DEALING with the pandemic has brought the relationship between the construction and healthcare industries into sharp focus, sparking new and innovative ways of working – and the future is looking bright. That was the key message from national framework provider Pagabo’s latest ‘Building Blocks’ podcast, hosted by executive chairman Gerard
Construction output fell 1.8% in volume terms in October 2021, this is the largest monthly decline since April 2020 when output fell by 41.7%; new work fell (2.8%) from September to October 2021 while repair and maintenance remained unchanged (0.0%). Like recent months, anecdotal evidence in October 2021 from businesses
Simon Rowland, Partner and Head of Construction and Engineering and Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, take a look at the events of 2021 and the potential challenges and opportunities that the sector could be presented with in 2022. There is no doubt that 2021 has
If you notice any cracks on your wall, bulging on your floor, or experience difficulties closing your doors, you may be facing a serious foundation leakage problem. You shouldn’t wait till the signs erupt into a disaster, or you will end up spending too much money doing the repairs or
Tradesman and tradeswomen are being urged to get involved with the ‘Big Brew’ – a new national campaign to highlight the mental health crisis in the construction sector. The Big Brew started on 1 October and has encourage tradespeople to connect and talk over a cuppa in a bid to
If you have been thinking about purchasing a property abroad for a little while now, why not consider buying a plot of land and building your own instead? After all, constructing your own dream home will not only ensure it fits the exact size, design specifications and purpose you require
Every homeowner must make it a priority to maintain the appearance of their home- both inside and out. If you’ve been beautifying the interiors, now is the time to do the same for your outside space. Depending on your goals or objectives, you can make modifications or upgrades to your
Award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group has partnered with Gathering Voices to provide the local arts charity with exclusive use of the buildings at the former Park Furnishers site in Bristol in a bid to help support local artists working in the city. Forming part of the wider Whitehouse Street regeneration,
Looking to convert your loft and add value to your home? By working with an expert in loft conversions Essex property owners trust and choosing the right style of conversion, you’re all set for success. How much value can it add? First of all, you are probably wondering how much
Regular carpet cleaning is the most recommended solution when it comes to having spotless carpets that are free from dust, bacteria, and mites. It allows people to breathe better and avoid any respiratory health issues. In addition, it may prevent mold growth and remove pollutants, contributing to the overall health
DEALING with the pandemic has brought the relationship between the construction and healthcare industries into sharp focus, sparking new and innovative ways of working – and the future is looking bright. That was the key message from national framework provider Pagabo’s latest ‘Building Blocks’ podcast, hosted by executive chairman Gerard Toplass. The construction industry was given a glimpse of how the future could look as a result of the government’s plans for major investment in healthcare over the next decade, thanks to a vastly improved, collaborative and well-integrated supply chain, which evolved during the pandemic. The ways in which the whole industry united and problem-solved on the hoof was nothing short of impressive, adapting rapidly to ever-changing guidance to ensure as much certainty and support for clients as possible. This was a point driven home by podcast guest Stuart McArthur, health sector lead at Sir Robert McAlpine, who was also joined by John Carson, head of capital development and planning at NTW Solutions (a subsidiary of Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), and Stephen Jenkins, director at Turner and Townsend. Throughout the conversation, the group discussed the ramifications of COVID-19, how their various projects were affected, the lessons learned, and how that all feeds into the future – particularly in relation to the benefits of frameworks. The challenges faced The number one priority for any and all businesses – no matter their industry – was the health and safety of staff. This was especially true within healthcare and its associated supply chains to be able to continue to deliver critical work and services. During the initial days of the first lockdown, many construction sites ground to a halt while clarity was provided on what work should continue. But when this clarity was provided from the government, the industry reacted with real agility, flexibility and innovation to find ways to keep schemes going, while introducing the necessary safety measures. Stephen Jenkins recalled the agility seen on construction sites, combining with a centralised and joined-up project management approach leading the way on solving the new problems thrown up each day. This attitude towards evolving practises and procedures in a safe and sensible way is something that was echoed in the pre-construction phase as well and is something that will certainly benefit the wider industry moving to the future. John Carson, whose team was involved in creating the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East also reiterated the personal impact. There had to be a focus on wellbeing and looking after people’s mental health. People have very different tolerance levels, and the pandemic had a detrimental effect on everyone due to the combined uncertainty and personal challenges they were facing. Certainly, one of the biggest changes we have seen in the industry is the impact COVID-19 has had on both designs and costings as clients look to ‘pandemic-proof’ hospitals and other schemes, as well as considering how more remote working of staff can impact capital costs. Knitting together relationships and futureproofing through frameworks The real power of frameworks comes from the long-term relationships that can be built, which are over time continually improved to form some of the strongest working collaborations in the market. This is something particularly pertinent in the healthcare sector, where there are hugely complex clients. With the NHS and its entities there are multi-stakeholder environments that bring together clinical and technical expertise, and there are very rigorous and complex approvals processes to navigate too. Clients and the frameworks that projects are procured through have all evolved over time. All have evolved to put more focus on social value, wanting to demonstrate the wider benefits from schemes – particularly large-scale healthcare projects – in the wider society. They often provide the best value to clients, but it is important to remember that best value is about more than just costs. The benefit of frameworks is the overarching platform, broader objectives and a longer-term timescale they have, which allow behaviours to be built over time and focus to be put on values and outcomes. This bigger picture of best value brings together strands – such as technology and carbon – that have previously been looked at in silos until very recently, when they are inherently connected. The key to unlock all of this is digital and data. For example, the right digital construction techniques and toolkits will enable better and more adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC), along with the parallel assessment of carbon impact. The Construction Playbook – which was first published almost a year ago and has provided the whole industry with direction on a number of core best practice principles – focuses heavily on MMC and digital adoption. These methods will combine with ongoing learnings from the supply chain, such as the real value in repetitive design. For example, once a treatment room or seclusion suite has been designed, the knowledge is there and can be repeated – and through MMC methods like modular construction can be built much more quickly. Together, the construction and healthcare sectors continue to innovate and work together to tackle combined issues – and create a better future for everyone, knitted together by a data-driven approach. You can listen to the most recent episode of Pagabo’s ‘Building Blocks’ podcast on Anchor and YouTube, and for more information please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/.
Construction output fell 1.8% in volume terms in October 2021, this is the largest monthly decline since April 2020 when output fell by 41.7%; new work fell (2.8%) from September to October 2021 while repair and maintenance remained unchanged (0.0%). Like recent months, anecdotal evidence in October 2021 from businesses continues to suggest that product shortages caused by supply chain issues leading to subsequent price rises in raw materials such as steel, concrete, timber and glass, were an important reason for the decline. At the sector level, the main contributors to the decline in monthly output in October 2021 were infrastructure and private new housing, which decreased 7.1% and 4.4% respectively; these decreases were partially offset by increases in private industrial and public other new work of 8.8% and 7.0% respectively. In line with the monthly fall, construction output fell by 1.2% in the three months to October 2021; this was because of a 1.5% fall in repair and maintenance (mainly because of a 3.5% fall in non-housing repair and maintenance) and a fall of 1.0% in new work (with new housing (both public and private), public other new work, and private commercial new work all falling). Allan Callaghan, Managing Director of Cruden Building, part of the Cruden Group said: “While the latest construction output figures have declined this month, we are beginning to see some green shoots of recovery in the sector. This is largely due to many significant construction projects nearing completion so it’s important that the industry maintains this momentum with a strong pipeline of new building projects to help with the ongoing recovery into next year. At Cruden, we have secured a healthy construction pipeline for 2022, particularly as we are included in a number of important procurement frameworks coupled with a robust housing market across central Scotland. “Logistical difficulties, arising from material and labour shortages, remain prevalent throughout the sector. That’s why we are putting our continued focus and investment in our apprentices and the lifelong development of employees through our Cruden Academy in order to help mitigate against the impact of these industry challenges.”
Simon Rowland, Partner and Head of Construction and Engineering and Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, take a look at the events of 2021 and the potential challenges and opportunities that the sector could be presented with in 2022. There is no doubt that 2021 has been a tough year for the construction industry. Global disruption from the pandemic, Brexit and environmental disasters have left their mark on the sector. In the latest ONS figures, construction outputs fell for the third month in a row. Figures for July and August slumped back to their lowest point since February, hitting 58.7 on the UK index – a sharp reduction from the 24 years high of 66.3 in June. With the sector at an apparent impasse and sustainability increasingly high on the global agenda, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) look more and more likely to be a key part in addressing the struggles faced by the construction industry. In the face of such a dramatic drop in productivity, industry heavyweights are putting their stakes on MMC. For example, volume housebuilder Barratt has reported that 25 per cent of the 12,243 homes built by the end of its most recent financial year used MMC. As 2021 draws to a close, it’s time to consider new construction solutions for a new world. Brexit and supply chain issues In January 2020, we saw the UK finally leave the European Union almost four years after the Brexit referendum. While the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement has protected trades from any further tariffs, additional red tape and border checks have inevitably slowed down the movement of construction supplies. Given that 80 per cent of timber used in the UK is imported, wildfires and insect damage in supplier countries such as Canada and Sweden have also had a detrimental impact on stock. The shortage of materials has resulted in a price hike that cannot be underestimated. The Timber Price Index hit 92.13 in May 21 Trade Federation (TTF) reported that timber prices surged by 50 per cent between January and May 2021. Add to that, the October 2021 data from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showed that structural steel costs were 72.6 per cent higher than the year previous, and in November we saw steel prices increase for the seventh time in 2021. With these and other shortages across the board, it’s a perfect storm for disruption in an industry built on tight margins. While MMC is not the silver bullet to addressing the materials crisis and certainly not a short-term solution for everyone, MMC’s added benefits of less waste and less weather damage could clearly help the industry. Housing crisis The UK housing crisis is reaching fever pitch, with house prices rising faster than every other economic metric. The government itself has said that “a significant proportion of homes must be built using modern methods of construction (MMC) if we are to meet the target to deliver 300,000 homes annually”. Areas such as the South East of England in particular are in desperate need of housing, but lack the local skilled workforces required to carry out onsite construction. MMC presents an opportunity to tackle the housing crisis in key areas of the country, while at the same time supporting local communities in different areas of the country through investment in MMC manufacturing sites, thus aiding the “levelling up” agenda. Skills shortage In June 2021, the ONS reported that the number of EU workers seeking jobs in the UK has dropped by 17 per cent. But unlike the supply issues, the UK’s skills shortage began long before the UK’s departure from the EU. In 2018, the ONS reported that construction had fallen out of the list of top 10 jobs for people aged 22-29. MMC has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs for UK workers – it is estimated that if 75,000 modular homes are constructed per year it could create 50,000 new jobs. The challenge, however, lies in attracting new talent to the industry and keeping workers engaged. The solution to this may be to appeal to a younger, increasingly environmentally conscious workforce, who wants to make a positive contribution to society in a sustainable industry. MMC offers a route to greener buildings, and this could make the sector more attractive to younger workers. Move to sustainability 2021 has been the year of sustainability. As we strive for a green recovery, electric vehicles, plant-based industries, renewable energy technologies and more have been at the forefront of both government and industry objectives for the future. Momentum has grown throughout the year, gathering pace in the lead up to COP26. This represents a major global shift towards reducing CO2 emissions to protect the planet. As we embark on a decade of climate action, MMC has an opportunity to fill a gap in the housing market for homes that contribute to Net Zero targets. MMC enables geographical fluidity which then contributes to a reduction of on-site pollution levels and material waste. It bolsters the argument for focusing on a method of building with a lower environmental impact. Looking ahead to 2022 Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, PDL, Construction and Engineering, Womble Bond Dickinson What can we expect for the construction industry in 2022? 2022 for the construction industry is likely to bring the continued development of many of the themes mentioned above. MMC will remain high on the agenda, with continued investment and learnings by the industry. There will be further discussions around how to incentivise increased use of MMC, part of which will be driven also by the need to standardise MMC so it is more easily and more widely adoptable. Materials and labour and skills shortages are here to stay for the immediate future. It will take time for the dust to settle on materials shortages, for the industry to work out how to increase efficiencies and reduce waste, and to find new or alternative supply chains
If you notice any cracks on your wall, bulging on your floor, or experience difficulties closing your doors, you may be facing a serious foundation leakage problem. You shouldn’t wait till the signs erupt into a disaster, or you will end up spending too much money doing the repairs or lose your home altogether. When you notice the tell-tale signs, contact foundation repair contractors immediately and explain to them your situation. They will send experts to examine your house and propose the most plausible solutions at an affordable cost. Even then, here are some of the reasons you should not wait till these leakages need fixing. The Longer You Wait, the More the Damage Just like any other damage that occurs around your home, the longer you postpone repairing those damages, the bigger the issue will be. If you notice these foundation risks early enough, it becomes easier and cheaper to repair them. However, if you ignore them, you will spend a great deal of what would have been otherwise a small fix. Increased Water Damage Water damage is the last thing you would want to occur in your home. The more you put off repairing foundational leakages, the more you put yourself at risk of having such damages. If these leaks grow larger, then you will end up with a situation where you have water leaking into your house, and especially your basement. This water can cause massive damage to your floors, carpets, and other items in your house. It will also cause mold and mildew to grow leading to a foul smell within your home. It could easily drive you out of your house if you do not take measures early enough. Spending More Money It is rather obvious that you will end up spending more money if you are forced to repair major damages. If you notice foundational leakages and ignore them, you will certainly be forced to repair them at one point or another. The earlier you do so, the less you will spend. However, if you continue waiting you will have a serious problem on your hands. You could even end up tearing down the entire floor and rebuilding again. This type of repair could set you back a couple of years in terms of your finances. You Open Your Home to Pests Cracks and gaps in your walls and floors are avenues or gateways for pests such as rats and mice to invade your home. These pests take advantage of such leaks to find better shelter and food. You will even start having dangerous animals such as snakes. The pests can cause serious sanitary problems in your house that can cause serious ailments. Furthermore, they can also cause further damage by urination, chewing, and nesting within your home. Getting the services of an exterminator to get rid of such rodents is just wasting time and money. You can avoid all that by simply repairing minor damages when you notice them.
Tradesman and tradeswomen are being urged to get involved with the ‘Big Brew’ – a new national campaign to highlight the mental health crisis in the construction sector. The Big Brew started on 1 October and has encourage tradespeople to connect and talk over a cuppa in a bid to remove the taboo around mental health across the construction industry. The event is the brainchild of national construction charity Band of Builders (BoB), which is organising a range of events on construction sites and at builders’ merchants up and down the UK to encourage people within the industry to come together to discuss mental health issues and support one another, breaking down the stigma around mental health – and also helping the charity fund its vital services. Resideo (through its Honeywell Home brand), Jewson, DeWalt and JW Grant are supporters of the Big Brew and have already pledged to host events throughout October. The campaign comes amid a mental health crisis within the industry, with the suicide rate of UK construction workers estimated to be as high as two people every day. UK construction workers are also nearly three times more likely to die by suicide than their counterparts in other industries. Further shocking figures show that: ● In the UK alone, more than 400,000 working days were lost to mental health issues in 2018 (55% of all days lost)1 ● Mental health issues cost the UK construction industry approximately £37 billion every year ● A survey in 2019 found that 90% of construction managers said they had struggled with their mental health2 BoB is a registered charity that helps members of the UK construction industry who are battling illness or injury. It does this through the completion of practical projects, with volunteer tradespeople giving up their time to work on these projects, while materials are donated by companies across the construction industry. Peter Cape, Big Brew lead at BoB, wants to encourage tradespeople to get involved with the Big Brew. “It’s so important that members of the construction community look out for each other, including talking about mental health or looking for the telltale signs that fellow roofers may be struggling – and what better way to do it than over a brew, especially a big one,” said Peter. He went on to say: “We are all acutely aware of the mental health crisis within construction. Suicide rates in the sector were already at one per day before the COVID pandemic, according to ONS figures, and it’s widely accepted that these have worsened to closer to two per day3. “At Band of Builders, we see the struggles of our colleagues within our community on a regular basis and see peer-to-peer support as vital to addressing this crisis. That’s where the Big Brew comes in. By encouraging people to do such a basic thing – sharing a brew – we want to create a space where tradespeople and others in the sector can share experiences, break down taboos around mental health and support one another. The Big Brew isn’t just about a few one-off events but about creating something long term that will address one of the biggest issues in our industry all year round.” What the Big Brew will fund Anyone can host a Big Brew – and builders wishing to register to host their own events can visit https://www.bandofbuilders.org/the-big-brew/ to find out more. Hosting a Big Brew will offer a place for people to meet and share a cuppa. It will also help raise funds to provide a range of mental health support services aimed at members of the UK construction industry and focused on supply chain companies, small businesses and the self-employed, who were recently discovered to be at higher risk than those working in larger organisations. These support services will include: · Funding dedicated industry mental health support lines · The provision of interim counselling services to support members of the UK construction industry · The provision of counselling support for BoB beneficiaries and volunteers · The provision of 300 free mental health awareness course places for small and medium-sized businesses and the self-employed. BoB will also work with fellow construction charity The Lighthouse Club and partners on the Beacons campaign, which aims to increase the provision of, and access to, regional peer support groups Know your wellbeing STATS Peter Cape added that, as part of the campaign, the Big Brew will encourage tradespeople to remember their wellbeing STATS and support one another: S – Support each other T – Talk about it A – Always ask twice T – Take it seriously S – Stop the cycle He said: “Wellbeing STATS around mental health are vital, and we hope that the Big Brew will be a way for tradespeople to start opening up, even just a little bit, because we all need to do everything we can to start reversing the mental health crisis in the construction sector.” Support the Big Brew at https://www.bandofbuilders.org/the-big-brew/
If you have been thinking about purchasing a property abroad for a little while now, why not consider buying a plot of land and building your own instead? After all, constructing your own dream home will not only ensure it fits the exact size, design specifications and purpose you require – whether that be to let it out, set it up as a second holiday home or your permanent residence – but it could also increase your total profit when selling in the future. However, while this may all sound well and good in principle, without the right time, dedication and investment, it could wind up being a whole lot easier said than done. Therefore, before you rush into designing your dream home abroad, it’s important to consider a few things in advance. From your total budget to the legal rules and regulations you’ll need to abide by, join us as we run through the key questions to ask yourself in preparation, highlighting some of the biggest mistakes property investors tend to make when constructing property overseas. Is now the right time to buy? In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the housing market has become more and more difficult to predict. Some experts say it’s a buyer’s market, whereas others say it’s a seller’s, so it can be hard to know who is right. As with any real estate investment though, it’s imperative to do your research in advance. That way, you will give yourself the best chance of not only finding a good construction agency to carry out the work but you will also be able to identify the best countries – or areas of countries – to invest in. Panorama Properties’ Property Market Report 2021, for instance, highlights how frugal Marbella currently is for sellers, with house sales seen to have increased by 68% this year when compared to 2019. At the same time, however, the price of construction has also increased by 8.56% since April 2021, thus highlighting that Marbella may not currently be the best area to build a new property in. Do you have enough of a budget? Building a new property isn’t always as simple a process as it may appear and will often comprise a number of caveats and hurdles to overcome along the way. As such, it’s important not to throw all your eggs into one basket, investing every penny that you owe into creating your dream home. Instead, you need to plan ahead and ensure you have both the time and money available to complete the project. What’s more, you should also assume that it will cost more and take longer than you think it will as, most of the time, this will be the case. Do you know what type of property you are looking to construct? One of the hardest components to building your own home abroad is knowing exactly what you want to achieve. Just because you love the look and feel of your home in the UK, that won’t necessarily mean that you will have the same materials available to you when building abroad. Likewise, it’s important to consider the context of your build. If, for example, you are building by the coast, discuss with your architect in advance about how much toll the sun and sea are likely to take and which materials are best suited to the location. This advice, in turn, should help shape a lot of your decisions, making it easier for you to understand how much of an outlay to expect come the end of the build and bringing me onto an important point. It’s imperative to only ever work with an architect you can trust. While you may be able to save a fair bit working with a less well-known architectural firm, you could also run into many more expensive issues should anything go wrong later on down the line. Do you trust your contractor? If you have decided to bite the bullet and self-build your own holiday home, take the time to research and investigate the track record of the contractor you are thinking of working with. Look at their reviews, previous work and scrutinise their architectural plans – from the window frames to the quality of screws – with a lot of detail. Your contract agreement is only worth as much as the person with whom you enter into it, so it’s imperative to only ever work with someone you can trust; something that is especially true if you are unable to oversee the work regularly yourself. Final thoughts… When done right, constructing property abroad can be an extremely astute investment decision, providing you with a home that – as seen in Marbella – could generate thousands over time. However, before you get going with it, it’s imperative to do your homework in advance. That way, you will give yourself the best possible chance of creating a property that is as beautifully designed as it is highly profitable.
Every homeowner must make it a priority to maintain the appearance of their home- both inside and out. If you’ve been beautifying the interiors, now is the time to do the same for your outside space. Depending on your goals or objectives, you can make modifications or upgrades to your outside space to make it a more welcoming extension of your home. It can be used to entertain family and guests or serve as a personal space to unwind and enjoy the outdoor scenery after a hectic day. If you’re still undecided on how to improve your property’s outdoor space, here are several valuable tips to consider to create the ideal alfresco area. 1. Select The Right Outdoor Furniture Adding the right outdoor furniture can set the right mood for your alfresco space. If you want to create an extra dining area with a beautiful view of your garden or yard, consider purchasing an outdoor dining set. You may also look for an outdoor sectional couch with a coffee table if you intend to use your outdoor space for leisure or relaxation. It is also best to choose furniture that can withstand the elements and last for a long period. Aside from comfort, the furniture you select should be washable for simplicity and ease of maintenance. 2. Choose Matching Outdoor Blinds Another element to consider when improving your outdoor space is installing patio blinds. Often referred to as cafe blinds, outdoor blinds, or alfresco blinds, they make a lovely addition to your outside space and are readily available in various materials such as PVC, canvas, or woven mesh. Installing café blinds protects your space from year-round weather conditions and even harmful UV rays. Although there are numerous options available, selecting the best one for your home can be difficult. One place to begin is to decide on the style you want to bring about in your outside space. The colour of the blinds is also an important factor to consider. If you don’t want your blinds to look out of place, you should choose a colour that complements your outdoor furniture. Don’t forget about the blinds’ mechanism. You can pick between a manual and a motorized variant. Motorized blinds are a good option if you want a hassle-free operation. 3. Include A Grill If you enjoy hosting parties for your family and friends, a grill is an excellent addition. When you have one, you can easily prepare steaks or hotdogs and serve them to your visitors while they are still hot. You can go for a small or large grill, depending on the amount of available outside space you have. 4. Integrate Proper Lighting Lighting is one of the most important aspects of your alfresco area. With the right outdoor lighting, you can simply transform and turn it into an extension of your house. You can also install path lights around the seating area to impart a cozy vibe, while wall lighting such as sconces can create a more relaxed ambience. Spotlights can be used to draw attention to any outdoor features in your yard or garden, such as sculptures or a water wall. String lights can also bring an exciting element by lighting up the trees. If you have a food preparation area or an outdoor kitchen, you may also want to consider installing dimmable LED downlights. Adding decorative lighting to illuminate steps and pathways does not only add visual appeal and aesthetics but also as a safety measure for you and your guests. 5. Select The Right Accessories Your outdoor area won’t be complete without having the right accents and accessories. If you haven’t purchased them yet, think about the colours you want to use as they affect the overall atmosphere or mood of the place. You may opt for delicate hues for sheer elegance or bold colours for a pop of fun and personality. Throw pillows and a boldly-patterned outdoor rug makes versatile accessories that could complement any outdoor furniture. It’s also a good idea to add a large planter to your patio to highlight your plants and provide dimension to the room. In addition, a decorative wall feature, such as a large-size artwork or an accent wall in a contrasting colour or textured finish, can also make the space more inviting. 6. Add A Fire Pit During cool evenings, everyone can still enjoy the outdoors when you have a fire pit in place. Whether you enjoy hosting outdoor dinner parties or spending time with family on weekends, a fire pit as a focal point for your outdoor seating area is a fantastic addition. Final Thoughts Creating the ideal alfresco space in your home is easy, and you don’t have to spend a fortune. If you want your outside area to make a good impression, keep it modest by only including the essentials and items you actively use. With these suggestions, you’ll be able to effortlessly create the perfect alfresco setting that everyone will enjoy.
Award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group has partnered with Gathering Voices to provide the local arts charity with exclusive use of the buildings at the former Park Furnishers site in Bristol in a bid to help support local artists working in the city. Forming part of the wider Whitehouse Street regeneration, Hill acquired the site in 2020. Since then, Hill have been working in partnership with Bristol City Council and Galliard Apsley to bring forwards a framework for wider regeneration with plans to create a new mixed-use development consisting of new homes, commercial space and new public realm improvements. “We are delighted to be working with Gathering Voices to help them support local artists by providing a location for such a wide range of creative outputs. With complementary social values, this partnership will help us deliver a lasting, positive legacy in Bristol, delivering much-needed new homes whilst supporting the local community,” said Andy Fancy, Regional Managing Director at Hill. As the project undergoes the early stages of consultation and development, Gathering Voices has been granted exclusive use of the warehouse on a fixed contract to occupy the old Park Furnishers building. Here, they will be creating Stillhouse Studios, a creative space for established and experienced artists, designers, and makers alike to create textile work and various film, photography and performing arts projects along with creative educational sessions for all ages. Ideas for the external parking spaces include food-based markets and innovative environmental projects to bring wildlife to the site. “The arts sector has been one of the biggest casualties of the pandemic where creativity and collaborations have had to be put on hold, which has affected our local community initiatives heavily. We are delighted to be working with an empathetic developer like Hill to bring to life our most recent creative space where we’ll be able to offer more opportunities for communities of Bristol,” added Hannah Klewin, Director at Gathering Voices. With a creative outreach programme designed to bring life back to underused and vacant spaces in and off East Street, Gathering Voices (est. 1985) is an innovative arts charity working primarily with children and young people. The charity also supports adults in music, mentoring, youth leadership and creative projects designed to empower and build community.
Looking to convert your loft and add value to your home? By working with an expert in loft conversions Essex property owners trust and choosing the right style of conversion, you’re all set for success. How much value can it add? First of all, you are probably wondering how much value a loft conversion could add to your home. It’s a pretty impressive amount, actually! A converted loft can add anything from 10% to 20% to the value of your property. Whether you are planning to sell in the near future or you are going to stay put for a while yet, converting your loft could leave you better off in the long run. Styles of loft conversion If you do decide to convert your loft, it’s important that you choose the right kind of conversion for your property in order to maximise your home’s value. You can take your pick from the following types of loft conversion: • Velux loft conversion: This is the cheapest and least disruptive kind of loft conversion to carry out. If you already have ample space for your needs in your loft, the addition of Velux windows, a sturdy floor and proper stair access will make it a much more welcoming space. • Dormer loft conversion: This style of loft conversion is so popular, and is the one you’re most likely to see in your local area. This type of conversion protrudes from the side of the roof, giving you more head room and floor space. In terms of pricing, they’re somewhere in between a Velux and hip to gable conversion. • Hip to gable: If you want a natural looking extension, then a hip to gable is perfect. This involves building up the gable on the hipped side of the roof – giving the extension its name. It gives you the greatest amount of space out of all the kinds of loft conversion, so could be the best option if that is your top priority. You should also check what kind of roof you have before you proceed. Trusses are supports that run through the cross-section of the loft. If you have those, a loft conversion will require a little more work. What to use it for Another thing to consider is what your loft conversion will be used for – as this can influence how much value it adds to a home. Buyers are keenest on extra bedrooms, with an en suite bathroom adding even more value. A lot people choose to use their loft as a home office or a hobby space, but this can easily be reconfigured and marketed as an extra bedroom when the time comes to sell. A converted loft is such a versatile space, and when you work with an experienced builder, they will be able to marry your vision with adding as much value as possible to your property. Start planning today The sooner you start making plans (including checking whether you need planning permission), the quicker you will be able to boost both the space in your home and its value. So what are you waiting for?
Regular carpet cleaning is the most recommended solution when it comes to having spotless carpets that are free from dust, bacteria, and mites. It allows people to breathe better and avoid any respiratory health issues. In addition, it may prevent mold growth and remove pollutants, contributing to the overall health of the occupants and the cleanliness of a property. Although customers could clean their dirty carpets on their own, professional carpet cleaners may deliver the best results possible. If you’re planning to start a carpet cleaning business, you may want to know how to make sure that your services are top-notch. You could start with keeping equipment downtime in check as it’s one of the factors that’d greatly affect your business productivity. Keep reading to find out how you can do just that. The Effects Of Equipment Downtime Equipment downtime is the period when a machine or device isn’t working or has poor performance. Although it could be an effect of maintenance runs, it’s still usually associated with defective or problematic equipment. While this may not happen too often for many businesses, it still comes with a wide range of adverse effects. Here are some of them: Late Delivery Of Services If equipment downtime becomes frequent and lasts too long, the cleaning process may be slowed down because of unplanned stops. Because of this, the carpets’ time of pickup or delivery may exceed what’s expected, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Low Productivity If the low time continues for days or weeks, the production may fall behind the target numbers. Hence, the company’s sales may drop while the operation and maintenance costs remain the same. Workers’ Burnout Carpet cleaners may suffer from burnout because of non-continuous operation. They may need to work double time to make up for the time lost due to malfunctioning equipment. Decrease Of Returning Customers As a result of persistent or frequent downtime, the number of loyal customers you have may decrease because of dissatisfaction. Steps To Minimize Downtime To prevent any of those possible effects from happening to your business, you may consider doing the following to maximize your equipment’s performance and the productivity of your business: 1. Use High-Quality Carpet Cleaning Equipment Carpet cleaning equipment is the heart and soul of carpet washing services. With high-performing tools and machines, you can wash and rinse carpets and rugs alike with ease, which would help you achieve more of your business goals. If you don’t know what features to look for in equipment, check out this list: Auto-Mix Function: The equipment would have an automatic mixing capability for water and detergent. Crevice Tool: This component is used in cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of thick carpets. Detergent Spray: This allows for pre-wash soaking to remove stains quickly. Dry Vacuuming: This has dry-cleaning attributes perfect for water-sensitive materials. Turbo Function: The equipment would have rotating brushes that deep-clean rugs. Water Heating Capability: Warm water increases the efficiency of the cleaning process. Apart from having high-end features, the equipment you get should be durable and can withstand prolonged use. It has to be easy to clean and maintain as well. Furthermore, it needs to be simple to repair or rewire whenever it encounters certain issues. To deliver excellent services, you need to have a complete set of top-quality carpet cleaning equipment and components, such as positive displacement blowers. If you want to learn more about those machines, you may visit websites such as https://www.nwflowtech.com/products/positive-displacement-blowers/. 2. Upskill Workers Regularly The perfect partner for any reliable equipment is a well-trained and skilled operator. Entry-level workers tend to start with limited knowledge and skills, but with enough experience and training, they can be adept at their jobs. Seasoned and highly trained staff know what to do to keep equipment downtime to a minimum. If a machine isn’t working because of minor damage, skilled operators may troubleshoot it to restore the equipment. Apart from that, upskilled workers could detect early signs of damage that could be prevented. This way, they can suggest when a piece of equipment should undergo a maintenance checkup. To create a team of expert workers, prioritize hiring experienced carpet cleaners right from the start. Alternatively, you could provide a series of training sessions to the inexperienced workers. This can be scheduled every three to six months, depending on your employees’ current skill level. The upskilling may continue even after workers become familiar with the ins and outs of carpet cleaning. Apart from skills training, the following are some of the areas that business owners should help their employees improve in: Basic maintenance Workplace safety Productivity courses You may implement cross-skilling training for workers who are assigned to menial cleaning operations. These employees could learn the more complex skills necessary to fix more serious problems. This way, they’d know when and how to replace essential parts. In addition, cross-skilled workers could do emergency repairs if required so they don’t have to wait for anyone else to carry out fixes for them. 3. Listen To Your Workers’ Input And Feedback Many of your staff members may have something to share and suggest whenever there’s trouble with a particular piece of equipment. To make the most of this, listen to their input and feedback regarding any difficulty they encounter when they’re operating a specific machine. You may also conduct a survey among your workers to get ideas on how to cope with downtime issues. Those gestures would provide you with a new perspective on the situation and empower the workers by making them feel that they’re truly part of the organization. Aside from that, you could increase worker’s productivity by providing incentives. This could be based on their general performance, attendance and punctuality, and the actions or measures they take every time a machine malfunctions or breaks down. 4. Improve Maintenance Runs Conducting maintenance runs is essential in a carpet cleaning business. This involves inspecting the overall condition of the machine and its parts. You may need to schedule your maintenance activities for
