the local community, lettable tenants will be able to make use of the commercial areas, with a bookable co-working system in place for local businesses and visiting guests. Regional broadcaster Brooklands Radio will also be a part of the new Weybridge Hub when it opens in Spring 2025. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is working with Surrey County Council and AtkinsRealis on the project, delivering principal design, interior design, architecture and landscape architecture services. The firm is also operating as lead designer via the Surrey Framework for RIBA Stages 1-3, and now as technical advisor for RIBA Stage 4. Sainaja Feroz, associate at Pick Everard, said: “This is an exciting project that will make a real difference to local people in Weybridge and anyone travelling to this part of Surrey. Having a central community space is so important for the future of our towns and cities, and this new hub is a perfect example of the way in which old spaces can be reshaped and revitalised to meet modern needs, with a host of services under one roof. “The project builds on our extensive working knowledge operating under the Surrey Framework, and we’re looking forward to the hub taking shape and becoming a welcoming environment for families, businesses, and a host of local organisations for generations to come.” Natalie Bramhall, Surrey County Council cabinet member for infrastructure, property and waste, said: “We are pleased to be working with Pick Everard on our new Weybridge Hub. We have been reviewing existing spaces within the county to ensure we are making the most of our assets, investing in infrastructure and providing modern, accessible and sustainable spaces for the future benefit of residents both young and old. “The new Community Hubs form part of this, with the offering at each hub tailored to the specific needs of the surrounding neighbourhood.” Flexibility and accessibility have been key to the design of the new community hub in Weybridge, with the site sitting within a conservation area and adjacent to listed buildings, including St. James Parish Church, which is view protected. The external fabric of the new building will be enhanced to modernise and increase its longevity, while also complying with recommendations given by heritage and planning consultants. Devika Parmar, director at Pick Everard, said: “The scheme at Weybridge has relied on close stakeholder management, which has enabled us to produce an aesthetic that enhances the building’s layout and uses while retaining its existing character. “Early engagement with building control has allowed the programme to really accelerate, gaining valuable feedback during design development stages that will deliver a fantastic new space for the community of Weybridge.” The design will also consider sustainability objectives, with an aim to achieve the highest energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets under LETI guidance. Following a TM54 assessment, the building improvements are predicted to result in a 68% reduction in energy consumption and a 78.3% reduction in total carbon emissions. The project also forms part of Surrey County Council’s 2030 vision and asset management strategy, which aims to enhance community spaces for people of all ages while promoting services and activities for the community, including ‘safe spaces’ and 24/7 requirements. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading construction company Henry Brothers has partnered with the Scottish Prison Service to support its workshop joinery training programme, designed to improve employability skills for inmates upon release. As part of its ongoing work with the Dunfermline Army Reserve Project, Henry Brothers has acquired five eight-seater picnic tables produced through the Prison Service training initiative. Ian Henry, CR Director at Henry Brothers, commented: “As a responsible business, Henry Brothers is passionate about supporting the areas in which it operates and providing opportunities to enhance local spaces. “This initiative embodies our core values, reflecting our commitment to social responsibility and collaboration for positive impact, and we are thrilled that we can give back in a way that benefits the wider community.” Henry Brothers, which has an office in Cardross, Dunbartonshire, secured the contract for the construction of the new Army Reserve Centre in Dunfermline in 2022. The five tables purchased will be generously donated to Fife Council for Dunfermline Public Park, Pittencreiff Park and St Leonard’s Park in line with the objectives of the Park Improvement Strategy. Adele Rae, General Manager at SPS Fauldhouse said: “Individuals in the care of the Scottish Prison Service have been involved in the manufacturing of a range of quality garden products for over 35 years. “The joinery training programmes in our prisons give people the opportunity to gain valuable new skills and qualifications and make positive changes to their lives. “We are delighted to see that their work is benefiting the local community in Dunfermline”. Fife Council’s Convener of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, Cllr James Calder commented: “Henry Brothers plays a vital role in community support, and its recent generous donation will have a notable impact. “The contributed benches are expected to enhance our outdoor facilities, encouraging increased use of the park and contributing to the improved health and well-being of the local community by fostering a connection with nature. “The success of the Park Improvement Strategy, which seeks to upgrade facilities for residents, workers, and visitors alike, is dependent, in part, on contributions from responsible local businesses such as Henry Brothers and we are thrilled to have their support in this endeavour.” For more information about the company’s’ extensive corporate responsibility programme, visit henrybrothers.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Eric Wright Construction has started the building and fit out of a £22million college building for Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, which will deliver specialist education facilities for students aged 16-25. The new building for Royal College Manchester is made up of a reception and specialist classrooms along with sports and administration facilities. The building will also incorporate a café, activity hall with extended climbing wall, fitness suite, rebound room, sensory integration room and a suite of flexible multi-purpose rooms at ground floor level, with contemporary office space above and external landscaping. The building will provide 12 new classrooms and six individual teaching spaces. Seashell provides support for young people with complex disabilities and communication needs. The specially equipped college building is designed to enable staff and students to move about with the minimum of restriction. It replaces an existing building which was not fit for purpose and did not have space for the adaptations needed to accommodate many of the students, some of whom use wheelchairs and other equipment to move about. Some students also live on campus in neighbouring residential homes. Commenting on the start on site, James Eager, Director Lead from Eric Wright Construction said: “We’re really pleased to have started on the delivery of this superb new college building which will really enhance the lives of the students and staff alike. The building has gone through a painstaking design and review process in collaboration with the Trust’s teaching team, with every element of its design tailored to meet the needs of the students.” Brandon Leigh, Chief Executive at Seashell, said: “Watching the building finally start to take shape is exciting and we can’t wait to see students and staff enjoying the building very soon. The new college building will mean improved accessibility for students and will be much better at meeting the needs of the young adults with complex disabilities who come to Seashell. Seeing the building complete will be a monumental point in our history!” Eric Wright started enabling works in January and the building is expected to complete in Autumn 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Author: Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx The construction machine industry is still in its early stages of electrification, with the first small electric machine only coming onto the market in 2015. However, IDTechEx’s new report, “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts”, highlights how the electric machines of today are bigger and better than their predecessors from less than 10 years ago. OEMs worldwide are picking up the pace of electric machine development, and IDTechEx finds the industry will grow to be worth over US$126 billion in 2044. Digging force of electric vs. diesel mini-excavators. Source: IDTechEx Machine performance continues to improve The first electric machines to come onto the scene were mini-excavators. Their smaller sizes and less intense workloads made them the ideal testing ground for construction electrification. Many construction companies’ concerns then were whether these electric machines could withstand the demands of the job site and deliver similar performance to diesel engines. IDTechEx’s new report finds that electric mini-excavators are now at a point of development where they can match diesel on virtually all key metrics. EVs offer up equivalent or even superior power to diesel machines, with models from Kato and Wacker Neuson able to generate 30-60% more digging force than an average diesel machine of the same size. Significant improvements have been seen in the runtime of these machines too. Where the first machines on the market only achieved 4 to 6 hours of operation on a single charge, newer machines can manage up to 8 hours of operation (a full workday) as standard. Persistent battery development has played a huge part in this increase, and IDTechEx expects runtimes to reach 9 to 10 hours in the near future. Large excavators and loaders are coming to the fore While mini-excavators dominated the early phases of electric construction machine growth and are still the market’s largest segment, the development focus has pivoted onto large excavators and wheel loaders. Together, these two machine types made up 35% of all equipment sales in 2023 and are some of the heaviest emitters of greenhouse gases on the job site, contributing to over 50% of all construction machine emissions. Their electrification is, therefore, key to furthering the decarbonization of the global construction industry. As the rate of new electric machine models entering production has increased from 2019 to 2023, so has the size of these machines. Where 3-tonne mini-excavators once represented the height of electric machine technology, multiple OEMs now have large excavator models weighing 20 tonnes or greater. The Chinese OEM Know-How even started producing a 52-tonne electric excavator in 2023, which is by far the largest seen to date. Wheel loaders have reached a similar stage, with new 20-tonne machines now being the norm for electrification. Bigger machines necessitate bigger and more advanced battery systems, and the rise of electric excavators and wheel loaders has seen battery sizes in construction shoot up dramatically over the last 5 years. The maximum battery size installed in newly produced models has consistently gone up from ~30 kWh in 2018 – used in mini-excavators and similar compact machines – to over 500 kWh in 2023. The Know-How 52-tonne excavator is equipped with an enormous 700 kWh battery, which IDTechEx estimates would cost US$210,000 on its own and weigh over 3.5 tonnes. What’s next for EV construction machines? Many of the larger machines now entering the market have already gone down the same path as mini-excavators in matching the performance of diesel counterparts. OEMs are at a stage where performance parity is no longer challenging to achieve and are focused on expanding their EV portfolios into bigger machines and new equipment types. Chinese OEMs have been market leaders in this sense, developing larger excavators and wheel loaders while also being proactive in the electrification of mobile cranes weighing in the hundreds of tonnes. Battery advancements will play a huge part in determining the future of the electric construction industry. OEMs currently achieve battery pricing far above what is seen in the automotive market, but increasing the scale of EV production and setting up dedicated supply chains will help bring down costs. At the same time, improving the efficiency of existing battery technologies and bringing in more advanced Li-ion and future battery technologies will widen the types of machines that can be electrified and further enhance their performance. The new IDTechEx report “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts” provides deeper analysis of the future of the electric construction machine industry. It finds that the industry will grow at a CAGR of 21% to reach US$126 billion in value by 2044. For more information and downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/EVConstruction. For the full portfolio of electric vehicle market research available from IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/EV. Upcoming free-to-attend webinar….. The Electric Future of Construction: EV Machines On The Rise Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx and author of this article, will be presenting a free-to-attend webinar on the topic on Thursday 5 September 2024 – The Electric Future of Construction: EV Machines On The Rise. This webinar will include: We will be holding exactly the same webinar three times in one day. Please register for the session that is most convenient for you. Click here to check the timings and register for your specific time zone. If you are unable to make the date, please register anyway to receive the links to the on-demand recording (available for a limited time) and webinar slides as soon as they are available. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Deposit alternative specialists flatfair have announced a bumper month with Build To Rent (BTR) sector landlords. And CEO Gary Wright says that smaller, private landlords should follow the lead of the corporate providers in choosing the additional protection offered by their No Deposit scheme. He said: “Understandably, landlords feel they are living in uncertain times. Local authority licensing is on the increase and the Renters Rights Bill is just around the corner. “It’s not surprising that the bigger providers are looking at the rental landscape and seeking out as much protection as they can for their investments.” July was a record month for No Deposit plans from flatfair’s BTR partners with 80% more plans sold than the same month last year. Their deposit alternative option is offered at approximately 77% of live BTR units and their customers include many of the most respected names in the industry, such as Greystar, Native Residential and urbanbubble. Wright explained that flatfair offers free protection of up to 10 weeks’ worth of damages and/or rent arrears for landlords and if the amount owed exceeds this, flatfair pays the landlords upfront while recovering the debts themselves. Fully recovered “With the extra protection offered with our deposit alternative, there can be a misconception that it costs landlords money. But it is completely free for both agents and landlords and they unlock double the amount of protection in the event of damage to property or rent arrears at the end of the tenancy. “There can also be a mistaken belief that deposit alternatives attract a poorer quality of tenant but in our case, the vast majority of No Deposit tenancies have closed without charges or they have been settled in full by the tenant. “The remainder have set up repayment plans for the money to be fully recovered on behalf of the landlord. “A month on after the election, we can clearly see the direction of travel – that is very tenant-focused – landlords will be bound to be feeling pressure. “The BTR sector – as a group of very large landlords – are absolutely committed to this product and see the value of it and we firmly believe that agents and smaller landlords would feel the benefit if they followed suit. They are the lifeblood of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and they should feel that their businesses are safe and secure.” Wright recounted the story of an agent client who also let their own property with No Deposit: “Their tenants’ charges exceeded 10 weeks’ worth of damages and unpaid rent. In this particular case, they received 5 weeks’ worth of rent plus additional payment for redecoration, cleaning and repairs – full recovery. They said they were paid more than they would have received through a traditional deposit scheme and it saved them a lot of hassle chasing down the debt. “The bigger BTR players have already realised this and there is no reason why private landlords should miss out.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Underinsurance is a persistent problem that leaves property owners vulnerable to significant losses, often caused by something as simple as an outdated reinstatement value. To address the growing issue of underinsurance head-on, the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS), which has more than 60 years’ experience in collating and analysing construction costs, has partnered with risk management firm Intelligent AI to provide a service that produces reinstatement cost assessments at the touch of a button. The BCIS Intelligent Rebuild Cost Platform draws from multiple data sources to create rebuild cost reports for residential and commercial properties, including BCIS reinstatement data, planning applications and satellite imagery. Crucially the platform can report on everything from individual residential properties to multi-billion-pound commercial portfolios, enabling annual assessments where previously a rolling-check every three or four years might have been all that was possible. James Fiske, BCIS CEO, said: “We help property professionals to not only access high-quality data, but to understand the most appropriate data for them. Sadly it’s not uncommon to find unreliable sources of data being used to inform sometimes major business decisions. “This could be a property owner simply using market valuations for declared reinstatement values, or using inappropriate indices, like general inflation, to estimate movement in rebuild costs. In some larger organisations, there can be issues with data management where figures have been passed between teams, have come through an acquisition, or nobody is quite sure what the original source is. “The use of problematic data is of course not limited to reinstatement values, but the financial risk in this area could be the most significant one a property owner or portfolio manager has, if they are exposed to considerable loss through underinsurance. On the flip side, having a clearer view of the rebuild costs also helps to avoid overinsurance, and overpaying on a policy.” BCIS polled more than 200 professionals, predominantly from surveying and insurance roles, and asked what factors they thought contributed most to incorrect reinstatement valuations. More than one-third (36%) said a lack of regular re-evaluations, 24% said changes in construction costs, and 20% said inaccurate initial assessments. Fiske said: “We know policyholders want to be adequately covered, but annual site visits for a whole portfolio may be unfeasible. From portfolio managers using IRCP to perform an immediate risk assessment to surveyors using pre-populated assessments as a starting point, the intention is to improve efficiencies, save time, and reduce risk for everyone in the process.” Using reliable, verified data is crucial to reducing instances of underinsurance and is the driving principle at the heart of the platform. BCIS reinstatement data alone constitutes more than 1,100 dwelling models and 650 ancillary models, representing a wide range of supporting structures, components, and features. These models are built upon input costs derived from upwards of 12,500 regularly updated supply prices, as well as labour, plant, and specialist rates, in total producing more than four million rebuilding cost permutations. Estimates of the prevalence of underinsurance in residential and commercial policies vary, but with the onus on professionals to ensure they have done everything they can to minimise risk, it represents an area of huge concern. In the BCIS poll of professionals, the majority said they encounter underinsurance issues related to reinstatement valuations either frequently (29%) or occasionally (30%). Less than one-quarter (22%) said they rarely did, and just 13% said never. A recent survey commissioned by Aviva[1] found 73% of brokers are worried that some of their clients may be underinsured and they ranked underinsurance second on a list of market challenges they are concerned about. Intelligent AI CEO Anthony Peake said another key aim of the platform, which has been developed using groundbreaking AI tools, together with support from Lloyd’s Lab and leading insurers, is to provide the industry with the tools necessary to communicate the importance of reliable and regular assessments. He said: “We’re essentially trying to avert disaster. Whether that’s a residential property where a few hundred pounds difference in the premium could save the customer potentially missing out on hundreds of thousands of pounds in a payout, or a commercial portfolio where the declared value is upwards of a billion, it’s about safeguarding people’s homes and livelihoods should the worst happen. “In a recent test we did with an insurer, analysing a portfolio of 355 commercial properties, we found the reinstatement value to be £1.17bn underinsured. “In the poll, the top three barriers to customers updating their coverage to avoid underinsurance were cost considerations, lack of understanding and lack of awareness. Policyholders need to understand the potential consequences and what they can do about it.” Underinsurance is not a new issue, but it has been exacerbated in recent years by rampant inflation, which particularly impacted construction materials prices. Annual growth in the ABI/BCIS House Rebuilding Cost Index peaked at 19.4% at the end of 2022, representing a significant hike in the costs associated with rebuilding a property. The vast majority of professionals polled said rising construction costs have had either a significant (71%) or moderate (24%) impact on their customers or clients in the last two years. Cos Kamasho, BCIS Asset Data Manager, said: “Although inflation has cooled, and we’re not seeing those massive spikes now, there are still lots of external influences that can push up costs. “Annual growth in the BCIS Labour Cost Index, which tracks movement in trade wage agreements, for example, is at a 20-year high, and there are widely reported skills shortages in the industry. Changes to building regulations can also greatly impact rebuild values as properties have to be rebuilt to the current standard, not what was in place when the property was first built. “Inflation coming down doesn’t necessarily mean prices have come down. The cost of many materials in construction remain at historic highs, so using an up-to-date data source is vital.” To find out more about the BCIS Intelligent Rebuild Cost Platform please visit: https://bcis.co.uk/product/bcis-ircp/ For more information about BCIS, please visit: www.bcis.co.uk and for more information on
Bellrock Group has been awarded a significant five-year hard FM (Facilities Management) contract with West Sussex County Council, valued at up to £10 million per annum. The contract, which spans over 200 corporate sites across nine property categories, will see the Bellrock team delivering planned preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance, and project support services. This partnership underscores Bellrock’s commitment to maintaining a diverse and complex portfolio of properties with precision and care. West Sussex County Council selected Bellrock for this contract due to the company’s emphasis on long-term maintenance strategies and its commitment to reducing the council’s reactive maintenance expenditure. The mobilisation phase began on 1st July, with full-service delivery set to commence in October 2024. Paul Bean, CEO of Bellrock, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating, “This is a significant achievement and a pivotal new client for us. Safeguarding such a varied range of properties is a considerable responsibility, but one we are proud to undertake. We have strategically grown our business and enhanced our capabilities to deliver top-tier services where they are most needed.” In addition to its core FM services, Bellrock has pledged to collaborate closely with West Sussex County Council to develop social value initiatives aligned with the council’s Social Value Framework. These initiatives are designed to generate positive impacts for the local community and environment. Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property at West Sussex County Council, commented, “We are delighted to award this contract to Bellrock, whose tender was both highly competitive and comprehensive. This represents a significant shift in how West Sussex County Council will approach the delivery of hard FM in the future. I particularly welcome Bellrock’s commitment to working with us on our shared social value objectives. I anticipate a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
