If your building makes employees experience sick building syndrome (SBS), it’s time for you to take this matter seriously. SBS is a condition where people get sick because of the building’s condition. Many factors contribute to this, like poor indoor air quality and other subfactors that weren’t considered beforehand.  Since the sick building syndrome includes many symptoms, it’s difficult to tell if one is only experiencing a common cold. One thing to tell things apart is when the symptoms continue to reoccur when someone visits or returns to the exact location. If you want to know more about this specific disorder, you can get more information here.  It’s imperative for buildings to be constructed with one’s health concern in mind. Thus, if you’re on your way to construct or renovate, here are some ways to prevent health problems from your building: 1. Improve Air Ventilation Doubling the air ventilation system in your building will also double the output for your workers’ cognitive function. This will impact productivity and performance, resulting in decreased sick leaves by employees. Although investing in double ventilation may cost a bit higher initially, this will create a better atmosphere and working environment on your office floors. Inadequate ventilation will lead to high humidity and increase carbon dioxide concentrations, which will cause people to feel stuffy and suffocated. Proper ventilation controls odors and dilutes gases, as well as hampers the spread of respiratory diseases.  Invest in a good quality HVAC system for all offices and floors of your building. Also, consider your structure’s demographic location as summer and winter season often requires your air conditioner and heater to function perfectly.  2. Allow More Natural Light  Even in the old times, many building occupants usually complain about the lighting. It may be too dark and dim or some buildings are blasted with harsh fluorescents. The good thing about technological advancement is that many building construction projects have now utilized more natural lighting and techniques, like task lighting, dimmers, and timers. Such methods are suitable for the environment, as well as result in happier and more productive employees and building occupants. Another good news in the field of natural lighting in buildings is that more scientific research is being conducted on how some lighting designs can influence the body’s daily cycles and circadian rhythms. By using specific bulb designs that are blue-enriched and are naturally mimicking daylight, employees can now have improved sleep quality at night.  3. Go Green Incorporating nature into the workplace is one of the ways for buildings to become more work-friendly to everyone. Placing indoor plants and having a rooftop garden are some strategies for facilities to ensure an environment that helps maintain people’s mental health.  Indoor plants are said to reduce stress levels and sharpen people’s attention. Many companies and organizations have been keenly aware of this advantage, which is why most commercial buildings have gone green with their interiors. 4. Design Your Building Appropriately The blueprint and architectural design of your building play a vital role in maintaining the occupants’ health condition. Also, encouraging mobility and interaction between colleagues are dependent on how the building is designed.  The interior design and placements of furniture and equipment should be properly planned out. Your building should have locations for cluster printers, water coolers, and designate communal trash and recycling bins.  As for the outer part of your building, you should have streetscapes that encourage occupants and employees to take a walk, ride bicycles, or make it accessible to commute via public transportation, so occupants have a space for some physical exercises. 5. Apply Healthy Building Strategies Another way to boost your building’s defenses against disease is to enact healthy building strategies.  Know which areas and corners in the building need to be more ventilated. Use portable air purifiers on each floor and consider different innovative gadgets like touchless entryways, elevators, and automatic systems for sinks and toilet flushes. Furthermore, using enhanced disinfection and sanitization protocols will meet everyone’s demands for maintaining a clean and healthy space. Thus, invest in hygiene systems and proper training for the cleaning staff.  Ensuring a clean workspace will inspire everyone in the building to stay organized and healthy. Conclusion Ensuring that your building is in its best condition for your occupants and employees is very important, which is why it’s important to apply these different ways to prevent health problems.  Keep in mind that your building should have good ventilation, more natural light, designed with some greeneries, and should have a productive interior and exterior design. All these factors and more will ensure everyone in the building will stay healthy and happy.

The Party Wall Act 1996 governs building work that affects a shared wall, boundary or structure between adjoining properties. It sets out the specific process that must be followed to protect the interests of both Building Owners and Adjoining Owners. The Act typically applies to loft conversions, basement excavations, building extensions and similar types of construction work in terraced or semi-detached homes.  But what about building work in the garden? You may well think that a new building at the bottom of the garden would not fall within the scope of the Act, but you could be wrong. Take the example of a homeowner wishing to build a standalone garden office.  Building a garden office As a result of the recent lockdowns, home working is now not only far more widespread than ever before, but many people are expressing a desire to work from home permanently, at least some of the time. And with living space in the home under increasing pressure, the creation of an office in the garden is a popular solution. The good news is that a garden office less than 2.5 metres in height that is used as a home office (as opposed to business premises) is likely to fall within permitted development rights. However, it is always worth checking with the local authority to obtain confirmation that no planning consent is required. When it comes to the garden, the Party Wall Act does not apply to boundary fences, however it does apply to a garden wall that either abuts or sits astride the boundary line, even if the wall does not form part of any building. It also applies to brick-built sheds, though not timber sheds. And it applies to excavations in the garden near a neighbouring property. Is Party Wall Notice required? The Party Wall Act states that any work that could affect the structural integrity or support function of the party wall or structure, or could damage the neighbouring side of the wall, must be notified. This includes Demolishing and/or rebuilding a party boundary wall Increasing the thickness or height of the party boundary wall Excavating within 3 metres of a neighbouring building or structure and to a greater depth than the foundations of the neighbouring building or structure Excavating within 6 metres of a neighbouring building or structure and to a depth that is below a 45° downward line drawing from the bottom of the foundations of the neighbouring building. “The first point to consider is whether there are any shared or adjoining structures within 3 metres of the foundations to the proposed annexe,” advises party wall expert Peter Barry Surveyors. If the answer is yes, and the foundations are deeper than those to the shared or adjoining structure, Notice under section 6 of the Party Wall Act must be served. “If the external walls of the annexe are at the boundary, Notice will need to be served under section 1 of the Act.” How to serve Notice For building works in the garden, Notice must be served to all affected adjoining owners, following the process set out in the Party Wall Act. It must include the following details: Property address Details of property owners Full description of the proposed garden construction works Proposed start date for the work Date the Notice is being served Clear statement that Notice is served under the Party Wall Act Detailed drawing for any excavations Furthermore, there are clear timescales to be observed in order to comply with party wall legislation. If the planned works affect a garden boundary wall or excavation, Notice must be served at least one month before the intended start date. Each neighbouring party has 14 days in which to give their written consent, otherwise the Notice is deemed to be in dispute.  If there is a dispute, the parties can appoint a single Agreed Surveyor, or each party can appoint their own surveyor, who will determine a fair and impartial Party Wall Award in line with their statutory responsibilities. Once you have agreement, all works carried out in the garden must comply with the Notice. Clearly, as with any building work affecting neighbours, it is best practice to reach a friendly agreement in the first instance, regardless of whether Notice needs to be served for the creation of a garden office. In the interests of continued harmonious neighbourly relations, it is advisable to informally discuss the intended works, consider the neighbours’ comments and amend the plans if at all possible, before serving formal Party Wall Notice.

When you’re working on the construction of a new property, it’s always important to think about durability. Some environments will make the creation of a durable property more difficult. For instance, you might be constructing new buildings on farmland. If that’s the case then you should definitely think about the issues such as hazardous materials and exposure to the worst of the weather. There are a few ways to ensure that your new building is as durable as possible so let’s take a look at some of the best options that you could keep in mind here.  Building Location  First, you should think about the location where you’re building your new property. You must consider things like the winter direction and even exposure to the sun. The latter could be important if you’re planning on using solar panels for the new building. The ground quality can also have an impact here. If the ground doesn’t provide the right foundations then it can lead to issues with the building. As such, you should always complete a survey on any area that you’re thinking about building.  Materials And Design  You should also make sure that you are considering the design and the materials that you are using for the construction of the new property. Certain materials are more durable than others and there’s a reason why farm buildings are often metal. Farm barn sheds made from this material are more likely to withstand the test of time and you don’t have to worry about issues that complicate matters such as weatherproofing.  Speak To A Contractor You should consider speaking to your contractor about how to ensure that your building is as durable as possible and can withstand certain challenges. They probably have quite a few ideas about how to guarantee that this is the case. Be aware that an increased level of durability can mean a higher price. But in the long term, this could be a price worth paying as you will pay less in costs overall towards the upkeep of your property. You just need to speak to a few different contractors to find the right service.  Consider Usage Finally, do make sure that you are thinking carefully about what the building is going to be used for. Thinking about the farm again, you could be using it to provide shelter for livestock. If that’s the case it needs to be strong enough that a hit won’t cause it to get damaged. You might also want to consider your local climate. Are there issues with freezing temperatures? If so then this is another aspect that your contractor needs to be aware of and help you with as you set up the building.  We hope this helps you understand the best ways to approach durability with your new business, particularly if you are struggling with a difficult environment. In doing so, you can make sure that your building remains standing for years and you don’t have to worry about issues like heavy maintenance costs. 

The construction sector is regarded as being significantly conflict and dispute ridden and is one of the most claim orientated industries. Projects are usually long-term transactions with a high level of uncertainty and complexity and, as a result, they are seldom without bumps along the way. Often plans are changed and altered by project members as they react to issues that arise and, if a problem is left unsolved, it can lead to disputes that require assistance from lawyers who not only understand the legal aspects, but also the technical parts of the project. A poorly handled dispute can and will cause you financial loss, wasted time and a great deal of stress. The key to minimising these risks is an early assessment of legal and factual issues between parties to determine the appropriate manner and forum for resolving your dispute. Many disputes that end with a contested and expensive courtroom trial could have been resolved by other means but, in some cases, there is no alternative but to litigate in the courts, particularly if there is contractual interpretation required. It is also important to look at how a dispute is covered within your JCT, NEC or private contract, as provision could already have been made for the way in which it must be handled. The process of opening a construction dispute in the courts Before enacting a dispute, it is essential to seek legal guidance and, for it to be formalised, there must first be an established basis for the claim. While the process is rather straightforward, legal systems in the UK vary, so it is important to follow the one that applies to you. A major part of the dispute process is providing evidence that you took every action possible to resolve the issue without resorting to the courts. If the case has good standing and you have contacted the relevant legal professionals, you can complete a claim form to send to the court. If the claim is considered weightier, a three-track system is used to resolve the issue. Your lawyer will work alongside you to tender the claim to either a small claim [a claim that has a value below £10k], fast track claim [a claim with a value between £10-£25k] or a multi-track claim [a complex claim with a value of £25k or more].   The court will then deliver an ‘order of directions’ that outlines the process for how the case will be conducted. This will provide you with guidance on the documents that will need to be disclosed, the due process, timetable for the trial, and other variables that are specific to your case. Other resolution options It is not uncommon for court proceeding fees to exceed the value of the initial claim, which is why legal professionals will often recommend other avenues to resolve a dispute. These include mediation, adjudication, arbitration and expert determination. The Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes requires parties involved to meet at least once before litigation commences, to discuss whether an alternative form of dispute resolution would be a more appropriate means to resolve the issue. This means most cases will have to go through some form of alternative dispute resolution before going to court. Adjudication Adjudication, in some scenarios, is a statutory and contractual dispute resolution procedure. It is the process in which a neutral third party will give a decision on a dispute and is historically most prevalent in the construction industry. This is largely because if you are a party to a construction contract you have a statutory right to refer your dispute to adjudication. If you are the successful party to adjudication, you can apply to the Technology and Construction Court to enforce an adjudicator’s decision. The decision will become binding unless it is revised in arbitration or litigation. Many choose adjudication when drafting contractual terms as it is less expensive than court proceedings and is a quick method, designed to ensure cash flow is maintained during the construction process. Expert determination Expert determination is often used to resolve disputes that are of a specialist nature, such as construction, and when there is a valuation dispute. It allows an expert to determine the dispute, and the involved parties will agree to this by contract, meaning the expert’s determination is binding. If your dispute involves a valuation, expert determination is far more economical than court proceedings, and is often quicker and less formal. Arbitration Arbitration is a confidential process which sees all involved parties agree to refer the dispute to a third party who has relevant experience in the matter at hand. Disputes are resolved based on material facts, documents and relevant principles of the law. In the UK, arbitrations are governed under the Arbitration Act 1996 to ensure they are fair, cost-effective, and quick. The law is followed wherever possible and the language used is often more user-friendly and accessible in comparison to court proceedings. There are limited powers of compulsion and sanctions available to the arbitrator if one party fails to comply with the directions set, and limited appeal rights during the process. It can also come at a similar cost to litigation at court, so it is up to you to decide which process you would like to follow. Mediation Mediation is a common form of dispute resolution within the construction industry. The mediator is an independent person, whose role is not to make a decision, judge or advise, but to facilitate discussions between you and the other parties involved to resolve the dispute. Mediators are generally highly experienced in the area in which they practice and will encourage you and the other parties involved to find a solution which will suit all your needs. By entering mediation, you can help maintain business relationships whilst saving on the cost of litigation. It is also relatively quick, with the process only lasting around one to two days. However, in some cases mediation does not result in parties reaching an agreement, meaning the

Kensa Group CEO, Simon Lomax, has welcomed the Government’s long-awaited response to the recent Part L Future Homes Consultation, which states that from 2025, no new homes will be built with fossil fuel heating such as a natural gas boiler. Mr Lomax said: “Although we would always ask the Government to be prompter and more ambitious, we generally support the response which makes clear that heat pumps are expected to become the default heating choice at new build dwellings from 2025. We also welcome the continued opportunity for local authorities to specify planning conditions which mandate energy efficiency upgrades which are more demanding than mere compliance with the emerging regulations.” Based in Cornwall, Kensa has developed some unique solutions for the residential new build sector based upon the ultra-small Shoebox ground source heat pump which can be paired with a traditional cylinder or a heat battery. In most cases, the Shoebox is served by a shared ground array, thereby mimicking the system architecture in a traditional gas boiler arrangement. “A ground source heat pump provides the lowest carbon solution as the technology is far more efficient than an air source heat pump, particularly on the coldest days. The Achilles heel has always been the added cost of the array. Thankfully, we can now remove that cost from the housebuilder as there are many entities who will fund the underground architecture in return for a standing charge paid by the householder. A ground source heat pump now costs no more than an air source heat pump,” added Mr Lomax. The technology has been installed at a new build development in Bristol to help the city achieve its carbon-neutral pledge. 133 homes at Ashton Rise are being heated by individual Kensa ground source heat pumps connected to a shared ground loop array of boreholes. The installation will see each home making lifetime carbon savings of 30 tonnes compared to individual gas boilers, whilst also protecting local air quality from the harmful NOx emissions associated with fossil fuel heating systems.

A survey is an important part of any property transaction. This building survey will tell buyers and sellers if there is anything important that needs fixing either before a sale, or that may affect the market value of the property. Building surveys carried out in advance of a sale being completed are generally designed to help buyers to make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed, to assess whether or not the purchase price is reasonable, and to determine if any action needs taking before contracts are exchanged. There are a range of different building surveys that can be carried out including the RICS Condition Report, RICS HomeBuyer Report and RICS Building Survey. The Building Survey is the most in depth report and is recommended for listed properties, buildings more than 30 years old, properties with an unusual construction, properties that you plan to renovate, or properties that have already undergone extensive renovations. What Will The Surveyor Check? 1 – General Condition One of the most important aspects of a building survey is a report on the general condition of the property. This will involve all aspects of the property, and often gives information based on a traffic light system. 2 – Damp Proofing A building survey should include a detailed description of the results of damp tests, and a report on the condition of existing damp proofing within a property. If issues are found here via a damp survey, the report may include recommendations on the actions that should be taken to rectify the issues. 3 – Major Faults All building surveyors should check for and report on any major faults within the property. These are faults that either need dealing with urgently, or may affect the property’s market value. 4 – Urgent Problems The building surveyor will give detailed information on any urgent problems that should be inspected by a specialist before contracts are signed. This could include any structural damage, electrical faults and other serious problems. 5 – Timber Condition Building surveyors should always check for any damage to any timber in the property. This will include checking for woodworm or rot, amongst other things. 6 – Technical Information The surveyor should investigate the technical specifications of the property’s structure and the materials used. This helps to identify any properties that are of non-standard construction that may cause issues from a mortgage perspective. 7 – Energy Some modern building surveys will include an investigation into the energy efficiency of the property. If this is included, it will include an Energy Performance Certificate. How Much Will a Survey Cost? The cost of a survey will vary depending on where in the United Kingdom you are, and what kind of survey you require. The value and size of the property may also have an affect on the price that you pay for the survey. As a guide: Condition Reports should start at around £250 HomeBuyer Reports start at around £350, with an additional £100 or so for a valuation Building Surveys start at £500, however this can vary greatly depending on the age, size and unique features of the property Home Condition Surveys generally start from £400

CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is calling on construction companies to encourage eligible EU workers to apply for ‘settled status’ to ensure they can continue to work legally in the UK once the Brexit transition period is complete. The British government has indicated that anyone settled in the UK for more than five years as of exit day (31, January, 2020) – will likely to be able to gain ‘settled status’ which will grant them the same rights as British citizens. Those who do not meet the five year criteria may still be able to gain pre-settled status which will allow them a grant of limited leave to remain for five years.  Eligible EU nationals have until 30 June 2021 to submit  an application – after which if they haven’t done so and they continue to work in the UK they will be doing so illegally.  However there are concerns that language barriers and a lack of awareness of the requirement may prevent some workers from completing the application potentially driving them into the illegitimate labour market.  Employers can help by spreading awareness of the need to apply for ‘settled status’ and offering assistance where required – such as access to computers to complete the application. It is free to apply and a step-by-step application guide is available in 26 European languages. The application can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status Employers may also wish to consider whether as an employer they are eligible to become a sponsor which could help them to recruit from the EU in the future. https://migrate-uk.com/sponsor-licence-applications-uk-2021/

Construction companies do not only have the task of erecting buildings on time and on budget. They also have the responsibility to make sure these buildings are fit for purpose and safe for those that use them. With that in mind, there are several safety areas of which construction businesses need to be aware. Keep reading to find out what they are.  Building Safety Bill  The first thing that construction firms need to be aware of is the Building Safety Bill. This is a new bill brought in by the UK government in response to the Grenfell tragedy.  Firstly, the bill outlines better safety features for multi-unit buildings and high rises. Additionally, the Building Safety Bill also extends the amount of time any construction company can be held responsible for non-compliant work. All of which means that safety should be even more critical to construction businesses than it has ever been.  Movement within the building  When considering construction safety, it is not only the infrastructure of the building, that is important. The way the building design and materials allow movement within it is also vital, as this is an essential part of how users will behave within it.  The good news is that there are several features construction businesses can use to make movement around the building as safe as possible. The first of these are stair rails, which support people using their stairs and create a barrier if they do slip or fall.  Additionally, installing anti-slip stairs made from resin can help prevent falls and accidents when users move from one area of the building to another. The good news is that such products are good value for money and hard-wearing enough to last for a long time too, making them an excellent investment for construction businesses looking to up their safety game.  Non-toxic materials  Another vital consideration for construction companies when it comes to building safer buildings is the materials they use. Unfortunately, traditional construction materials haven’t always been the most user friendly, with a trade-off between high toxicity and efficacy.  Sadly, building materials with high toxicity aren’t only dangerous to the people using them in building the building. They put the health of the people who inhabit the building at risk too.  The good news is that with modern technology, new materials are being created that are much less toxic and perform brilliantly. A particular example of these is the use of hypoallergenic insulation in walls and roofs. Something that keeps the building’s temperature stable effectively, but is much better for the health of the occupants.  Location considerations  Finally, when it comes to building safety builders, construction firms must always consider factors specific to their working location.  What this means is properties built on a flood plain must have additional protection built into their design.  The same goes for those in locations at higher risk of fire, erosion, and even earthquakes. If the firm building them wants to maximise the safety of those that use them and ensure that their work stands the test of time.