Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “Properties are going under offer at an alarming pace at the moment and buyers continue to swarm the market despite the dwindling hopes of a stamp duty reprieve. There also remains a severe shortage of stock to meet this demand and so
With ever-increasing market demands for more robust and flexible façade systems, Kawneer, the leading manufacturer of architectural aluminium glazing systems has launched a new version of its successful AA®100 and AA®110 curtain wall products. In addition to a +/- 5mm building expansion joint for its SSG curtain wall variant and a higher weight capacity for its capped option, one of the key enhancements is a concealed vent option within the product to help
Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce the completion of the comprehensive refurbishment of a 74,600 sqft building to Grade A standard logistics, storage and distribution warehouses at Aberdeen One, a new urban logistics park in the Altens Industrial Estate on the south side of Aberdeen. Working closely
Willmott Dixon Interiors has furthered its track-record for transforming the interior of iconic London buildings, with the construction of new office accommodation at the Grade I-listed National Gallery. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has delivered additional space and state-of-the-art facilities in the east ground floor and part of the
The pandemic has given a golden opportunity for online businesses to grow in the hyper-competitive digital market. With more and more people relying on online shopping, companies are starting to focus more on their digital presence. It doesn’t mean you have to shut the doors of your brick-and-mortar store. However,
The removal of asbestos is a crucial aspect of waste management in construction sites, factories, and even homes. However, many risks are involved in asbestos containment and disposal, and any wrong move puts workers and the general public in danger. This article will go through the best practices for properly
Buying a condo, or any other home is very exciting for a first-time home buyer. While townhouses and single-family homes attract a lot of upkeep charges, owning a condo doesn’t. So this is a great way of enjoying homeownership without necessarily breaking the bank. The best part is, you get
FOLLOWING the outbreak of Covid-19, the construction industry was forced to move many of its processes online and modernise at a rapid rate in order to stay afloat. As we start to come through the pandemic and restrictions are beginning to ease, many of these practices have been implemented permanently
SINCE its publication in late 2020, the Construction Playbook has been a huge focus for change across the industry. Through effective use, the industry will be able to build back better and drive truly transformative change through a sector-wide collaborative effort. National framework provider Pagabo brought together a panel of
Network Rail has awarded civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale a contract to carry out a programme of key access upgrades at Finsbury Park station. The principal focus will be the installation of two new lifts to the island platforms serving the national rail network. The works continue the upgrade
Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “Properties are going under offer at an alarming pace at the moment and buyers continue to swarm the market despite the dwindling hopes of a stamp duty reprieve. There also remains a severe shortage of stock to meet this demand and so sellers are achieving a very good price for their property, often at, or in excess of the original asking price. While a reduction in buyer demand is expected towards the back end of this year, the scales will remain firmly tipped in favour of sellers due to the imbalance between supply and demand and so we should see a buoyant level of property price appreciation remain for the duration of the year.” Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “We’re currently seeing huge rates of house price growth not seen since some time before the last property market crash. There’s no end in sight where this current market performance is concerned, despite some having predicted a market slump on and off since the pandemic first started. It’s important to remember that while the market did show signs of slowing down as we approached the original stamp duty deadline, we’re now looking at a very different market altogether. People are returning to work and life is gradually returning to a greater sense of normality and so the stimulation of a stamp duty saving is no longer required in order to maintain market activity. London, in particular, is showing strong signs of a shift in momentum across both the rentals and sales market. This is being driven by a realisation that we can’t work from a secluded countryside bolthole forever and now that we are returning to the workplace, a lengthy commute on a stuffy train is no longer as manageable when it’s required five days a week instead of one or two.” Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “The stamp duty holiday isn’t the be-all and end-all where homeownership is concerned and it certainly isn’t the primary factor causing buyers to enter the market at mass. So its tapered expiry is unlikely to cause current levels of market activity to evaporate overnight. Once both the initial and extended deadlines have expired, the fires of buyer demand will continue to be stoked by the availability of 95% mortgage products and very low interest rates. Of course, there will be some period of natural market realignment after such a sustained period of manic activity, but we’re worlds away from seeing a property market crash.” Matthew Cooper, Founder & Managing Director of Yes Homebuyers, commented: “It’s crunch time for the UK market and we can expect to see a far less positive outlook from here on out where house price appreciation is concerned. For far too long, homebuyers have been borrowing beyond their means and offering above the odds in a desperate scramble to secure a stamp duty holiday saving. Now that this is starting to slip through their fingers we will see a reduction in transaction levels and the inevitable decline in property prices that will soon follow.”
With ever-increasing market demands for more robust and flexible façade systems, Kawneer, the leading manufacturer of architectural aluminium glazing systems has launched a new version of its successful AA®100 and AA®110 curtain wall products. In addition to a +/- 5mm building expansion joint for its SSG curtain wall variant and a higher weight capacity for its capped option, one of the key enhancements is a concealed vent option within the product to help produce a beautiful, finished aesthetic to a building’s façade. Designed specifically for the AA®100 and AA®110 systems in either capped or SSG variants, the concealed vent option utilises a structurally bonded glazed unit and slim aluminium profiles, allowing Kawneer curtain wall systems to be installed with no visible external framing. This provides designers, specifiers and architects with the flexibility and freedom to create a flush finish to the external facade, while satisfying ventilation requirements for optimised comfort. Contemporary building façade design also requires larger glass panes, with unobstructed views and increased natural light. The new enhancements result in the AA®110 being able to accommodate glazing up to a 50mm depth in the capped system and withstand a maximum weight capacity of 180kg. Available as a top hung vent or a parallel opening window, both types can be manually operated or motorised, using neatly concealed chain drives and integrated locking drives to achieve a seamless internal finish. The AA®110 concealed vent has undergone full CWCT Sequence B testing as part of a larger curtain wall assembly, with proven weather performance. Furthermore, the window has been RC2 security tested to EN 1627, which is the same classification as the existing AA®100 and AA®110 curtain wall systems. As with the AA®100 system, the AA®110 offers a range of construction methods, including zone-drainage and mullion-drainage. Also, advanced thermal break technologies provide superior thermal performance that meet and exceed building regulations. Kawneer’s Technical Director, Gary Ledger commented: “Together with our new +/- 5mm SSG expansion joint and increased weight capacity, the concealed vent option subsequently gives architects ultimate design freedom with our enhanced AA®110 curtain wall product by combining exceptional product performance with visual aesthetics and occupancy comfort.”
Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce the completion of the comprehensive refurbishment of a 74,600 sqft building to Grade A standard logistics, storage and distribution warehouses at Aberdeen One, a new urban logistics park in the Altens Industrial Estate on the south side of Aberdeen. Working closely with client Titan Investors, SGP reconfigured the existing building into two units of 28,000 sqft and 40,000 sqft (plus office provision), with the former being a shell only refurbishment and the latter pre-let to FedEx. Explains Marcus Madden-Smith, Partner at SGP: “Aberdeen One is a new area for logistics at the popular Altens Industrial Estate, historically well established in the oil and gas industry but equally able to diversify to meet the growing demand for logistics and distribution hubs in the area. We took the decision to reuse, repurpose and refurbish the existing structure as a sustainable alternative to demolishing it. We developed the size and layout of the units and surrounding service yard to meet the needs of the local market and our client has already disclosed the likelihood of future phases on site.” In addition to new internal walls to create the subdivision, the external envelop has been reclad with a neutral palette of grey and white cladding, creating a contemporary modern look. Additional level access doors have been added to both units. Unit 1 includes a new external office area, plus eight dock levellers, three of which are to accommodate the double deck trailers of European lorries. Concludes Marcus: “These new units at Aberdeen One are the latest in SGP’s continuing development of Scottish projects. Our knowledge of the technical aspects of the Scottish planning system and the positive working relationship with the Aberdeen City Council planners and warrant office made the process efficient and we look forward to working with them on future phases of the site.”
Willmott Dixon Interiors has furthered its track-record for transforming the interior of iconic London buildings, with the construction of new office accommodation at the Grade I-listed National Gallery. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor has delivered additional space and state-of-the-art facilities in the east ground floor and part of the existing basement areas of the world-famous gallery on Trafalgar Square. The scheme, called the Accommodation Hub, has created a six-floor courtyard infill extension that will provide offices for over 250 members of staff who will be relocating from existing offices in the neighbouring St Vincent House and the Gallery’s Wilkins Building. The back of house works included the removal of partitions, subdivisions and lowered ceilings throughout the central ground floor area and the creation of a modern and flexible working environment with high ceilings. Two covered atria have been created in the office lightwell and Belvedere lightwells, and new floors have been inserted in the eight-storey office lightwell to provide new office space. The basement areas have also been overhauled to provide additional storage and meeting space and the original brickwork of the extended part of the building, designed by Edward M Barry, has been sympathetically restored. It is the latest project to be completed by Willmott Dixon Interiors at the National Gallery, following the contractor’s complete refurbishment of Gallery 32, which reopened to the public as ‘The Julia and Hans Rausing Room’ in July 2020. One of the largest and most visited rooms of the National Gallery, it displays 17th-century Italian paintings by artists including Caravaggio, Artemisia and Orazio Gentileschi, Guido Reni and Guercino. Graham Shaw, managing director of Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: ”It has been a real privilege to deliver further enhancements to the National Gallery. The creation of new and modern office accommodation will greatly benefit the gallery’s existing workforce, providing significantly upgraded facilities that will offer opportunities for flexible working and collaboration. We’re incredibly proud to have delivered this project following the successful full refurbishment of Gallery 32 last year. It further demonstrates our track-record for transforming historic buildings and improving visitor experiences for years to come.” Delivered by main contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors, the project team included architects, Purcell; structural engineer, The Morton Partnership; Andrew Reid & Partners as services engineer; Faithful+Gould as QS and commissioning manager; fire consultant, IFC; planning consultant, Montagu Evans; and acoustic consultant, Waterman Acoustics.
The pandemic has given a golden opportunity for online businesses to grow in the hyper-competitive digital market. With more and more people relying on online shopping, companies are starting to focus more on their digital presence. It doesn’t mean you have to shut the doors of your brick-and-mortar store. However, going digital is incredibly important to ensure that your business succeeds in the modern business landscape. Focus on Customer Retention Bringing new customers to your store is important for your business growth, but it’s much harder than retaining your old customers. Customers who did business with you during the downturn will most likely become your loyal customers. To retain your existing customers, you can give exciting promotional offers, such as free trial periods or exciting gifts. This may cost your business a few bucks, but it will build client’s trust in your brand and strengthen your relationship with your customers. For instance, Neil Patel made UberSuggest available for free after lockdown restrictions were lifted. While he did not receive many paid membership registrations, he did receive a wonderful response from grateful users. Most importantly, he saw large increase to traffic on his website. Go Completely Digital The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on people looking to move their business online. With travel and transport restrictions, huge numbers of businesses wanting to get their eCommerce store set up online. More and more retailers are investing in SEO, SEM, mobile application development, social media campaigns, and other digital marketing channels to grow their business. You’re probably already familiar with the digital marketing tools, but the global pandemic has taught us a range of new ways to grow your digital presence online. For example, language companies saw significant growth in their digital business as a large number of students in foreign locations applied for e-learning online. Similarly, food companies made everything digital by implementing tracking software apps, automating email communications, using digital invoices and accounting software tools. Promote Exciting Deals As companies are starting to reopen, the best way to keep more and more people coming in is by running the exceptional ad and promotional programs. Promotional programs will bring more new customers to your business while building engagement with your existing clients. This idea works wonders in just about any industry – be it a cleaning agency or a company offering baby changing unit services. Consider offer free and discounted offers as incentives to convince customers to buy your products or services. Magnetic marketing no longer works in this day and age. You can’t message every customer asking them to do business with you. If you want the best results, you need to run targeted campaigns to build customer engagement and bring your target audience to your business. Change Your Approach towards Your Audience The pandemic has affected every business as well as every individual in different ways. While some people suffered financial losses, others may have lost a family member or friend. The pandemic also changed people’s priorities and revolutionized the way they work. So how can you use this opportunity to your advantage? You can start by asking your customers how they are doing and how the pandemic has affected their life. What are their pain points? It’s important that you put effort to get to know your post-COVID-19 customers. The better your communication strategies, the stronger the bond you will share with your audience. Plus, your customers will feel safe doing business with you. Embrace Paid Advertising Tools SEO is great and it undoubtedly works wonders, but relying on SEO alone is not the best way to get results. Pay-per-click advertising is one of the fastest and most effective ways to bring your audience to your company’s landing page or your brick-and-mortar store. Additionally, it helps you reach out to a wider audience. However, paid advertising doesn’t mean you should put all your resources into all social channels. Select a few social media sites and run a paid ad campaign on these sites to extend your business’s reach. Find out where your audience is spending their time and then choose a platform you can use to connect with a wider audience. Focus on Content Content is King! Even if you are running advertising campaigns, it is important to provide content that offers value to your customers. Get ideas from your competitors’ social media to learn more about the type of content they share and if it’s reusable. The quality of your content is the most important thing! This brings new customers to your business while retaining existing clients. Many businesses went digital in the midst of the pandemic to maintain cash flow and continue serving their customers through the difficult times. Now that the restrictions are almost completely lifted, businesses are wondering how to maintain their digital presence while managing their physical or local presence. Follow the above tips to build your digital presence and grow your business in the online world.
The removal of asbestos is a crucial aspect of waste management in construction sites, factories, and even homes. However, many risks are involved in asbestos containment and disposal, and any wrong move puts workers and the general public in danger. This article will go through the best practices for properly containing and disposing of asbestos but first, let’s start with some basic education. What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a highly durable but dangerous mineral formed from six different natural fiber properties. These properties make asbestos nearly indestructible and a favorite material for construction, roofing, floor tiles, and other building materials. Asbestos is a highly durable but dangerous mineral formed from six different natural fiber properties. These properties make asbestos nearly indestructible and a favorite material for construction, roofing, floor tiles, and other building materials. However, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, have led to numerous lawsuits and asbestos claim payouts to compensate victims for the harm caused by this hazardous substance. If you believe you have been affected, it’s crucial to seek legal advice to understand your rights and potential compensation. While this mineral is famous for its resistance to heat, fire, and sound, it also causes health complications. If asbestos becomes airborne and is ingested or inhaled, it can cause deadly illnesses like cancer or lung disease. A 2018 report from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health states that asbestos exposure leads to an estimated 250,000 deaths worldwide every year. To curb the number of unnecessary deaths, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created strict regulations defining how asbestos-containing materials should be handled, including how to properly package and dispose of the materials. Additionally, workers who may come into contact with asbestos are required to complete an asbestos awareness course. This training equips them to recognize risks early, follow correct safety procedures, and minimize potential hazards before they escalate. Companies that violate any of these rules or regulations will incur hefty fines and penalties. Best Asbestos Abatement Practices Asbestos is no joke! Adhering to these five best practices during the abatement process can help prevent potential health hazards and avoid hefty fines. 1. Consider Hiring a Professional Asbestos is a dangerous material and should only be handled by licensed asbestos abatement professionals. They can help assess the severity of a project and have the resources to take care of the issue in a timely and cost-effective manner. An abatement professional will also be up-to-date on all local and federal rules and regulations. 2. Prepare the Area by Following Safety Protocols Before remediation begins, the area must be prepped to prevent accidental exposure to workers or the general public. A job site can be prepped by sealing off the area with plastic, hanging caution signs around the perimeter, and turning off any ventilation systems in the building. 3. Wear the Appropriate Safety Protection Personal protective equipment (PPE) can help avoid harmful exposure to asbestos fibers. Masks, respirators, protective clothing, and gumboots are essential safety gear for anyone involved in the disposal of asbestos. 4. Properly Contain the Asbestos for Disposal As asbestos is removed from the site, it should be wetted to prevent it from blowing around. It should then be double bagged and sealed in an air-tight container. Alternatively, by utilizing an affordable industrial waste bag, it’s possible to capture the asbestos, reduce cleanout costs, and limit worker exposure. Specialty bags are even available that can capture all materials with virtually no dust release and can be sized to fit industrial roll-off waste containers for easy collection, transport, and disposal. These specialty flexible packaging options are also designed to meet OSHA, EPA regulations, and DOT regulations to ensure peace of mind. 5. Follow Any and All Decontamination Procedures People who work in asbestos-contaminated areas must remove their protective clothing and equipment in a designated decontamination enclosure. This helps contain any airborne particles that might be attached to any clothing or gear and will prevent it from escaping into the environment and exposing the general public. How To Dispose of Asbestos? Once the asbestos waste has been properly contained, it can be disposed of. Not all disposal facilities can take hazardous materials such as asbestos. Be sure to check which disposal sites have the appropriate license before trucking the waste all the way over to the facility. Many resources are available online to find suitable disposal facilities. It’s also possible to see if the facilities require certain packaging to be used during transport or disposal to mitigate environmental hazards en route to the landfill. In Conclusion Knowing how to eliminate asbestos-containing waste is an essential part of occupational safety, especially in construction sites. Using proper asbestos containment and disposal techniques as well as packaging designed to encapsulate airborne particles will reduce potential health hazards and hefty fines. Trey Castleberry works with PacTec, Inc. and its sister companies, the global leader in flexible waste packaging solutions for industrial and nuclear facilities. His team has a proven track record of helping waste generators and haulers streamline their business models, work more efficiently, ensure compliance, reduce budgets, and gain new business.
Buying a condo, or any other home is very exciting for a first-time home buyer. While townhouses and single-family homes attract a lot of upkeep charges, owning a condo doesn’t. So this is a great way of enjoying homeownership without necessarily breaking the bank. The best part is, you get to enjoy the shared amenities. However, before spending your hard-earned money on a new condo, it is important to take a few things into consideration. That said, below are a few tips for buying a condo in Canada. Decide the amenities you want Since you are going to live in the condo, it is important to decide the kind of amenities you want to ensure that you will be comfortable living in the new place. This is not just about the available amenities, it also boils down to the location and the budget of the condo. You want to select a place that is safe for you and likely close to your workplace. Also, even if some amenities like a pool are not a priority for you, don’t overlook them. This will go a long way to ensure that the condo sells faster should you plan to resell the property later. Inquire about special assessments The condo association might impose additional charges for financing a particular project, this is known as a special assessment. While these special assessments are usually on for a limited period of time, you can’t just ignore them because they affect your budget when on. Consider your lifestyle Living in a townhouse or single-family home might put you off, especially because of the high-maintenance needs. Some people don’t mind paying $5,000 for roof replacement or mowing the lawn but if these are things that you are not comfortable with, then a condo is a great option. Perhaps you don’t mind sharing floors, walls, or ceilings with neighbors, and you are comfortable with apartment living, go ahead and buy that condo! Work with an experienced realtor One of the best things to do when purchasing your new condo is working with an experienced realtor. Not just any realtor, but one with plenty of experience selling condos. You want to find someone with a good track record in condos to inform you about the developments with great resale values, condo developments in your area, and issues they may have, etc. Evaluate association fees and regulations In addition to your mortgage, you will also be required to pay association fees that will be used to pay for the property and amenities’ upkeep. Review and ask about those extra fees beforehand to avoid inconveniences in the future. Bottom lineBuying new property can be both exciting and terrifying. It is a life-changing decision and anyone would only want to do it right. If you are wondering where to begin, you will find plenty of real estate news at https://urban.condos/ to help you make the right decision. Before making your purchase, think about your housing needs as well as your financial situation as they play a very big role.
FOLLOWING the outbreak of Covid-19, the construction industry was forced to move many of its processes online and modernise at a rapid rate in order to stay afloat. As we start to come through the pandemic and restrictions are beginning to ease, many of these practices have been implemented permanently by businesses that have reaped the benefits of working online – and complete construction partner Stepnell is no exception. The family-run business had been embracing cloud-based technology and digital platforms long before the Covid-19 pandemic, but the positive impact digitisation has had on client satisfaction has become even more prominent throughout the pandemic, making project delivery as cost and time efficient as possible. Stepnell, which works on public and private sector projects across the UK, has been utilising a selection of programmes to maximise efficiency and deliver outstanding service to its clients – as well as recently hiring a new technical manager as part of its company-wide advancement in BIM. One of the programmes currently being used by its team is Fieldview, a cloud-based app which offers managers the ability to view and amend shared documents – such as quality checks and health and safety protocols – on a live platform that provides updates in real time to project teams, stakeholders and sub-contractors. It also allows managers to have a detailed overview of each project while working remotely and collects data that enables Stepnell to make informed improvements about its ways of working. Fieldview runs alongside Viewpoint for Projects, which is a design management tool that stores plans and drawings, allowing architects and sub-contractors to effectively collaborate with the Stepnell team while keeping the client up to date with building design alterations. The team also uses Biosite to maximise site management efficiencies, helping to speed up induction processes, oversee the number of operatives on site and monitor the expiration of qualifying documents such as CSCS cards. Biosite also works to monitor the sustainability of each project, measuring the carbon footprint of each site worker’s commute in order to moderate transport emissions on eco-friendly builds. Tom Wakeford, joint managing director at Stepnell, said: “Without a doubt, the future of the construction sector lies in technology – especially following the pandemic, which forced us to embrace cloud-based platforms and move processes online in order to continuously collaborate while social distancing. Stepnell is intent on being at the forefront of this change, and we believe that these tools are a great place to start on our journey towards digitisation. “As a construction partner, it’s important that our role remains collaborative, so we’re in constant communication with both our clients and sub-contractors to keep them updated on the progress of the build. Transparency is an essential part of our service, and these platforms enable us to deliver this to our clients by not only providing live updates, but also by protecting their personal data and ensuring our teams are trained to a high standard so they can exceed expected requirements.” Stepnell has also been working to upgrade its systems internally, being one of the first businesses in the sector to migrate to the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud. Stepnell has also listened to customers and was one of the first contractors to achieve ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus qualifications, which reinforces the company’s efforts in protecting sensitive client data. The team is also using Clear Review to help manage the performance of its staff online, a programme which helps to set objectives, arrange in person or virtual catch ups with mentors and line managers, and deliver constructive feedback to aid professional development. Tom continued: “Stepnell is constantly looking for ways to evolve and improve, so we are always on the lookout for technology that will help us to develop further. The use of these platforms, and the appointment of our new technical manager, will help us move towards continued growth, and we look forward to seeing how the rest of the construction industry embraces these changes over the next few years.” With more than 14 years’ BIM experience within the sector, new technical manager Charlotte Brogan will be dedicating her time to working with other technical and design managers in the business to improve the use of new and existing platforms across the business, pushing Stepnell to further expand its technological capabilities. Charlotte said: “I’m very excited about getting stuck into my new role and working alongside the Stepnell team to embrace new technologies and processes that will help to continuously elevate the business. “I was initially attracted to Stepnell as it is a family-run business, which means it has the values and company ethos that I often look for in an employer. The scope for development at Stepnell – both as a business and for my personal career growth – is huge and I look forward to working alongside teams in each department to introduce new platforms that can streamline processes and make sure we deliver the best service possible to our clients.” Stepnell is not only using these tools to improve relationships with existing clients, but it is also using online platforms to attract new business and win potential bids. Tom said: “We have also been utilising the Conquest estimating tool for many years and we are currently upgrading to its enquiries system, which will replace our own bespoke system. This will make us more efficient and means our teams can do more. “These platforms have all had an incredible impact on the success of Stepnell, and we’re excited about trialling more BIM products in the future and continuing to push the boundaries of modernisation within construction. Next up is an upgrade to our finance system to make us more efficient.” To find out more about Stepnell, visit https://www.stepnell.co.uk or join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
SINCE its publication in late 2020, the Construction Playbook has been a huge focus for change across the industry. Through effective use, the industry will be able to build back better and drive truly transformative change through a sector-wide collaborative effort. National framework provider Pagabo brought together a panel of experts, to examine some of the radical changes the Playbook principles will drive forwards, including the UK’s levelling up agenda, taking a balanced outlook on cost versus value, and the all-important topic of future skills and training within the industry. Pagabo’s executive chairman Gerard Toplass and non-executive chairman Lord Bob Kerslake were joined by Dr Nicola Thompson, group compliance and performance director at multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, and Rob Byrnes, head of frameworks at Vinci Construction. Costs versus value – a balanced approach There is a shared consensus that there is still a lot of education to be done with clients across the industry on the importance of examining whole life cost rather than just capital cost for any scheme. In a post-pandemic landscape in which most clients are very occupied by cost and budget requirements, it has never been more important to work closely with clients on this matter. Organisations across the industry are working hard with clients on this, assisting clients with their understanding and requirement assessment to help them ensure tenders contain a balanced mix of cost and value. During the discussion, all speakers agreed that recent steps from the government – while slower than we may all perhaps like to see – are moving in the right direction, with the changes to social value assessment for central government being a prime example of this. Lord Kerslake brought a unique perspective to this social value discussion, having been working within the government at a time when there was a huge focus on cost following the financial crash. This period of time saw the additional elements that we now focus on in social value – such as training and skills – taken out of the equation in procurement. The Social Value Act (2012) and the more recent changes to assessment for central government are reversing those earlier changes and taking them further than ever before. We are however facing a unique set of challenges, building social value back into the built environment with a greater focus on the local and personal impact on communities at a time when overall cost will be incredibly important to clients. A blended approach to social value measurement is needed, particularly as there are areas of the industry that are only just beginning to grasp social value. Some clients are still looking for monetary figures, while others are looking beyond that to the ‘real life’ impact – so it will be important to examine how both sides of this can be evaluated, to educate clients on the importance of both and to demystify some of the language around social value practices. Levelling up and transformational change will attract the workforce of tomorrow The core issue around levelling up is about rebalancing the UK economy, not putting the north and south against each other. Post-pandemic this is more important than ever, and elements of the Construction Playbook will play into this critical agenda. Transparent pipelines will have an important role in the all-important investment required to level up the country. The Playbook does give signposts on commercial pipelines, which set us up to commit to many of the other principles outlined. Visibility of the pipeline of work allows for confident investment in the various things such as skills and digital tools to improve productivity and processes, and to drive innovation within the market – all things that will work towards a brighter future for the whole industry and to tackling the current skills and labour shortage we are facing. 40,000 young people enter into further education courses related to our industry, yet only 25 per cent of them go into industry jobs per year. There is a clear problem with intake into the sector that we must tackle. Every walk of our life is impacted by built environment professionals, so we have to ensure our sector is adapting to attract the best workforce possible to continue creating the excellent buildings, facilities and environments we all use and enjoy every day. The people entering into the industry now will be the ones running it in the future, meaning we need to adapt the way we train our workforce and make sure it meets their expectations. We also need to work on retaining people even if they want to move into different types of jobs, helping them to move around within the industry rather than exiting it. There is a challenge to be faced in balancing more traditional courses like architecture with new skills and ways of learning without cutting any corners. As an industry, we focus on talking about roles like engineers when we are talking about what the sector has to offer career-wise – but we possess so much more scope than that and if we are to close the skills gap, we have to showcase that range and potential. Ultimately, the Playbook will be driving us to create a more robust industry that is data-driven, fosters real innovation and makes better use of modern methods of construction. The industry has so far been painfully slow to innovate, with Lord Kerslake noting that he was involved in a working group on MMC years ago, yet the industry is still only on the cusp of beginning to use these methods. An increased move towards these new methods and processes lends itself to a different attitude towards training – focusing on a portfolio of skills that are shorter than traditional routes, but ultimately leave an individual with a wider range of skills to use across the industry. Plus, as innovation takes off, we don’t know what other new job roles and skills we will need, so this requires an ongoing adjustment approach – the industry must provide
Network Rail has awarded civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale a contract to carry out a programme of key access upgrades at Finsbury Park station. The principal focus will be the installation of two new lifts to the island platforms serving the national rail network. The works continue the upgrade and refurbishment programme at Finsbury Park which has improved the station’s entrance ways and thoroughfares. It will make step-free access possible throughout, to the benefit of many rail passengers. Alongside the installation of the two new lift shafts, Barhale will also make alterations to the platform canopies and create new entrances between the shafts and the existing tunnel passageways. Finsbury Park Station is a major transport interchange between national rail, and London’s underground and bus services. Pre-Covid-19, it saw more than 30 million passengers per year. According to contracts manager Jaimie Lawson, one of the key challenges will come from working in a live station. “This is a major intermodal transport hub for London,” he said. “Although passenger numbers are down because of the pandemic, this is still a very busy location. Safety will be paramount – and we will also face the constraints of working within COVID-19 protocols. “The project itself is mainly civils, M&E and building services but it presents some real challenges in terms of logistics – especially getting materials in and out while working across the different levels of the site. To make sure there is minimal disruption and to deliver the project as quickly as possible, we will be working 24 hours in three shifts, 5 days a week. Operational constraints also mean that we will be drawing on Barhale’s tunnelling heritage and working with smaller-scale specialist equipment.” Director Andy Flowerday sees the contract as an important addition to Barhale’s portfolio of rail projects. “This award recognises both Barhale’s experience in rail and of working on highly constrained sites,” he said. “Strategically, rail is a key sector, so we are really pleased to be given the go-ahead at an important and highly-visible upgrade to one of the busiest stations in London outside of Zone 1. “We look forward to delivering a first-class result for Network Rail and for the millions of users who pass through Finsbury Park’s portals every year.” Construction is scheduled to start in August 2021. Completion is expected by late 2022. ends