Scotland’s First Minister has given the green light to a construction industry soft start – The move will allow a number of contractors to get back on site, under strict conditions – Council Leaders welcome the news and say public and worker safety will remain top priority for Edinburgh Construction
There are times when you choose to post some items in the mail which need more protection than common paper envelopes. And this type of envelope is also the perfect thing when it comes to transferring items and packaging online that are flat yet sensitive. Being available in different sizes, these envelopes
Everyone can’t afford to buy a 4000 sq. Ft. villa. Buying a house with master bedrooms, a spacious living room, an airy kitchen, and giant-sized washrooms requires a lot of money. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t make a small square feet house look spacious, comfortable, and airy. The
SELECT, the trade body for electrical professionals in Scotland, has welcomed a small but significant upturn in the number of young women undergoing apprenticeships as electricians. Figures gathered by Scotland’s largest trade association show that there are now 13 female apprentices training to be electricians in 2019-2020, compared to seven
The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the
NAPIT has created a new publication which helps Landlords and Electrical Inspectors understand the new Legislation governing electrical safety checks within dwellings in England, which will be introduced from 1st June 2020, coming into force for new tenancies on the 1st July 2020. This new Legislation is a welcomed approach
Having recently released their highly successful back to work guide, workplace consultants and office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors is advancing towards its next phase of company growth following the appointment of Mike McKeown as Client Services Director. Mike will join Rob Day, Chloe Sproston and Rachel Biddles on the management
Independent consulting engineer Dougall Baillie Associates (DBA) has secured a significant contract at a major development site near Ayr which, in its initial phase, could provide 750 new homes for the fast-growing area. DBA has been instructed by Allanvale Land Investments to provide key transportation, road and bridge engineering design
Do you own a property that you’re not planning to sell anytime soon? Property buying experts Housebuyers4u have revealed a number of different things you can do to add value to your house and increase its appeal. There are large projects that can increase the value of your house, but
Leading safety and building compliance authority, Bureau Veritas, has pledged its full support to the government’s recent introduction of a new 11m threshold for sprinklers – asserting it marks a vital step forward in the journey towards enhanced fire safety regulation. On 26 May 2020 the UK government released the
Scotland’s First Minister has given the green light to a construction industry soft start – The move will allow a number of contractors to get back on site, under strict conditions – Council Leaders welcome the news and say public and worker safety will remain top priority for Edinburgh Construction workers across the Capital will be able to get back on site following an announcement by the Scottish Government. Speaking yesterday (Thursday 11 June), First Minister Nicola Sturgeon signalled that the industry is now able to move into Phase Two of its Six Phase Recovery Plan. This means site works and structural changes to domestic properties are allowed to restart – if Covid-19 guidance can be followed to protect workers and the wider public. Council Leaders have welcomed the move, which will allow many workers to return to their jobs and enable key projects to prepare for a safe reopening. Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This welcome change brings us another step closer to getting Edinburgh’s construction industry back on track. “From building much-needed affordable housing, schools and Edinburgh’s new Meadowbank, to improvements across our transport network, we have around 110 construction projects under contract worth £339m. Getting these projects back underway and progressing high profile developments like the Tram to Newhaven and new St James Centre will be a priority for the industry, the local economy and, crucially, hundreds of our residents who work in construction.” Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “We’ve been working closely with our contractors so that they can make their sites and working practices as safe as possible. It’s vital that no work gets underway until proper measures have been put in place to protect communities and workers against Covid-19. “Changes won’t take place overnight and must be gradual, and we’ll be looking at how we engage local communities at each stage.”
There are times when you choose to post some items in the mail which need more protection than common paper envelopes. And this type of envelope is also the perfect thing when it comes to transferring items and packaging online that are flat yet sensitive. Being available in different sizes, these envelopes are available in plastic or paper covered outer layer and these also feature bubble wrap layers inside the envelopes. One of the best things about this type of envelope is that you can easily get this from different reputable sources in the UK like Bestbuyenvelopes. Why do businesses prefer bubble envelopes? Businesses often have to send mails or some other delicate items through posts. And the padded envelopes work as the safest bet in these cases. These envelopes come with stronger paper made outer layer and an additional protective lining made of recycled fibers or plastic bubble wraps, which protect the items placed inside the envelopes during handling and transition. Some of the reasons why businesses bubble envelopes are: These envelopes are puncture resistant and strong mailbags that can protect the items against all the hazards of shipping. Apart from being highly cost-effective, these mailers are also lightweight and therefore these require less postage cost than shipping boxes. Some of these envelopes also come with self-sealing abilities, which save the time of insertion and fastening. Besides, there is no chance of tampering security. These envelopes can be used numerous times and can also be recycled when needed. Different use of bubble envelopes: Bubble envelopes are used to carry different products. Here is a list of items for which these envelopes are the best packaging option: Small gifts: There are times when companies have to send some gift items to the clients or employees. In these cases, the use of padded envelopes ensures the safe arrival of the gifts at the desired destinations. CD and DVD: These are one of the items, which need some additional protection when these are sent through the mail. Here the bubble wraps in the padded envelopes protect CDs and DVDs from the heavy pressure of other items. Besides, using this kind of envelope also eliminates the requirement of using cardboard boxes, which are heavy and result in additional postal charges. Photographs and documents: When it comes to sending photographs from one place to another, it is important to choose the safest delivery option. It is because if the photographs are folded or pressed hard while handling or during transit, then the quality of the image can suffer a lot. Besides, this type of packaging solution plays an important role when it comes to transferring important official documents in a good and safe condition. Using bubble envelopes ensure that the documents are transferred in undamaged, unfolded, properly packed, and clean condition. Promotional items: This is especially true for the eCommerce businesses where companies need to send some promotional goods, company leaflets, magazines etc. to the existing customers, potential buyers or clients, resellers, and employees to allure them. Sending these items through bubble envelopes ensure that these things reach the recipient’s address in intact condition.
Everyone can’t afford to buy a 4000 sq. Ft. villa. Buying a house with master bedrooms, a spacious living room, an airy kitchen, and giant-sized washrooms requires a lot of money. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t make a small square feet house look spacious, comfortable, and airy. The way you decorate your place, choose furniture, select color palette, and organize things can really sprinkle incredible impact in a small space. The good thing is that despite having a small space, you don’t have to live with the feeling of living in a cramped and messy place. It is easier to break the code of coming up with a living room that looks bigger than it really is. Here are some tricks and tips to fool your eyes, and make your space look bigger: Don’t Cramp Up Space: You might like to put a giant sofa to give an expensive touch to your place, but it really does no good for space. Big-size furniture, unnecessary cupboards, useless tables, and excessive art pieces do nothing to make a living room look plush and beautiful. In fact, they blow up the whole comfy vibes and leave little space to walk without bumping into stray furniture. So, avoid overstuffed sofas and unnecessary space eaters and go with sleek designed, and multipurpose furniture that can serve multiple functions in one go. For example, a tufted ottoman can serve as a coffee table, footrest, and an extra sitting option. Use Bi-Folding Doors: Making a small room look bigger is all about playing your cards smartly and getting the best out of your space. Using elements to splash the vibes of openness and movement do wonder when it is about tricking the spacious vibes. So, instead of going with a solid door, insert a bi-folding door between the living room and the dining room. This way, we can use this door as a wall when required, and fold all the doors and connect both places if you want to add some more space if you have to host a party. See? Like Bi Fold Doors UK, the addition of just one thing can change the whole dimension of your room without much effort. Light Up the Room with Lights: Using the right lighting can really change the feel of the room like magic. It goes without saying that you should let natural shine light up the room during the day. It makes your room brighter and cozy. But for the night, let lights do the trick for keeping the brightness of the room intact. If you feel that floor light will take a massive chunk of useful space, go with pendant lighting, wall or ceiling fixtures, string lights, or/and slimline bar. Use lighting throughout the space to bring a bright and warm feeling. Use the Right Color Palette: The colors you splash on your walls play a huge role in defining the feel of the space. We all know that lighter colors reflect light, giving your room a feeling of calm and brightness. So, instead of using dark hues, light colors, like white, beige, and lighter tones of blue, open up your space. The living room is a place where you spend most of your day watching television, chit-chatting with family members, or simply cozying on the couch. So, it feels good if your living room looks organized, airy, and spacious. Use the tricks mentioned above to get such feels – they really work!
SELECT, the trade body for electrical professionals in Scotland, has welcomed a small but significant upturn in the number of young women undergoing apprenticeships as electricians. Figures gathered by Scotland’s largest trade association show that there are now 13 female apprentices training to be electricians in 2019-2020, compared to seven in 2018-2019. Fiona Harper, Director of Employment and Skills at SELECT, said: “This is excellent news, coming as it does in Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 2 to 6 March. “An electrical apprenticeship for a young woman, just as for everyone else, is a life-changing experience which can open many doors, not only to further career progression and global travel, but also to professional regard and life fulfilment.” To mark the occasion, SELECT has commissioned a short film, The Power of Apprenticeships, which features an interview at a member company in Falkirk with one of its female apprentices, Neave Brownlie. The TClarke trainee says: “I finished school and could have gone to uni, but I preferred the idea of being paid while I was learning to become a qualified electrician. “I’m enjoying it; you’re never left alone on site, there’s always someone there supporting you and making sure you are safe. I’m treated like a daughter or a sister and everyone I’ve worked with has been lovely. “The exciting thing is the opportunity to travel the world once I have completed my apprenticeship and become a qualified electrician.” The Power of Apprenticeships also features another TClarke employee, Elyse McBride, a qualified electrician who is now office-based and is training to become a quantity surveyor. Elyse – a former SJIB Apprentice of the Year finalist in the SELECT Awards – said: “Completing an apprenticeship as an electrician was fundamental to me moving into a managerial role. “There are any number of different paths that can be followed as a qualified electrician, and the career world is your oyster.” Filmed at TClarke in Falkirk, and now available to view on SELECT’s YouTube channel, the video was produced in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and Unite the Union. Ms Harper, who is also The Secretary of the SJIB, added: “There is a world of opportunity for young women in the electrical sector and with this film we hope to encourage many more of them, currently in school or college, to consider an electrical apprenticeship as a serious career option.” Founded in 1900, SELECT is Scotland’s largest trade association. It has nearly 1,250 members businesses with a collective turnover of approximately £1bn, employing more than 15,000 people and 3,500 apprentices. SELECT also delivers training courses to more than 3,500 electricians each year and is committed to regulation of the industry for a safer Scotland. The Scottish Joint Industry Board was founded in 1969 by SELECT and Unite the Union.
The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the First Minister also confirmed the extension of the highly successful Help to Buy scheme for a further year until March 2022. Chief Executive of industry body Homes for Scotland Nicola Barclay said: “To get confirmation that home builders can now commence the re-opening of their sites is great news that hasn’t come a moment too soon given the robust safety plans that the industry has developed and put in place. With pent-up housing demand having increased with every day that has passed, we look forward to finishing off the many homes that are already largely complete and that families are desperate to move into as well as starting to get the new homes that are so desperately needed out of the ground. “Having the extension of the Help to Buy scheme announced at the same time is also a much required confidence booster for the housing market that will help ensure even more younger Scots can benefit from this hugely successful initiative and realise their aspirations of owning their own home. “The First Minister paid tribute to the very responsible approach that has been adopted by the industry during the lockdown, and this is a sentiment I wish to echo loudly. Home builders have stepped up to the plate supporting their customers, employees and local communities, and this will continue as we look forward to working closely with government and other stakeholders to rebuild Scotland’s economy.”
NAPIT has created a new publication which helps Landlords and Electrical Inspectors understand the new Legislation governing electrical safety checks within dwellings in England, which will be introduced from 1st June 2020, coming into force for new tenancies on the 1st July 2020. This new Legislation is a welcomed approach by the UK Government to increase the safety of private residential tenants. Complex and in-depth, it requires a fresh take on Electrical Inspections from Inspectors, and a new level of understanding from Landlords, to reduce the likelihood of failing to meet their obligations which can result in landlords receiving fines of up to £30,000. The guide will help understanding of the new Legislation and covers: •Legislation Requirements •Consequences of not complying •What is required for an electrical safety check? •Different Electrical forms, and where they are used •Coding of safety checks •Frequencies of Inspections •Competence requirements of Inspectors •Remedial works requirements •Record keeping •Assessing risk The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) have worked in cooperation with NAPIT on the production of the guide. Meera Chindooroy, NRLA deputy director for campaigns, public affairs & policy said: “The new electrical safety regulations coming into force in England in July will impact all landlords, and we were happy to work with NAPIT to ensure guidance to help them navigate the new rules is accurate and consistent.” Compliance with regulations is critically important is all aspects, but particularly when it comes to electrical safety. Electricians working in the UK must have a full and thorough understanding of the British Standards BS 7671:2018 Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations, known as the 18th edition for short. It is therefore important that electricians keep up to date through 18th edition courses. Mike Andrews, NAPIT Group Chief Executive, commented: “Our latest guidance book on the new Electrical Safety Regulations will go a long way to helping the electrical industry and Landlords understand and comply with their obligations to keep private residential tenants safe in their homes. As the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, we are well placed to provide accurate and consistent guidance for the industry to follow. Electrical Safety is at the forefront of everything we do, and with the introduction of this new Legislation, we have made it easy for the industry to access the correct information and ensure electrical safety standards are met.” NAPIT members can pre-order their copy of the guide for £14.99; for non-members, it’s £16.99. Full RRP is £19.99.* FurtherInformation: Topre-order your copy visit www.napitdirect.co.uk/p/landlords-and-electrical-inspectors-guidance-for-the-private-rented-sector-electrical-safety-checks TheElectrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations2020: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2020/9780111191934
Having recently released their highly successful back to work guide, workplace consultants and office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors is advancing towards its next phase of company growth following the appointment of Mike McKeown as Client Services Director. Mike will join Rob Day, Chloe Sproston and Rachel Biddles on the management team to strengthen the Board of Directors as part of an ongoing strategic focus on winning more workplace consultancy projects. Although the appointment was agreed prior to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the quality of projects already in the pipeline meant that Blueprint Interiors had the confidence to invest in this additional expertise and influence at a time when companies will need expert advice to prepare their workplaces for the future. Commenting on Mike’s appointment, Blueprint Interiors Founder and CEO Rob Day said, “Even before the pandemic hit, we’d set out to prove that office design comprising rows and rows of desks was an outdated concept. We firmly believe that these environments are as toxic as those in which battery farmed chickens are kept. There is a growing realisation that people can work more effectively and are far happier, healthier and more productive when given the choice to work from home with options to visit agile office spaces when they need to meet people or innovate and share ideas. The pandemic has merely accelerated this change in attitude and our theory that ‘free range’ employees are a greater asset because they are healthier and more motivated has become much more widely accepted. Having Mike on board will strengthen our reputation and ensure we are well placed to advise companies who want to transform their workplace to be fit for the future.” As a former board director of Paragon Group between 1999 and 2017 Mike was responsible for sales growth and key account management during Paragon’s successful period of growth. More recently he has been working in London as a Project Director for a leading interior Design and Build business. Mike, who is married with two children has also worked in Dubai and Japan and recently re-located to Stanton by Dale in Derbyshire. In his new role he will oversee a sales and marketing programme that is intended to position Blueprint Interiors as thought leaders in office design. He will also help Blueprint Interiors capitalise on the increased demand from companies who want to create better environments for their employees as well as offering leadership and coaching to the existing sales team. Mike added, “Blueprint Interiors is on a journey of phased transition to becoming the region’s leading consultative led office interior design company. The aims and goals of the business are very aligned to my personal style and approach to transforming office spaces. I am really looking forward to identifying new clients who could benefit from this consultative approach to creating people centric workplaces. My aim is to ensure that both existing and new clients receive an exemplary level of service in all the interactions they have with our business.”
Independent consulting engineer Dougall Baillie Associates (DBA) has secured a significant contract at a major development site near Ayr which, in its initial phase, could provide 750 new homes for the fast-growing area. DBA has been instructed by Allanvale Land Investments to provide key transportation, road and bridge engineering design services at Corton, in the Southeast Ayr strategic expansion site. The site has been undeveloped for some years and has passed through different ownerships, but necessary consents are in place and the current developer now plans to be on site by summer this year. As well as the residential element, the development, on the east side of the A77 near Ayr Hospital, will include retail, employment and local community uses and will help bring to fruition part of South Ayrshire Council’s local development plan. It is the latest in a series of contract wins within residential developments which have seen DBA being asked by developers to provide professional services for schemes in Scotland with values of up to £200 million, adding over 2000 new homes to the housing stock. Stuart Harrow, Transportation Director at DBA, said: “Corton is a transformative development, representing the first phase of a larger, long term Strategic Expansion Site which could eventually feature up to 2700 new homes. “Major residential developers have expressed keen interest in being part of the project and the current developers have identified great potential in what is a vibrant area in which to live and work.” DBA has prepared a major Transport Assessment for the development Masterplan, considering the sustainability and integration of transport solutions and roads infrastructure interventions on both the local and trunk networks. It will work with Transport Scotland, Ayrshire Roads Alliance and the council on internal roads at the site and junction and capacity improvement as well as delivering a footbridge across the A77 to allow pedestrian access to the site. DBA’s Managing Director Fergus Adams said that ongoing work inflows had increased turnover by over 15% to £3.5 million in the financial year to April and, subject to coronavirus effects, he was forecasting further growth to April 2021. While residential homes work now comprises some 80% of the DBA portfolio, the firm has also marked up a number of significant scores in transport infrastructure, such as its involvement in the recently-opened £14.1 million M8/A8 interchange at Bishopton in Renfrewshire in consultation with Renfrewshire Council, SEPA, Transport Scotland and BAA. The firm has also been concerned in projects in mega shopping centres such as Braehead and Silverburn in Glasgow and the Union Square development in Aberdeen.
Do you own a property that you’re not planning to sell anytime soon? Property buying experts Housebuyers4u have revealed a number of different things you can do to add value to your house and increase its appeal. There are large projects that can increase the value of your house, but also small fixes and repairs that can also add to it. In this article, we’ll tell you about different property investments that you can make to increase the value of your house. So, let’s begin! Fix Structural Issues Structural issues like caving and corrosion of the structure can have a massive impact on the value of the house. If you want to improve the value of your house, this is the first issue that you need to address. If your house does not look good and the structure has subsidence issues, then making an investment in the kitchen and bathroom can become difficult. Below are some structural defects that you need to address which may increase the value of your property: Leaking or a sagging roof. Cracks in the walls or ceiling. Bowing walls. Broken and missing roof tiles. Unstable chimney. Installation of a New Central Heating System If you want to boost the value of your house, a new central heating system will do wonders as many houses still only have a traditional heating systems. Updating or adding a new central heating system will add value to your house. At the same time it will also improve the general efficiency of your house. Others ways you can improve efficiency & save on energy include: Sealing the drafts around windows and doors. Add insulation where required. Replace windows that are beyond any repair. Rewire and Redo plumbing if you have an Old House Rewiring and plumbing are one of the few jobs that require a complete makeover of your property. These jobs are troublesome because they involve chasing out plaster walls and sometimes digging through floors. Rewiring and plumbing will add to the value of your house. Here are some more specific upgrades: Update the electrics if your house has a meter with the an old box. Replace the old meter with a modern residual circuit device. Add extra sockets and modern more energy efficient lights in your entire house. Install exhaust fans (extractor fans) in the bathroom. If the bathroom already has exhaust fans, replace them with modern, more energy efficient designs available in the market. Replace old pipes with news pipes because old pipes get furred up and lead to poor water flow. Decorate the House Decorating your house is one of the easier tasks that will increase the value of your property. Small defects generally don’t affect the value of your property but they do put off prospective buyers so it may result in a lower offer. The following are the small defects that can put off the potential buyers, but are also easily fixable: Peeling paint never looks good. Non-functional door latches should be replaced. Squeaking windows and doors. Dripping taps. Loose tiles in the house. Broken or damaged doors and windows. Cracks in the ceiling. Bad Gutters. Clogged drains. Invest in Remodeling Jobs One of the best ways to enhance the value of your house is to change the layout of your entire house or update the existing plan. You can add more worth to your house by investing your money in the places where people spend time together. For example, the living space, dining area, kitchen, and living area. Below are a few ideas that you can use to increase the worth of your house: Draw a floor plan, add and subtract the walls of your house until you achieve an ideal layout. Make use of the circulation spaces in your house like halls and corridors. Make multi-functional spaces like combining the kitchen and living area. Such multi-functional spaces increase the value of the house. Conclusion The property investments mentioned above can add to the value of your house. Completely renovating your house can be tough because it requires a lot of investment. If you can’t afford large investments focus on repairing and fixing the smaller issues that add value to the house as well as redecorating, We hope our article has given you some good ideas on how to increase the value of your house!
Leading safety and building compliance authority, Bureau Veritas, has pledged its full support to the government’s recent introduction of a new 11m threshold for sprinklers – asserting it marks a vital step forward in the journey towards enhanced fire safety regulation. On 26 May 2020 the UK government released the inaugural phase of its Fire Safety Approved Document Work Plan; the important implementation plan based on Hackitt report recommendations designed to create a new regulatory framework for building safety. As part of this, the government announced updates to the Building Regulation in Approved Document B whereby the current trigger height for sprinklers in new residential flats will be replaced from 30 metres (typically 10 floors) to just 11 metres (typically four floors). This significant reform means that any new flat developments with a floor at the new threshold will be required to be fitted with a sprinkler or alternative fire suppression system. Importantly, the requirement, which comes into effect on 26th November 2020, will only apply to projects lodged before this time and that have not started ahead of the official cut-off date of 29 January 2021. Alongside this, the government also recently announced the new requirement for wayfinding signage in flat developments in stairs and lobbies to assist firefighting operations. Looking ahead, further regulatory reforms are expected to follow later in the year to include the consideration of Evacuation Alert Systems and potentially the introduction of a new 11 metres height requirement for firefighting shafts, as opposed to the current 18 metres. Andy Lowe, technical and training director for Bureau Veritas Building Control, comments: “Following an ongoing consultation period, we are in full support of the government’s decision to considerably lower the threshold height for the provision of sprinklers in new flat complexes, while also including the provision of storey identification signage in staircases to assist wayfinding for firefighters. “While these may seem relatively simple changes, they are incredibly important ones which will go a long way in helping ensure that residents are safer in their homes and that more adequate preventative measures are in place should an incident occur.” In response to the new Approved Document B Fire Safety, Bureau Veritas, a leading global compliance, testing and inspection expert in building compliance, is holding a specialist webinar specifically designed to support the industry in understanding the changes. To be held on 17 June 20 , the free webinar will see the business’ expert Construction Consultancy team cover a range of important fire updates covering the combustible cladding ban, assessments in lieu of testing, new cladding requirements, and more. Andy adds: “Inherently, amid the ongoing transition towards the creation of a much more holistic and robust future fire safety framework, there will be a lot of change for the building industry to get to grips with. As such, as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting customers operating in this sector, both existing and new, we have developed a new webinar designed to provide a quick and convenient overview of the latest changes and what they mean for them. We’d urge as many customers as possible to attend what promises to be an incredibly valuable session.” To register your interest in the upcoming ‘Approved Document B: Understanding Fire Safety Changes’ webinar please visit https://bureauveritas.zoom.us/webinar/register/1015907514985/WN_VbUnwR1PTFSE-UkgeGA6vQ. Alternatively, for more information on Bureau Veritas please visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk.