Travis Perkins plc, which is the UK’s largest supplier of building materials and owner of the Travis Perkins builders’ merchants, Toolstation and many specialist trade businesses, is celebrating Pride across the Group. More specifically, colleagues will be using Pride in June to educate themselves on what it means to become
ALMOST a millennium’s worth of heritage and some of Nottingham’s most treasured artefacts have been protected during the £30 million redevelopment of the city’s castle – thanks to technological innovation by local firm Ramtech, which designs and develops industry-leading wireless solutions. After three years of closure for extensive refurbishment and
One of the UK’s leading construction experts has called for drastic change in production methods to drive forward the fast-emerging offsite housebuilding industry. Develop Consulting, the lead transformation consultant, which has over two decades of experience within the field, has warned that current methods, which see modular homes being pre-built
Design and construction of a 332,626 sq ft production/warehouse facility to be built adjacent to existing facility at their HQ in Barnsley with the design mirroring the existing building. GMI Construction, a leading main contractor to a growing portfolio of public and private clients throughout the UK has announced that
Offsite manufacturer Rollalong has been approved by NHBC Accepts, the industry standard accreditation scheme for the residential housing sector provided by the National House Building Council. Rollalong is the largest permanent offsite manufacturer in the south of England and is now one of only two modular manufacturers in the UK using light gauge steel
A proposal for a transformative scheme including 366 new homes and commercial space in the heart of Wolverhampton’s historic Canalside Quarter has been approved in principle today. The £65M proposal directed by build-to-rent developer Placefirst is for an ambitious residential scheme, to be located close to Wolverhampton’s new £150m transport
In the past, companies offering services like construction didn’t have to do very much to market themselves. People would choose a company local to them, relying on the builders and other construction professionals they could access to do the job. This has changed in the modern world, though. There is
Slips and falls are among the leading causes of injuries at workplaces, comprising the largest part of compensation claims. The nature of injuries people suffer from these accidents can be minor or severe. It could include head injuries, lacerations, sprains, and broken bones. Numerous situations can cause slips and falls
Population-dense communities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, remain at risk of a major earthquake because of their location on the joint between tectonic plates. The San Andreas Fault has remained a potential disaster area for centuries and result in persistent small earthquakes. State and Local Governments in California
Over the last 15 years, the stock of private rented residential property has grown faster than owner occupied homes, as the rental market has gone from strength to strength. A fifth of the UK population now lives in private rental accommodation – that’s 4.7 million households and twice the proportion
Travis Perkins plc, which is the UK’s largest supplier of building materials and owner of the Travis Perkins builders’ merchants, Toolstation and many specialist trade businesses, is celebrating Pride across the Group. More specifically, colleagues will be using Pride in June to educate themselves on what it means to become good allies to lesbian, gay, bi, trans and questioning (LGBTQ+) people and colleagues. This celebration is integral to the Group’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy – You Be You, It Makes Us Us – to help build a more diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, feeling that they belong and are comfortable to be themselves. As part of this, the company aims to ensure that everyone knows what it means to be an LGBTQ+ ally, and why it is an important part of creating an environment where LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers can feel safe and comfortable about who they are in and out of the workplace. During Pride, colleagues will be invited to embrace the celebrations through active participation in a raft of activities, ranging from allyship education training to reverse mentoring and local leadership team discussions. Those who feel comfortable will also be encouraged to add their pronouns to their email signatures, wear rainbow laces as part of their uniform in branches and stores nationwide, and dress brightly on Fridays throughout the month to show their support. “Being an ally is about showing support for, and solidarity with, our colleagues from the LGBTQ+ community, and celebrating the diversity of our fantastic business. It requires a curiosity about our colleagues, a desire to educate ourselves, and sometimes, the willingness to step in and stand up to others. An ally shouldn’t be prepared to leave unacceptable behaviour unchallenged. Fostering a work environment where our colleagues can be themselves without fear of discrimination and to feel included and supported is essential to enabling them to be happy and productive. “We’ll be a better place to work and better able to understand and serve our customers’ needs if our business genuinely reflects the diversity of our society and our customer base. Visibly celebrating and respecting difference is a key part of allyship. It helps us to attract the best people to work with us irrespective of social or ethnic background, gender, sexuality, disability or any other individual characteristics and makes us a stronger, better business,” explained General Counsel & Company Secretary for Travis Perkins plc and a sponsor for the Group’s LGBTQ+ network, Robin Miller. Acording to Stonewall, more than a third are known to hide that they are LGBTQ+ at work for fear of discrimination. Colleagues at Travis Perkins Group hope that through being brilliant allies, they can support LGBTQ+ colleagues and ensure they feel safe and comfortable about who they are, and eliminate any unfair treatment of them.
ALMOST a millennium’s worth of heritage and some of Nottingham’s most treasured artefacts have been protected during the £30 million redevelopment of the city’s castle – thanks to technological innovation by local firm Ramtech, which designs and develops industry-leading wireless solutions. After three years of closure for extensive refurbishment and conservation works, Nottingham Castle is set to reopen to the public on 21 June. Ramtech, which is based in Castle Marina, Nottingham, worked in partnership with Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Castle Trust to provide a tailored fire detection and alert system during the three-year-long renovation programme. Lead contractor G F Tomlinson specified Ramtech’s EN54-compliant, state-of-the-art WES3 technology and REACT system, which provided 24/7 fire and emergency monitoring to the construction site – minimising the risk to lives, mitigating site damage and protecting irreplaceable assets. Andy Hicks, managing director at Ramtech, said: “Being involved in such an important project for Nottingham and using our expertise and innovative solutions to keep lives safe and protect the city’s treasures has been a privilege. We were founded in Nottingham, we’re based in Castle Marina and we are currently celebrating our 30th anniversary, so it feels like a birthday gift to be able to showcase how far we have come by working on a major landmark in our home city.” The extreme likelihood of fire damage occurring on job sites is widely recognised. Latest figures from the Home Office show that between April 2018 and March 2019, fire and rescue services attended 365 fires on construction sites in England – increasing from 333 in 2014/15. Andy added: “Ensuring the heritage of Nottingham Castle was preserved, as well protecting the lives of construction workers, was key. However, safeguarding 953 years of history from the risk of fire during a significant refurbishment was a challenging undertaking, especially as the castle site is particularly complex. “The sensitive, historic nature of the site meant that if a fire broke out, it could be difficult to identify the source and where workers were, so our solution – which gives real-time insights, enabling sites to react to potential disasters quickly – was ideal in mitigating risk. In the event of a call point or detector being triggered, WES combined with REACT provided on and off site communications to alert the local fire brigade immediately; this was active day and night, whether the site was occupied or not. “Heritage buildings such as Nottingham Castle are irreplaceable, like the lives of those working on site. We are dedicated and passionate about providing the best solution to protect them and our technology is designed to accomplish this. The added benefit of our solutions is preventing delays on site – fires will stop projects being delivered on time and result in added costs.” WES3 is a wireless fire, evacuation and emergency alarm system that has been engineered to deliver the highest standards of legislative compliance, while meeting the unique fire safety challenges of construction sites. It links with REACT – Ramtech’s next generation of cloud-based wireless fire safety systems – enabling site management teams to have complete control of communications. This creates a fully-integrated emergency response system that protects a construction site 24/7. G F Tomlinson identified Ramtech’s solution because it is compliant with the relevant sections of EN54 and wireless with no need for external power. The system also had no impact on the fabric of the castle but could deliver exact location information should a fire have broken out. In addition, the units can span any distance by utilising their innovative “flooded mesh” radio network. The redevelopment and conservation works followed a major £30 million investment from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Nottingham City Council, D2N2 and Arts Council England, plus fundraising by the Nottingham Castle Trust. Sara Blair-Manning, Chief Executive Officer at Nottingham Castle Trust, said: “The Ducal Palace and its grounds posed a complex site that had to be considered not only in relation to personnel safety, but ultimately the protection of over one thousand years of history. The completion of the renovation safely and on time has allowed us to open as soon as Covid restrictions have allowed and to finally unveil unique treasures that will secure Nottingham as a global tourism destination.” Nottingham Castle, which sits 130ft above the city on Castle Rock, was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. The major royal fortress was largely demolished in 1651 and Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, built the present Ducal Mansion on the site in 1660. However, parts of the structure were burned down by rioters in 1831. The mansion remained a derelict shell until it was restored in 1875 and reopened in three years later to house an art gallery and museum. For more information on Ramtech and its wireless solutions, visit www.ramtechglobal.com.
One of the UK’s leading construction experts has called for drastic change in production methods to drive forward the fast-emerging offsite housebuilding industry. Develop Consulting, the lead transformation consultant, which has over two decades of experience within the field, has warned that current methods, which see modular homes being pre-built in factories using construction methods before being fully assembled on site, needed to be “drastically updated” to achieve success. Steve Clark, Manufacturing and Construction Director for Develop Consulting, added that for Modern Methods of Construction (MMCs) to truly accelerate the delivery of homes built within the UK, more method change from within was needed within the trade. He stressed the change from using manufacturing methods rather than those used for construction would not only speed up the build process, but also make it easier, better and cheaper than ever before for new factory-built homes. Speaking after the recent announcement by chancellor Rishi Sunak that a taskforce was being formed and there would be a £10m injection into the economy to drive the adoption of offsite housebuilding, Mr Clark warned that more needed to be done than just ‘pumping money’ into an industry which needed change at its very core. Mr Clark said: “There have been millions of pounds spent on the MMC sector over the past five years, with various bodies put together in changing systems and cataloguing parts. But very little has been invested in actually changing behaviours from within. “The main issue is where the housing is being built offsite, it is done so within a construction culture rather than with a manufacturing process at its core. The manufacturing process within a factory has more planning, organisation and preparation than in any other sector, which gives a far more consistent and streamlined output than anything construction can currently offer. We almost need to create a car assembly line model within a factory setting, but for houses. “Quite literally we need to build strong foundations for the process of the build to create a stable market, stronger product and this will then lead to an improved output. But the main issue is they aren’t changing the manufacturing facilities into production facilities, they are doing construction under a tin roof, and this needs to change, and soon,” he added. Mr Clark said Develop Consulting was already working with a number of modular home builders based within the UK to create this change, and urged more to look at transforming this process. “I honestly believe with this process in place, a company could go from producing one module a day to three, and this would go quite a way to help solving the housing crisis we currently have,” he added. For more information on the change in process, and for a background on MMCs, click on this link or visit www.develop-consulting.co.uk
Design and construction of a 332,626 sq ft production/warehouse facility to be built adjacent to existing facility at their HQ in Barnsley with the design mirroring the existing building. GMI Construction, a leading main contractor to a growing portfolio of public and private clients throughout the UK has announced that it has been awarded a major new contract by The Symphony Group – the UK’s largest privately owned manufacturer of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture to develop a new 332,626 sq. ft. production warehouse facility at their HQ in Barnsley. The facility which has been designed by Architect Garnett Netherwood and will feature enhanced FM1 floor slabs will be constructed adjacent to the existing Symphony production plant with a harmonious design that mirrors the existing building. The new facility will provide Symphony with much increased storage and production capacity, along with the enabling of key equipment to enable Symphony to fulfil its plans for growth. The build is expected to take 38 weeks with the expectation that the facility will become fully operational later the same year. Speaking about the appointment Lee Powell, GMI Divisional Managing Director said: “We are very pleased to have been instructed by Symphony Group to construct this important new production plant and warehouse to enable their next phase of expansion. GMI is well known for its work and credentials in the production and warehouse sector and we look forward to working with Symphony and the full project team to deliver this building on time/budget”.
Offsite manufacturer Rollalong has been approved by NHBC Accepts, the industry standard accreditation scheme for the residential housing sector provided by the National House Building Council. Rollalong is the largest permanent offsite manufacturer in the south of England and is now one of only two modular manufacturers in the UK using light gauge steel which have achieved this accreditation. NHBC Accepts is NHBC’s comprehensive review service for innovative products and systems. It is the fast-track route for acceptance for building products and systems used in homes covered by all NHBC warranty products. The accreditation allows Rollalong to register the modular homes manufactured offsite at its factory in Dorset with NHBC for a full 10-year warranty. “This is a tremendous achievement by our team and I’m so proud and delighted by the news,” said Steve Chivers, Managing Director of Rollalong. “System approval by NHBC Accepts gives us an advantage and will help to cement our position as a significant player in the residential housing market.” The Rollalong HDA System is an offsite, volumetric method of building houses based on light gauge steel structures. Floor, ceiling and wall elements are assembled together in the factory to create modules which are fully fitted out with fire linings, thermal insulation, breather membrane, windows and doors. The modules are then installed on site on a prepared foundation, the roof is added and connections are made to the previously installed drainage and utilities services in the ground. Rollalong was established in 1932 and has built up an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality buildings in the defence, residential, education and healthcare sectors.
A proposal for a transformative scheme including 366 new homes and commercial space in the heart of Wolverhampton’s historic Canalside Quarter has been approved in principle today. The £65M proposal directed by build-to-rent developer Placefirst is for an ambitious residential scheme, to be located close to Wolverhampton’s new £150m transport Interchange on land off Lower Horseley Fields in the city centre. The development will deliver the first phase of a canalside community as part of a major regeneration project in the area, providing a mix of townhouses, new build apartments and commercial space across five acres of brownfield land. The ambitious scheme, which will include the sensitive restoration of heritage canalside properties such as Union Mill, and major bio-diversity and environmental improvements, is designed by award-winning architecture practice jmarchitects with WSP as planning and heritage consultants. Planning permission is subject to the resolution of matters of detail, conditions and a s106 agreement. Placefirst aim to commence construction later this year. The proposed development will regenerate this historic canalside location, creating a new promenade, public open spaces, landscaping and the restoration of listed buildings. New pedestrian access to the canal towpath will be provided as well as commercial space for post-covid working practises to be supported. Build-to-rent developer Placefirst has worked collaboratively with the City of Wolverhampton Council and other stakeholders such as Canal and River Trust and West Midlands Combined Authority, as well as holding an online public consultation ahead of submission. David Mawson, chief executive for Placefirst commented: “We are thrilled to receive planning approval in principle for the commencement of this extensive, transformative development in Wolverhampton’s Canalside Quarter. This will be our first Midlands development and we are proud that it is situated on such a historic location where we can unearth the true potential of this brownfield area. “The vision for this waterside development, like with all of our residential proposals, is more than to build new homes, but also to create a thriving community in the heart of the city centre, providing a real alternative to homeownership where people will love to live. We look forward to the commencement of the project and welcoming residents to the area.” Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “The approval in principle of these plans bring the transformational Canalside vision a step closer to reality. “They will deliver a nationally significant development that not only brings back into use a large parcel of brownfield land but also enables the city to take advantage of our fantastic waterways and the heritage that comes with it. “The Placefirst scheme will also generate around 150 jobs and a boost our economic recovery from Covid-19. “Urban living forms a critical part of how we are re-imagining our city centre and will help us meet the increasing demand for housing. “Canalside is a large and exciting opportunity that will require determined and skilful leadership with our partners to realise the opportunity.” For further information on Wolverhampton’s Canalside Quarter, please visit https://placefirst.co.uk/.
In the past, companies offering services like construction didn’t have to do very much to market themselves. People would choose a company local to them, relying on the builders and other construction professionals they could access to do the job. This has changed in the modern world, though. There is more competition in this sort of field than ever before, with companies taking to the web and using advanced marketing methods that enable them to have their voices heard. Thankfully, you have all of the tools you need at your disposal to take advantage of this for yourself. To help you out, this post will be exploring an all-round approach to construction marketing, giving you the chance to beat the competition. Physical Marketing Physical marketing is the method that most construction companies would rely on in the past, but this doesn’t mean that it can’t have value in today’s world. In fact, many people still choose their construction companies based on marketing like this, giving you the chance to reach a surprisingly wide audience. The is great for approaching demographics who usually don’t spend much time online. Leaflets/Flyers: Paper marketing tools have long been a popular choice for construction businesses. Whether you choose to pop these through people’s doors, leave them in retail businesses, or hand them out to customers, this can be a great tool for construction companies trying to get their name out. Signs & Vehicles: Signs on scaffolding and around your construction projects will be seen by a lot of people. You can also put signs on your vehicles, providing you with a practically free marketing option that will get the word out no matter where you go. Business Cards: Business cards are another option that has been popular for a long time, offering the chance to put your name into the pockets of potential clients. Once they decide to go with your services, they will be able to get the card out and call you, rather than having to find you online. As you can see, you have plenty of options to choose from with your physical marketing. You have a great opportunity to get your business into the world when you use methods like this, and you don’t need to spend loads of time and money on it in the process. Digital Marketing While physical marketing is important, few things will be as crucial as digital marketing for your construction company. This set of options allows you to reach as many people as possible, giving you the chance to work for those who wouldn’t usually see your physical marketing efforts. The vast majority of work like this will take place online. Your Website: It’s just about essential for construction companies to have a website in the modern world. No matter what you do, you need to have somewhere for customers to find you online, and this site needs to be well-built. SEO: Search engines can provide a lot of organic traffic once you build up your SEO. This can take a long time, though you can make this easier by using tools like Google My Business. Getting yourself into searches as soon as possible can limit the need for paid advertising. Social Media: Social media has long been a great place for businesses like those in the field of construction. Not only do you get the chance to post for free, but you can also use personal accounts to spread the word to friends, family, and other local people. Directories: Online directories like Yelp have been in place for a long time. These sites are often used by people looking for businesses, and construction is no different. You can add your business to many directories for free, though you should try to use different content for each of them. Email Campaigns: Email marketing campaigns are seldom used by construction companies, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t have a place. Your website offers a good place to get people to sign up for newsletters and other email options, and this can be a good way to gain more interactions. Influencers/UGC: User-generated content has exploded in popularity over the last few years, with many social media users using the businesses that are shown on profiles that they like. Digital marketing will usually take more work than physical marketing. This is thanks to the time that it takes to keep making new content and the monitoring that goes into it. A good digital marketing agency can help you with work like this, providing you with the means to push your marketing further than ever before. Options like this can be great for construction teams that don’t have the time to spend on their marketing efforts. Indirect Marketing Indirect marketing isn’t an area that you have to put any work into, as long as you treat your customers well and give them quality construction services. Word of mouth is a great example of this, with many construction companies being able to gain most of their customers through the words that their old ones use. Of course, though, you can’t rely on this alone in the modern age. Alongside word of mouth, reviews have also become a popular way for people to choose the companies that they work with. Google reviews are very good for this, and you can encourage the clients that have successful products to leave reviews so that you can build a good platform. You can even show off your reviews on the website that you use. As you can see, construction companies have a lot of marketing options available to them in the modern world. You can use all of these methods to find success, but it can also be worth exploring different ideas to make sure that you have every possible avenue covered. The more work you do on your marketing, the higher your chances of success will be down the line, which is well worth the work.
Slips and falls are among the leading causes of injuries at workplaces, comprising the largest part of compensation claims. The nature of injuries people suffer from these accidents can be minor or severe. It could include head injuries, lacerations, sprains, and broken bones. Numerous situations can cause slips and falls to occur at the workplace. These range from greasy or wet floor surfaces, uneven floor surfaces, and loose flooring, to electrical cables or cords, uneven or missing floor tiles, damaged ladder steps, cluttered walkways, and even ramps that are not fitted with skid-resistant surfaces. While it may not be possible for companies to eliminate jobsite injuries that result from slip and falls accidents completely, there are several steps they could take to reduce the risk of injuries. The most critical of these steps is to adopt a proactive approach to managing the workplace environment, as opposed to a reactionary one. Below are specific actions companies or businesses can take to reduce slip and fall accidents at the workplace: 1. Install Handrails On Stairways Most fall accidents in the workplace happen on stair cases. As such, companies are encouraged to take extra precautions to reduce the risk of employees getting injured due to slip and fall accidents. Some of the preventive measures companies can take to prevent accidents include illuminating staircases well and ensuring they’re free of obstacles or unsecured objects such as carpets or rugs that can cause people to trip and fall. Furthermore, companies should ensure stairways are fitted with handrails in line with OSHA walking and working surfaces checklist. The stairways should also be marked clearly at the top and bottom points using reflective tape to highlight inform employees and customers of potential problems. This makes them easy for employees and customers to spot. 2. Avoid Wet Or Slippery Floor Surfaces Slippery floor surfaces are the most common cause of slips and falls. At the workplace, majority of these accidents occur in food preparation areas, sidewalks, and parking lots. The reason why slips and falls are likely to occur on outdoor surfaces is the fact that traction in these areas changes considerably any time the weather changes. Even so, the outdoor situation will quickly affect the indoor floor surface, because outdoor moisture is sucked into the room by pedestrian traffic. To manage the situation, companies should adopt control procedures including keeping repairing and maintaining cleanliness on sidewalks and parking lots, removing ice and snow, and the use of anti-skid paint or adhesive striping material on outdoor floor surfaces. Some control measures businesses can take to ensure indoor floor surfaces aren’t wet nor slippery and must include placing moisture-absorbing mats at entrance points, displaying ‘wet floor’ signs, and placing anti-skid adhesive tape on most affected areas. Businesses can also place mats or rugs on food preparation areas and ensure spills are cleaned up immediately to keep floor surfaces dry and safe. 3. Remove Obstacles From Walkways And Aisles When placed on aisles, corridors, stairways, and walkways, clutter, equipment and other materials obstruct people and result in falls. To prevent this, adopting proper housekeeping practices in areas that have traffic is an effective way of preventing falls. To ensure that this happens, companies should adopt policies and procedures that stipulate cleaning and clearing of work environments, particularly where waste or scrap materials are byproducts of workplace operations. Specifically, companies should maintain cleanliness and orderliness in all passageways, service areas and storerooms, remove stringing cables, cords or air hoses from hallways and aisles, and encourage employees to adopt safe work practices like closing cabinet drawers and picking loose items from floors. 4. Ensure Proper Lighting In Workplaces Poor lighting in workplaces has been associated with rising accidents, particularly falls, in workplaces. Companies to enhance the safety of employees in their premises by ensuring that walkways, hallways, construction sites, basements, ramps, and dock areas are properly illuminated. Encourage employees to always turn on the lights immediately when entering a dark room, and work-related injuries can also be avoided. Companies should see to it walkways are poorly lit and are clear of any obstructions and clutter with easy access to light switches. Any faulty wires or switches should also be repaired immediately to facilitate property lighting in the work area. 5. Encourage Employees To Get Proper Footwear Shoes play an important role in preventing slips and falls at the workplace. As an important components of personal protection equipment, the type of shoes employees wear to work can either aggravate workplace injuries or reduce them significantly. To prevent slips and falls, companies should evaluate the kind of heels required for the workplace environment as well as the slickness of shoe soles. As a matter of fact, companies should make it a practice to evaluate footwear needs anytime a fall-related injury occurs to determine whether the shoes contributed to the accident. This information should be used to either improve the kind of footwear that companies issue employees as part of personal protection equipment or advice employees on the kind of shoes they’ll require. Employees should also be encouraged to tie shoelaces correctly to prevent trips and falls. 6. Installing Signage And Providing Step Ladders Another way for companies to reduce slip and fall accidents in the workplace is to place clear signs in potential accident areas to alert employees and customers. Important signage that informs people of steps, uneven ground, gaps, slippery floor, or loose rocks can go a long way in raising awareness of potential hazards and increasing attentiveness in the workplace. In addition, companies can provide employees with convenient step stools or ladders so that they can reach heights safely, thereby minimizing injuries caused by falls and slips. Making these supportive options available to them make sure they don’t rely on unstable tables, chairs or desks reach such heights. Final Thoughts Injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents are common in workplaces. However, companies can reduce them by taking proactive measures to raise awareness about them among employees and customers and increase
Population-dense communities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, remain at risk of a major earthquake because of their location on the joint between tectonic plates. The San Andreas Fault has remained a potential disaster area for centuries and result in persistent small earthquakes. State and Local Governments in California and other earthquake-prone areas have embarked on a soft story retrofit program designed to protect multi-story buildings. Understanding the importance of retrofitting a soft tory structure is the first step towards making a property safe for its inhabitants. What is a Soft Story? Structure Magazine points back to the 1989 earthquake in the Bay Area as the point when concern over soft-story structures began. The city is made up of wood-framed buildings that include numerous garages, lobbies, and open-plan spaces. When the 1989 earthquake struck the Bay Area, San Francisco officials believes the relative strength of its wood-framed structures would protect against the excessive shaking. The reality of the earthquake was much different, with the expensive marina area of the city seeing large-scale damage because of the garages positioned below living areas. Parking garages located underneath homes allowed the base of the property to become unstable during an earthquake. The problem was not limited to expensive properties in the San Francisco Marina area but included multi-family dwellings with a lobby or parking beneath. The concern among state and local construction experts was the inability of structures to withstand the excessive shaking of an earthquake. Soft story structures tend to be unstable because they lack lateral support across open spaces on the lower floors. If a soft story is not retrofit to help it withstand the shaking of an earthquake, it is in danger of collapse. Start with an Inspection Asoft story retrofit is completed to the standards laid down by city and state officials. The use of published standards makes it easier for a specialist construction company to ensure they meet the exacting demands of their customer and the building code. A property owner concerned about the long-term stability of their home or office space should start with an inspection by a seismic specialist. A specialist will be able to complete a survey of the property and determine whether the structure meets local structural codes. A property 9in need of a retrofit will be passed into the hands of designers and construction specialists in seismic retrofitting. The Available Options City and State building codes provide options about the best ways of retrofitting a soft story structure. There are several options open to a property owner and their design team for adding strength to soft story’s when earthquake damage is a risk. Several of the recommendations from local building codes are unsightly and unwanted by property owners. The unsightly options include boarding up picture windows and adding exterior braces for more support during an earthquake. The unsightly nature of exterior braces has led to several innovations in design, including the use of a steel frame within soft story’s. Seismic retrofit experts have discovered there are several simple ways of improving the strength of a structure, including the use of plywood in place of the drywall sheets on the interior of a property. What Type of Buildings are at Risk? A common mistake among property owners is to believe only multi-family homes are at risk of problems caused by soft-story structures. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection reports there are several commercial spaces with the potential for collapse or major damage should an earthquake strike. Restaurants and office spaces are at particular risk because of their open-plan design that limits the use of strengthening walls and beams when constructed. The buildings most at risk include those constructed before the change in city building codes of 1978. Wooden frame structures classed as type V are classed as the highest risk, with structures including a basement extending above ground level also at risk of collapse. Does a Retrofit Make a Building Earthquake-Proof? For decades, architects and structural engineers have been working to create earthquake-proof buildings. The ability to make a soft-story structure completely earthquake-proof is not with us yet. Using the latest technology, retrofitting a structure will protect it from the long-term damage of the past. Soft-story buildings are required by the building codes of San Francisco and Los Angeles to be at least 80-percent as strong as the floors above following a retrofit. The building code updates of the last decades have helped limit damage and collapse for property owners when an earthquake strikes. The use of a soft story retrofit is required by the building codes of densely populated cities in earthquake-prone areas of the U.S. After completing a retrofit, the property owner will feel confident their property is capable of withstanding an earthquake. Without a retrofit, property owners could face legal problems following the next earthquake to strike some regions.
Over the last 15 years, the stock of private rented residential property has grown faster than owner occupied homes, as the rental market has gone from strength to strength. A fifth of the UK population now lives in private rental accommodation – that’s 4.7 million households and twice the proportion of renters compared to 20 years ago, according to recent statistics. Whereas getting the best from your property investment once meant double digit capital growth, now rental yield has become a significant measure of ROI. And whether you’re a seasoned property investor or a first-time landlord, charging the right amount of rent to give you the best return on your asset can be tough in a crowded, highly competitive market. So, what can you do to make sure your property performs? The trick is to think like a commercial operator, by defining where the greatest demand for your ‘product’ lies, then giving your ‘customers’ exactly what they need. When it comes to achieving the best rental rate for your buy-to-let flat or house, here are some key steps you should take to stay one step ahead of the competition. Who is your target tenant? Finding the right tenant for your rental property is fundamental for business success. It’s not simply a case of finding just anyone who can pay the rent on time. If you have a clear idea of who your ideal tenant would be – low/high income tenants, young professionals, families, students etc – it gives you a much better chance to present the property to attract the target market and maximise the return on your investment. There’s no point styling your executive flat to suit a family if the property and the location are ideally suited for the young professional commuter market, and vice versa. Young professionals are often favoured on account of their independence and financial security, while renting to families tends to be a longer-term arrangement requiring less property management time on the part of the landlord. Paying close attention to the market will enable you to zoom in on the people with the highest level of demand for your property, and who are willing and able to pay top rents. Maintaining your property Unlike traditional financial investments, a physical asset such as a property needs looking after, and this is one of the landlord’s key responsibilities. Your tenants may or may not be interested in carrying out minor DIY jobs, and if they report a problem to you, it’s important that you investigate and take swift action to stop any minor niggles from turning into major building problems. From a loose door handle to a cold radiator, a faulty microwave or a damp patch on the ceiling, it’s never a good idea to let things slide. When you are between tenants and have unencumbered access, use the opportunity to check the property over to make sure it’s in tip top condition for the next contract. Schedule in a professional deep-clean, including window, carpet and oven cleaning, and bear in mind that you can charge tenants for an end-of-tenancy clean if the property has been left in a particularly poor condition. Now is also an excellent time to carry out additional maintenance or refurbishment jobs such as replacing tatty carpets, repainting walls and woodwork or getting the chimney swept. Looking after outdoor spaces If your rental property is a house with a garden, patio or conservatory, your tenants are more likely to be families or high income tenants who appreciate the extra space along with a few home comforts. Don’t make the cardinal mistake of focusing all your upkeep efforts on the inside of the house – the garden is what sets your property apart from the competition and justifies a premium rent! Traditional UPVC conservatories are prone to deterioration with age; they become brittle and the seals become less pliable, which can lead to leaks. You should have them professionally cleaned and serviced every three years or so, as recommended by Fargil, the UK’s leading conservatory valeting company. Decking, garden steps and patio paving can all get wet over time and present a slip hazard. An annual going over with a pressure washer is an effective way to remove the build up of moss and algae. If you have a hot tub or swimming pool, it goes without saying that these should be professionally maintained. Energy efficiency Since April 2018, the Energy Efficiency Certificate (EPC) is a key part of a landlord’s legal energy efficiency obligations – all rented properties must have one. The EPC rating goes from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and can be a big selling point for tenants. If you can show that your BTL property is going to help tenants keep their heating bills down, they will be more inclined to pay a premium price. The Certificate also has a ‘recommendations’ section to suggest improvements that could substantially improve the building’s rating. Low energy lighting, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation fall under ‘lower cost’ recommendations typically budgeted at less than £500 to implement, while higher cost suggestions include boiler replacements. Interestingly, many of the lowest cost measures are actually the most efficient and beneficial for the property, and well worth considering. Consider home improvements If you are planning non-essential home improvement projects such as major renovations or structural work, it’s advisable to assess the likely costs and benefits and scrutinise the numbers to make sure it’s really worth doing. How much downtime is involved where the property won’t be generating income? Will your target tenants appreciate the improved amenity? How long will it take to recoup the investment? If you do want to make improvements, the kitchen and bathrooms should be your first port of call – and this applies whether you’re hoping to attract quality tenants or purchasers. Install a new kitchen with build-in appliances including a dishwasher, and replace the bathroom with a white, modern suite and a decent shower unit. This is