A multi-disciplinary construction consultancy is helping to inspire children into construction by backing a new innovative pilot project in Essex. Daniel Connal Partnership, with offices in Colchester, Norwich and London, is supporting Writtle Junior School in Writtle, Chelmsford, on their Junior Hard Hats initiative. Born out of the school’s involvement
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), the UK’s largest organisation for independent inventory clerks, is advising landlords and agents to make sure their investments are protected if they agree to allow tenants keep pets in their homes. “It’s clear that the number of long-term lifestyle renters is rising and
The buy-to-let market has remained remarkably resilient, despite change sin tax regulations, the lettings fees ban and interest rate rises, and the majority of landlords feel positive about the year ahead. This statement is also backed up by the annual Shawbrook Bank buy-to-let barometer, where 65% of investors reported they
Fair weather conditions are helping the UK construction industry to recover from the disruption of the unsettled winter of 2018, but there is some doubt over how long this uplift will last. Actuated Valve Supplies have produced a round up of the construction industry at present. According to the IHS
Dads across the country can expect a well-deserved break this Father’s Day as new research shows that most millennials are tackling practical jobs around the home, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The latest research by the FMB shows that despite well over half (57%) of Brits thinking
According to a new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), over half (57%) of Brits wrongly assume that millennials are useless when it comes to carrying out practical jobs around the home. “Society is wrong to assume that the technical know-how of your typical millennial begins and ends
There is more pressure on today’s building technology and innovation than ever before: with climate change being forever the hot topic, there’s no doubt that the design and construction sector has had to make an extra effort to stay ahead of the trends and developments within the ever-changing industry. With
The builders merchant D.W. Nye will be hosting a free Demo Day on Saturday the 24th of March, where it will be serving barista coffees and artisan cheese toasties. Customers will have the chance to stroll around the four-acre depot, watching demonstrations from world-class suppliers like Acheson and Glover, makers
January saw the lowest temperatures in the UK since February 2016, and with the potential for more cold snaps on the way, it’s a good time to review the procedures for placing concrete in cold weather. If young concrete is allowed to cool to below freezing temperature, it is very
The East Midlands Expo will be taking place on the 9th October at the East Midlands Conference Centre on the University Park in Nottingham. This innovative trade and exhibition event will also incorporate the eighteenth annual Property & Business Investment Show. The event usually attracts both exhibitors and delegates from
A multi-disciplinary construction consultancy is helping to inspire children into construction by backing a new innovative pilot project in Essex. Daniel Connal Partnership, with offices in Colchester, Norwich and London, is supporting Writtle Junior School in Writtle, Chelmsford, on their Junior Hard Hats initiative. Born out of the school’s involvement in the Greenpower – Inspiring Engineers campaign, Junior Hard Hats aims to attract youngsters into construction by involving the students in all aspects of planning, designing and construction of a building as part of the school curriculum. The plans involve an innovative Technology Learning Pod to be built in the school grounds as a pilot project for the charity, with future proposals to roll-out the concept nationwide. The school children have been involved in the whole process including choosing the name of the charity, meeting with planners at the planning department, attending meetings with local Parish Councillors and having a say in the design of the building. Future activities will include pitching the scheme to sponsors, devising a marketing strategy, meeting with bankers, lawyers and industry professionals etc – all supported and mentored by the charity’s trustees. DCP is providing health & safety advice and Construction Design Management (CDM) services on the project. The health and safety team delivered an H&S presentation to Year 6 children, which introduced them to the basics of CDM and site safety. They also provided hands-on first aid training, including the use of a defibrillator. Jonathan Dennis, Partner, at Daniel Connal Partnership, said: “This is an extremely exciting project and one that we are thrilled to be involved in. Inspiring youngsters into construction by addressing the perception of the industry as dirty, dangerous, low paid and male dominated is extremely worthwhile. By doing so, we can hopefully introduce the idea of a career in the construction sector as a credible option for those who may not have considered it before.” Headmaster Nick Taylor said: “This is a truly inspirational project that is capturing the imagination of all our children. It is opening doors to future careers and showing the power of a local community working together. We can’t thank the Daniel Connal Partnership enough for all of their support!” The construction of the pod is currently underway.
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), the UK’s largest organisation for independent inventory clerks, is advising landlords and agents to make sure their investments are protected if they agree to allow tenants keep pets in their homes. “It’s clear that the number of long-term lifestyle renters is rising and this means that more tenants will want to keep pets and therefore be on the lookout for a property which they can truly call home for a prolonged period,” said AIIC chair Danny Zane, who is also the managing director of My Property Inventories. “It therefore comes as no surprise if more landlords decide to let to tenants with pets as it will widen their pool of prospective renters in an increasingly competitive market.” Even though this is a decision that can bring profits, the association is warning landlords to take out more comprehensive insurance, to increase the property’s damage deposit and to make sure that an independent and professionally compiled inventory is carried out. “Furry friends can undoubtedly cause more damage to a property, not to mention additional odours and mess. Therefore, more comprehensive landlord insurance can provide the required cover and peace of mind should an incident occur at the property, while a higher deposit will help to ensure that tenants are committed to maintaining the property,” explained Zane. However, landlords must be wary of charging higher deposits as from next spring it is likely that damage deposits will be capped at a maximum of six weeks’ rent. “Independent inventories, which detail a property’s condition at the start and end of a rental contract, provide landlords and agents with peace of mind and protect tenants from unreasonable deductions at the end of a tenancy,” added Danny Zane. The AIIC has been campaigning over the last year for the government to consider compulsory independent inventory reporting in privately rented properties.
The buy-to-let market has remained remarkably resilient, despite change sin tax regulations, the lettings fees ban and interest rate rises, and the majority of landlords feel positive about the year ahead. This statement is also backed up by the annual Shawbrook Bank buy-to-let barometer, where 65% of investors reported they feel confident about their property portfolio in 2018. Many landlords have therefore decided to streamline their portfolios in order to strengthen return in the changing buy-to-let landscape. Data from Paragon Mortgages supports this, stating that smaller scale landlords and prolific portfolio landlords in particular have been reorganising, with many using downsizing as a method to manage economic changes. The research also highlighted a drop in the number of small scale landlords, with the total of those who own between three and five buy-to-let properties falling at the end of last year. A reduction in large scale landlords who own in excess of 50 properties was also seen. The only group increasing their portfolios were middling landlords with between six and 20 properties in their portfolio, a group that increased by 4% in the last 12 months. The current market factors have now created the perfect environment to sell, with an influx of first time investors entering the sector. Statistics from the latest HomeLet Rental Index show that rents are on the rise with prices up 2% year-on-year during May, which, combined with the demand for rented homes believing to hit six million by 2025, means that the buy-to-let sector will continue to entice investors. Moreover, a shortfall of quality rental accommodation and growing national demand makes for a win-win situation when it comes to selling. Vendors have an eager audience of investors waiting to buy for the right price, while buyers can be confident that they are buying into a buoyant and growing market.
Fair weather conditions are helping the UK construction industry to recover from the disruption of the unsettled winter of 2018, but there is some doubt over how long this uplift will last. Actuated Valve Supplies have produced a round up of the construction industry at present. According to the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers Index in June, total activity in the industry was given a boost by companies catching up on work schedules delayed during the winter. This follows months of severe weather conditions, including the so-called Beast From The East and a less severe, although still disruptive, Easter weekend. With a more settled outlook in May, the seasonally adjusted PMI stood at 52.5, unchanged since the previous month, but a sign of improved trading in the sector. The report, published in early June, stated: “The figure was indicative of a moderate increase in total activity, albeit one that was subdued in the context of historical data. “Some firms suggested that unusually good weather conditions had supported activity and enabled them to continue catching up after prior months’ weather-related disruptions.” Within the three market segments – residential, commercial and civil engineering – there were various reasons to be optimistic, with residential remaining the largest contributor to the sector as a whole. Both civil engineering and commercial projects recorded positive growth for the second month running, with the latter achieving greater expansion than in April. While residential growth was a little slower, this came off the back of a substantial pickup in activity in April, as the snowfall of winter cleared. Several causes for concern are keeping optimism for future months lower than it might otherwise be, including a shortage of skilled staff, high price inflation on purchasing costs, and supply chain issues leading to longer delivery times for parts and materials. The report’s author Sam Teague said: “Activity in May was once again buoyed by some firms still catching up from disruptions caused by the unusually poor weather conditions in March, and a renewed drop in new work hinted that the recovery could prove short-lived.” A score of 50.0 on the UK Construction PMI indicates no change in the size of the sector – so although the score of 52.5 is the same as in April, it still represents modest positive growth. Commercial activity growth hit a three-month high, while residential kept its position as the largest segment for the third month running, despite falling back slightly from April’s 11-month high expansion rate. New order books are down, however, for the fourth time in five months, with future growth optimism standing at a seven-month low in May, and this muddled picture is an indication of the uncertainty surrounding economic and political issues at present. With the summer expected to remain settled for a considerable time to come, conditions are right for good performance in UK construction – if the demand is there. But with May’s growth stemming largely from projects delayed by previous bad weather, UK construction firms will be working hard to capitalise on the new orders that come in and to drive profits while the sun shines.
Dads across the country can expect a well-deserved break this Father’s Day as new research shows that most millennials are tackling practical jobs around the home, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The latest research by the FMB shows that despite well over half (57%) of Brits thinking that millennials are hopeless when it comes to DIY and other practical tasks, the following shows the top ten jobs 18-34 year olds have completed: 1) 70% have defrosted a freezer; 2) 66% have hung pictures or photo frames on a wall; 3) 63% have put together flat-pack furniture; 4) 58% have painted a wall or piece of furniture; 5) 57% have hung curtains; 6) 49% have watched a DIY ‘how to’ video; 7) 48% have sewn a button; 8) 44% have bled a radiator; 9) 43% have changed a fuse in a plug; 10) 36% have put up a shelf. Commenting on the research, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “There’s a popular misconception that most young people rely on their mothers and fathers to complete jobs around the house for them because they lack the interest or knowhow to be self-sufficient. Our research shows that more than half of Brits think millennials are generally inept around the home. However, these new findings also reveal that millennials are actually accustomed to completing some tricky tasks, including DIY jobs. Two thirds of young people have hung pictures or photo frames on the wall and nearly as many have put together flat-pack furniture and painted something. This Father’s Day, dads across the UK can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that when they receive that lunch invitation to the home of their children, they probably won’t be asked to get their hands dirty.” Berry concluded: “To avoid dads across the country having to rescue botched DIY jobs, it’s important that millennials, and other generations alike, know their limits when it comes to DIY and home improvements. It’s one thing putting up a shelf but quite another attempting to knock down a wall or remove a structural beam. Our advice is, if in doubt, commission a professional builder to carry out your home improvement project. If home owners are looking to hire a builder, and aren’t able to find a reliable recommendation from a family member or friend, they should use the FMB’s ‘Find a Builder’ service. All new members of the FMB are vetted and independently inspected before joining and so home owners can rest assured that they’ll be working with a professional and quality builder.”
According to a new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), over half (57%) of Brits wrongly assume that millennials are useless when it comes to carrying out practical jobs around the home. “Society is wrong to assume that the technical know-how of your typical millennial begins and ends with their smartphone. Well over half of Brits think that those aged 18-34 fall short when it comes to carrying out hands-on tasks around the home. There’s a popular misconception that most young people rely on their parents to complete jobs around the house for them – either through a lack of interest or a lack of ability, or both. However, our research shows that millennials are handier than many give them credit for. Two thirds of young people have hung picture or photo frames on the wall and nearly as many have put together flat-pack furniture and painted something. It’s particularly impressive that half of all young people have been proactive enough to watch a DIY ‘how to’ online video rather than waiting for someone they know the show them or complete the task on their behalf,” said Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. The research shows that the top ten jobs completed by 18-34 year olds are: 70% have defrosted a freezer, 66% have hung picture or photo frames on a wall, 63% have put together flat-pack furniture, 58% have painted a wall or a piece of furniture, 57% have hung curtains, 49% have watched a DIY ‘how to’ video, 48% have sewn a button, 44% have bled a radiator, 43% have changed a fuse in a plug and 36% have put up a shelf. “Although we applaud young people for getting stuck in, it’s important that all generations know their limits when it comes to DIY and home improvements. It’s one thing bleeding a radiator and quite another attempting to knock down a wall or removing a structural beam. Our advice is to refrain from undertaking tasks that are better performed by a professional builder. If homeowners are looking to hire a builder, and aren’t able to extract a reliable recommendation from a family member or friend, they should use the FMB’s ‘Find a Builder’ service. All new members of the FMB are vetted and independently inspected before joining and so consumers can rest assured that they’ll be working with a professional and quality builder,” Berry concluded.
There is more pressure on today’s building technology and innovation than ever before: with climate change being forever the hot topic, there’s no doubt that the design and construction sector has had to make an extra effort to stay ahead of the trends and developments within the ever-changing industry. With many existing buildings undergoing green or environmentally-friendly reconstruction, almost all new builds make considerable energy-efficient achievements. This is largely due to a combination of both client demands and strict regulations. In recent years, we’ve seen a number of highly impressive green building examples: One Angle Square in the UK makes use of rainwater harvesting and solar power; the Bamboo Skyscraper in Singapore impressed us all with its bamboo build; and BetZed, a wonderful community example of green architecture. Not only this, but there are also many people shaping cities worldwide and recording their stories while doing so, and countless communities and organisations for inspiration and assistance. Luckily, the industry is coming on in leaps and bounds. There are a number of new, cutting-edge technologies used to create products that have played a large role in this recent surge in green design: Textiles by Designtex Textile waste is gradually gaining more and more airtime – not only in terms of fashion, but construction too. The Designtex ecological fabrics are particularly well-suited to commercial use. Created with sustainable production in mind, the applied material company does a lot of interesting collaboration and partnerships that are paving the path in green design. Energy-Harvesting Wallpaper by Imperial College London A team from Imperial College London recently created an extra thin solar panel wallpaper by printing with cyanobacteria, which uses photosynthesis to create electric energy from sunlight. This astounding discovery could be used to power medical and environmental sensors. Legend Valve HyperPure Piping HyperPure is strong and resilient piping that is easy to install and, most importantly, is 100% recyclable. The potable tubes are made from bi-modal polyethylene and provide a cost-effective solution to water pipes. Best of all, they don’t leave any chemical tastes in your drinking water. SolaReflect Nippon Paint Despite the recent controversy surrounding the eco-friendly nature of specific paints, there are a number of paints serving eco-friendly purposes. SolaReflect Nippon Paint plays a very important role in how a building deals with the build-up of heat. Although this may not be a pressing problem in the UK, in places like Asia, it can certainly be. SolaReflect diverts infrared heat and therefore encourages savings on cooling energy costs. 3D Printing A non-profit organisation called ICON is responsible for one of the latest and most ground-breaking developments in design and construction. By using 3D printing, the team aims to create affordable housing for the 1 billion plus homeless people in the world. The houses can reportedly be built in just 24 hours and ICON hopes to build them for less than $4,000. Spray-On Solar Cells With solar power and other renewable energy sources, the world can cut off the rising demand for electricity from traditional fuel sources. The continuous research on making solar power more affordable will pay off with cleaner air and environment for everyone. One of the ways to make solar energy more affordable is by adopting spray-on solar cells, which use the thin film deposition technique. According to Renewable Energy World, a “British company aims to have a thin-film perovskite solar cell commercially available by the end of 2018.” A perovskite is a type of solar cell that can be mixed into liquid solutions and can be applied to a number of surfaces. Spray-on solar cells have nanoparticles that are excellent for absorbing light and conducting electricity. Phosphorus and zinc make up these nanoparticles, wherein manufacturers combine them into a liquid. The liquid is then sprayed on solar cells. This technology is more cost-effective because it doesn’t use expensive silicone. Instead, spray-on solar cells are made of a plastic compound. Also, the installation is quicker than their traditional counterparts. Other thin film deposition methods are available to create innovative green buildings. You may learn more about thin film deposition for solar panels in this article by Korvus Technology. Conclusion Because of advancing green building technologies, it’s now possible to create residential and commercial infrastructures that generate less carbon. When everyone embraces these innovations, the positive environmental impacts are enormous. It’s time to rethink how property owners and contractors build modern houses and buildings by adopting the above green building technologies.
The builders merchant D.W. Nye will be hosting a free Demo Day on Saturday the 24th of March, where it will be serving barista coffees and artisan cheese toasties. Customers will have the chance to stroll around the four-acre depot, watching demonstrations from world-class suppliers like Acheson and Glover, makers of state-of-the-art stone and concrete products, and tool specialist Makita. Also present at the event will be Brett, Digby Stone and Artificialgrass.com, who will be on-hand to introduce the very latest products to DIY enthusiasts in the local area and answer any questions visitors may have. Homeowners and trade customers will also benefit from exclusive offers and discount available for one day from 7.30am until 2pm. The event will be focused on landscaping products for customers looking to renovate their gardens in the wake of winter and the D.W. Nye’s team will be available for expert advice on all manner of building projects. “Following the huge success of our Demo Days last year, we wanted to provide an opportunity for customers to come and hear about the latest landscaping products, get expert advice, receive discounts and pick up some DIY inspiration along the way. It’s a great chance to chat to our retail and trade customers while treating them to a tasty lunch. We look forward to welcoming people on the day, there’s no need to book – just turn up,” commented about the event Rex Nye, owner and Managing Director at D.W. Nye. The Demo Day will be taking place at the company’s depot on the A24 at Kingsfold, north of Horsham and a few miles from Dorking. To find out more about the event, please visit: http://www.dwnye.co.uk/. D.W. Nye Builders Merchant is a family-run business based in Kingsfold, Horsham. Operating since 1985, the company supplies building, timber and landscaping materials to trade, DIY, and retail customers. The company prides itself on providing high quality customer service and has built an excellent reputation in the local community.
January saw the lowest temperatures in the UK since February 2016, and with the potential for more cold snaps on the way, it’s a good time to review the procedures for placing concrete in cold weather. If young concrete is allowed to cool to below freezing temperature, it is very likely that it will be damaged to the point of being entirely unfit for use. Should freshly-placed concrete be allowed to reach temperatures lower than 0°C, the water in the mix will freeze and expand; maintaining a temperature above zero degrees will help to ensure the intended strength of your concrete is reached- even if it is at a slower rate than was anticipated. However, if the concrete is able to reach a strength of approximately 2N/mm2 it is likely to be able to resist the expansion and damage. It is important to note that even if temperatures don’t reach freezing point, low temperatures will cause the concrete’s strength to develop significantly slower than in warmer ambient temperatures. This strength is typically reached within 48 hours for most mixes, should the concrete be kept above 5°C. So how, during cold weather, should you keep concrete sufficiently warm for the first 48 hours to ensure that this strength is able to develop? Concrete should never be poured onto frozen ground, snow or ice. You can use heaters to thaw the ground prior to pouring concrete. If you plan to use heated enclosures, make certain they are both windproof and weatherproof. Your concrete should include a maximum water to cement ratio, to limit bleeding. Additionally, you should not begin your final finishing operations whenever bleed water is still present. It is important that formwork is not removed early, or else there is a risk that concrete in suspended slabs or beams could be too weak to carry its own weight due to the slower rate of strengthening the slow rate of strength development needs to be taken into account when calculating times for formwork removal. Strength gain can be increased by minimising the amount of cement replacements or using admixtures- always seek the advice of your suppliers If temperatures are low enough that frost is expected, useful protection measures include insulated or heated frost blankets and insulated formwork. Timber formwork often offers sufficient insulation by itself. Steel formwork is a poor insulator, and exposed surfaces should be covered with insulating material or temporary covers heated with space heaters. For severe frost, it is best to heat the concrete (10°C) for delivery. If heated concrete is not available, it is better to delay your concreting until the ambient temperature rises to above 2°C. When planning your concreting, you can obtain information on the likely temperatures from the Met Office, and should use this to plan your approach so you are never caught short or forced to delay your work. Armed with this information, you will be able to place your concrete perfectly, first time, whatever the weather.
The East Midlands Expo will be taking place on the 9th October at the East Midlands Conference Centre on the University Park in Nottingham. This innovative trade and exhibition event will also incorporate the eighteenth annual Property & Business Investment Show. The event usually attracts both exhibitors and delegates from across the East Midlands to the show, and no doubt this event will be equally as successful. At this year’s trade show and exhibition, the Expo will be highlighting the key factors to economic success. The East Midlands Expo has a range of different sponsors such as BSD Consulting Engineers, Galliford Try, Chatty Imp and Invest East Midlands. All of the sponsors are looking forward to this year’s event. The Expo will include around 70 exhibitors who mainly operate in the property, construction, professional services, finance and investment sectors. The East Midlands Expo is free to attend and is the only show of its kind located in the East Midlands and offering a platform which can be used by businesses to promote their services and products. The Expo also offers face-to-face networking opportunities for businesses to develop their business relationships. Those who are exhibiting at the Expo will have the opportunity to showcase their product ranges, services and other offerings to delegates who are at the event in order to look for these services, products and equipment. Each year, the East Midlands Expo sees a significant number of business transactions, demonstrating the success of event and its effectiveness at being able to connect buyers and suppliers. The Expo is unique as it is marketed and aimed at a well targeted audience working in and around property, construction, professional services, business, finance and investment sectors. The organisers target these areas in order to make sure that the delegates and exhibitors have the opportunity to meet the range of new contracts and clients that would be needed to improve business opportunities.