Seasons Greetings to all our Readers

to

All  our readers and contributors.

 

We hope to see you all again in 2018

 

 

 

The post Seasons Greetings to all our Readers appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

28 BEST CONSTRUCTION APPS 2017

IronmongeryDirect has created an infographic of the 28 most useful construction apps for iOS and Android, to put job-revolutionising tech in the pockets of those who need it.

 

Technology is revolutionising the planet, industry by industry, and the world of construction is the latest to reap the rewards. The well-known mantra, ‘there’s an app for that’, now applies to tradespeople with even the most hands-on jobs. This surge in construction app creation implies a definite shift in attitude in the industry, backed up by the recent release of PwC’s Industry 4.0, which shows the need for cloud computing, technology, 3D printing and smart tech is being increasingly valued among tradespeople. But not all construction workers and tradespeople are up to date with the latest technology, and many still resort to ‘traditional’ methods of working.

 

Time saved, money saved

According to Designing Buildings, the construction industry is one of the least efficient industries worldwide with some estimates showing a staggering 50-80% of time is wasted on the construction site. However, app technology is set to bring about change:

 

• Co-Construct: Project management app that claims to save workers at least 30 minutes a day
• Joist app for contractors: Claims to help workers win more jobs, eradicating the need to do paperwork at evenings and weekends
• Construction Master Pro: Advanced calculator app that claims to reduce costly errors on the worksite
• TSheets: App to replace paper timesheets making payroll and invoicing faster and less costly
• Fulcrum: Information capture app claims to decrease costs and risks of paper storage, effectively replacing ‘the clipboard’

Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, Wayne Lysaght-Mason, commented:

“With most people working in the construction sector now owning a smartphone, the apps we have researched have the potential to save considerable time and money. From builders, carpenters and electricians to project managers and employers, their smartphone can become their best tool with a range of powerful apps to help improve day-to-day efficiency both on site and in the office.”

 

28 useful apps for construction jobs of all sizes

The infographic created by IronmongeryDirect sums up the 28 best construction apps split by use and trade, covering things like safety, project management, measurement and planning and blueprints. It also provides handy on-the-job tools for tradespeople including glaziers, painters, electricians, plasterers and plumbers. Pros and cons are provided for each app, as well as download and subscription costs.

The post 28 BEST CONSTRUCTION APPS 2017 appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

The effect of garden villages on UK housing

The construction of one million UK homes by 2020 seemed completely unachievable when it was set by the government. However, recently-released figures show that it can and has been done. A total of 217,350 new homes were built in the 2016/17 financial year, which puts the government on course to smash its goal by the year provided.

But, did the sector just get lucky and can it do it again? One project that many in government and industry think could significantly boost the UK housing sector is garden villages — settlements built on brownfield land away from established communities.

To find out what these construction projects are — and how they could affect your industry and the British economy as a whole — check out our article.

The definition of a garden village and its construction

The creation of a garden village involves careful design and exceptional attention-to-detail in order for it to fall within the boundaries of the building project’s style. A garden village must be attractive, of high-quality and be expertly designed. These projects came about as an answer to lack of housing in the UK, so their design is focused on easing this strain — particularly for first-time buyers. Alongside garden villages, expect to see the construction of garden towns. These building projects are very similar to garden villages in design and effect, although they are much larger — with some experts predicting they could hold up to 48,000 units.

There are several ways to identify a garden village. Firstly, it consists of 1,500-10,000 houses that are all part of a single, self-contained community, which is often surrounded by a lot of green land. Secondly, they must be constructed away from a town or city, which means there is a lot of scope for garden villages to create their own identity. Each garden village has a different set up and usually, they have their own schools, shops and transport stations to boost their independence and self-reliance.

Considering its lofty housing target, it’s no shock that the government are backing credible housing schemes like garden villages. It plans to invest £6 million towards funding these 14 new garden villages, as well as a further £1.4 million to support three garden towns. What’s more, every garden village and town will gain access to the £2.3 billion housing Infrastructure Fund, which was put forward in the Autumn Statement last year.

What are the locations for upcoming garden villages?

You’ll spot garden villages popping up all over the UK, including in locations around: Cumbria, Derbyshire, Cornwall, Merseyside, Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Stratford-on-Avon, Lancaster, Essex, and Devon, among other destinations. Plans are also in place to build garden towns in Taunton, Aylesbury, and Harlow and Gilston, which are expected to provide an extra 200,000 homes.

Garden villages and potential local life ramifications

When you’re looking at ideas from a bird’s eye view, it’s sometimes easy to miss how these will affect current situation — or in the case of garden villages, local life. Housing Minister, Gavin Barwell, commented:

“The programme is about trying to make sure that we design a community infrastructure — jobs, but also school places, GPs’ surgeries, transport services — that make these places not just dormitory suburbs.”

Garden villages are built with their own facilities, including schools and general practices, so they should instead cause the creation of more jobs and facilities in a district rather than put a strain on current services. Also, these building projects will likely supply Britain with more than 50,000 homes. Consequently, we should witness a rise in manual work and job opportunities in these regions, which will help to drive money to several parts of the UK.

It’s positive news that major services are not likely to be adversely affected, however, an increase in population almost always impacts negatively on transport. More people living nearby usually means more people on roads and using public transport, which could have a negative effect on locals. However, this could be controlled if the garden village has its own transport links and roads for commuting in and out of the area.

Future garden industry trends as a result of garden villages

Alongside the economic benefits of garden villages for the UK, it seems likely that the gardening and outdoor sector is set to reap rewards from this rise in private gardens and communal areas. Expect higher consumer demand for:

• Decking (especially composite decking boards).
• Outdoor illuminations.
• Artificial lawns.
• Vintage garden furniture.
• Hot tubs.

First-time buyers and the government alike are sure to be very excited with the prospect of more garden villages to boost housing availability and boost target-hitting numbers.

 

Source:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/02/new-garden-towns-villages-provide-200000-homes-ease-housing/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-4087946/What-garden-village-welcome-one-nearby.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2517967/garden-villages-towns-what-where-why/

https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/wales/hot-tub-company-doubles-in-size-with-new-showroom

https://www.chesneys.co.uk/outdoor/heat-collection/the-heat-collection-of-barbecue-heaters/heat-500

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/09/09/developers-verge-building-fewer-homes/

The post The effect of garden villages on UK housing appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

I’m Dreaming Of A Smooth Pavement - Asphalt caroling

Tis the season to spread joy! And what better way than with song? In keeping with tradition, we’ve put an asphalt twist on a holiday classic!

We call this little number “Smooth Pavement”, a tribute to the Bing Crosby classic “White Christmas".

Smooth Pavement

I’m dreaming of a smooth pavement,
Just like the ones from down the street.
With the simple 7-step process and installation,
I know it will be ready in a heartbeat.

I’m dreaming of a smooth pavement,
With every free estimate I get.
I know I’m getting closer to a road,
Made from the finest recycled aggregate.

I’m dreaming of a smooth pavement,
One that will save my business money.
Or maybe I’ll do some driveway maintenance,
As a Christmas gift to my Honey.

I’m dreaming of a smooth pavement,
Installed by a company with a rich history.
And I know a great team of paving contractors,
Who are willing to build that pavement for me!

Looking for more ways to spread holiday cheer? Check out our Winter Coloring book! It’s the perfect thing to put out at the kids table or to help keep little hands busy while you prepare for this busy time of year!

With more than 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free estimate for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

The post I’m Dreaming Of A Smooth Pavement - Asphalt caroling appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

Company Witnessed 5000%+ Increase In Northern Irish Home Insurance Sales MINUTES BEFORE Storm Ophelia

Company Witnessed 5000%+ Increase In Northern Irish Home Insurance Sales MINUTES BEFORE Storm Ophelia

A company specialising in providing home insurance has revealed that it sold 5,284% more policies to Northern Irish customers (compared to the daily average between 16^th August 2017 and 16^th October 2017), just minutes before storm Ophelia hit Ireland last month.

 

The team at CoverBuilder (www.CoverBuilder.co.uk), which provides home insurance to the growing number of homeowners who have issues finding cover for a multitude of reasons, witnessed a huge influx of home insurance sales from those living in Northern Ireland the same day that storm Ophelia hit the country.

 

A subsequent poll of 1,039 Northern Irish homeowners aged 21 and over has found that as many as two thirds (66%) have looked into purchasing home insurance or changing their existing policy in the weeks since the storm left more than 50,000 homes and businesses without power.

 

Just under half of participants (48%) taking part also admitted to researchers that they initially ignored the early warnings of the potential damage Ophelia was capable of causing, blaming the panic on ‘excessive media coverage’.

 

Rob Rushton, Head of www.CoverBuilder.co.uk, made the following comments regarding the websites activity in the lead-up to the storm:

 

“As storm Ophelia began trending online and the winds across Northern Ireland reached speeds of 100mph and brought with it devastation across the country, here at CoverBuilder we witnessed a huge amount of panic amongst homeowners on October 16^th, with a 5,284% increase in sales of home insurance policies that day compared to the number of policies we write on a standard working day.

 

“The policies were taken out from 9:00am on the morning of the storm, prior to the worst damage taking place, and subsequently we saw a dramatic fall in enquiries during the afternoon as hundreds of thousands of properties throughout the UK and Ireland lost power. Despite the clear panic from home owners wanting to purchase insurance to protect their properties during such a scary time, we are yet to see any customers make a claim following the storm, hopefully indicating that no substantial damage was caused to any of our cautionary Northern Irish customers.”

 

The post Company Witnessed 5000%+ Increase In Northern Irish Home Insurance Sales MINUTES BEFORE Storm Ophelia appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Spotlight on…women in construction’ campaign launched in UK and Ireland to challenge perceptions

Considerate Constructors Scheme’s industry survey reveals more needs to be done to change perceptions and encourage more women into construction

Whilst 79% of respondents said the construction industry has improved its approach in encouraging women into construction, 52% have witnessed or experienced sexism within the industry.

The survey also reveals the main reasons women do not choose to work in construction cited as being:

• working conditions – 22%
• lack of female role models – 22%
• negative image of the industry – 20%

The UK and Ireland campaign ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’ has been launched by the Considerate Constructors Scheme to boost the much-needed industry effort to attract more women into the construction industry.

 

The Scheme, which makes around 15,000 monitoring visits to construction sites, companies and suppliers every year, surveyed over 1000 people to find out why women still only represent a meagre 11% of the construction industry workforce. The Campaign provides a variety of practical steps that can be taken to address this issue in the short, medium and long term.

 

The survey findings also revealed that:

 

• 94% of respondents agreed that the industry would benefit from employing more women.
• 76% said there are no construction jobs which only men can do.
• 74% said there should not be quotas for hiring women into construction.

 

It is clear from the survey, that although some results appear encouraging, there is still a huge amount to be done, particularly in addressing sexism and changing misguided perceptions of what a career in construction offers to women.

‘Spotlight on…women in construction’ pulls together the latest and greatest examples of best practice, case studies from women working across the construction industry, legal requirements and links to useful organisations encouraging women to work in construction.

The Campaign extends the Scheme’s influence in this important area; by complementing the Scheme’s monitoring Checklist which asks several questions about equality and diversity to raise standards across the thousands of Scheme-registered sites, companies and suppliers; and the role of the industry mascot, Honor Goodsite in visiting hundreds of schools across the UK and Ireland every year.

The importance of having role models is absolutely critical. As such, ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’ has interviewed a number of women within the industry to examine what opportunities and challenges they have faced and why construction offers a great career for women of all ages, backgrounds and skills.

Case study contributions include: Roma Agrawal, (Structural Engineer at AECOM and a Director of the CCS); Stephanie Bennett, (trainee Quantity Surveyor, Morgan Sindall); Victoria Betts, (Senior Site Manager, Higgins Construction); Sally Cave, (first qualified female Gas Membrane Installer in the UK); Margaret Conway, (Project Manager for McAleer & Rushe and winner of CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2017 Award); Michèle Dix (Managing Director, Crossrail 2); Katie Kelleher (Crane Operator, Laing O’Rourke); Eillish Kwai (Employment and Skills Manager, Ardmore); Kath Moore, (Carpenter and Chief Executive, Women into Construction); and Megan Robinson (Technical Coordinator at Barratt Developments plc).

Managing Director for Crossrail 2, Michèle Dix said: “Women are still underrepresented at present but I think we are starting to move in the right direction. We need to recognise the need for more flexible working arrangements, especially if we are to encourage women back after taking time off for children.

“I think there are lots of opportunities out there and one message I would give to my fellow women colleagues is “go for them!”. Be confident in your own abilities. The industry has so much to offer.”

Site Manager for Higgins Construction, Victoria Betts said: “In the time I have been working in the industry there has definitely been an increase in the amount of females working in it. The Considerate Constructors Scheme has been a big driving force in this as it insists on facilities for females that previously would not have been in place.”

Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive, Edward Hardy said: “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’. The Campaign provides a must-read set of resources for organisations and individuals who would like to improve their standards of considerate construction – with the aim of driving greater equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our industry.

“Not only is it imperative that standards must be raised in this area, in order to help encourage more women into the industry, but a more equal and diverse workforce also brings greater collaboration, creative thinking and more inclusive workplaces. This can only be a positive step in helping to improve the image of the UK and Irish construction industries.”

The Scheme will continue to update resources available within ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’ and would be very interested to hear more from the industry on this issue, including further examples of best practice and case studies. Email enquiries@ccsbestpractice.org.uk to send in suggestions.

 

Click here to read ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’.

The post Spotlight on…women in construction’ campaign launched in UK and Ireland to challenge perceptions appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Artificial intelligence in construction

Artificial intelligence is improving the way we design and build, creating endless opportunities for us to discover. Artificial intelligence is where machines exhibit their own intelligence through using algorithms to solve problems using inputted data. By harnessing robotics, construction managers can utilise intelligent machines that can perform routine tasks that were once completed by humans, such as bricklaying. Alternatively, AI systems can collate and organise information for engineers to use within project planning and design implementation.

Together with Oasys, we assess the way the construction industry is starting to use AI in order to complete projects that contain fewer errors, less omissions, safer working practices, improved workflows and more on-time worksite completions.

Four factors of construction AI

We look at the four different areas of AI when it comes to the construction industry with Oasys, specialists in building design software:

The starting stage

From the first stages of construction, AI is there to support the planning. Autonomous equipment is considered as AI as it is aware of its surroundings and is capable of navigation without human input. In the planning stages, AI machinery can survey a proposed construction site and gather enough information to create 3D maps, blueprints and construction plans.

Without the help of artificial intelligence, this is a task that would usually take weeks, but now, it can be achieved within one day. This helps to save firms both time and money in the form of labour.

Controlling construction

Controlling the project is important and helps keep everything in the right place – AI is now being used to do this.  For example, workers can input sick days, vacancies and sudden departures into a data system and it will adapt the project accordingly. The AI will understand that the task must be moved to another employee and will do so on its own accord.

Informant

Databases that have an artificial intelligence focus are helping to direct engineers on how projects they are working on need to be done.  For example, if engineers were working on a proposed new bridge, AI systems would be able to advise and present a case for how the bridge should be constructed. This is based on past projects over the last 50 years, as well as verifying pre-existing blueprints for the design and implementation stages of the project. By having this information to hand, engineers can make crucial decisions based on evidence that they may not have previously had at their disposal.

When the construction industry builds tall structures, autonomous machinery is being developed to help drivers remain out of the vehicle whilst it’s working at substantial heights. Using sensors and GPS, the vehicle can calculate the safest route.

After construction

Whether the structure was made for commercial reasons or for homes, AI can be implemented inside too. In the US alone, $1.5 billion was invested in 2016 by companies looking to capitalise on this growing market.

Las Vegas hotel Wynn has said that by the end of this year they will have an Amazon Echo in every room within their hotel. These devices can be used for aspects of the room such as lighting, temperature and any audio-visual equipment contained in the room. These systems can also be used within domestic settings, allowing homeowners to control aspects of their home through voice commands and systems that control all electronic components from one device.

Keeping records

Keeping information about structures and how they were built are important and a BIM (Building Information Modelling) can help you achieve this. It allows you to look back on management decisions and much more.

A conversation can be started by virtual assistants, also known as VAs, as well as providing the information that you need. By combining VAs alongside NFC (near-field communication), VAs can be given additional information to the building itself in real-time from various sensors in the building. For example, if there were structural problems with a building, then VAs could inform engineers specifically where the problem was and how it can be fixed.

The use of engineers, AIs and VAs can help save the construction industry a lot of time when it comes to the expected amount of work. As the future of AI becomes more of a reality within construction, only time will tell how reliant upon intelligent machines we will have to be in order to construct innovative building designs.

The post Artificial intelligence in construction appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Which listed buildings could be yours?

There are many beautiful listed buildings across the UK. There are a few on the market that could become yours if you can offer the right asking price!

Lycetts, listed building insurance provider, have brought to us ten listed buildings which are on sale right now to help you make your dreams of owning something truly unique a reality:

Durham — The Castle

The location: Castle Eden, County Durham

The grade: Grade II

The construction date: 1765

Main features: Fancy hosting a party for all of the extended family? You’ll never be short of sleeping space in this property. Boasting nine bedrooms and 14 acres of land — there’s enough space for everyone! Also find a stone-style wine vault, a palm house orangery and a cupola dome that will remind you of Rome’s Basilisca as part of the property.

Walking inside The Castle, you’ll find more luxurious furnishings. Features include a sweeping staircase, a formal drawing room, a games room and two storeys of fully-furnished bedrooms complete with bathrooms.

The asking price: £2,990,000

De Vere House in Suffolk

Where is it situated? Water Street, Lavenham, Suffolk, CO10

What is the grade? Grade I

When was it constructed? Information not available.

What are the notable features? You could be the envy of all Harry Potter fans as this property was part of the set of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. The exterior is designed to impress with exposed timbers, herringbone design, leaded mullions and ornate carved timbers.

Inside is not short of luxury either — a stone spiral staircase which comes complete with a carved brick handrail, a huge timber frame, traditional fireplaces and both Medieval and Tudor wall paintings could all be yours.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £995,000

The Old Coach House in Shropshire

Where is it situated? Badger, Shropshire, WV6 7JP

What is the grade? Grade II

When was it constructed? Built in the 18^th century, though remodelled in the mid-19^th century.

What are the notable features? This property has been around for a lot of history — it was once used as either a coach or a cart house. Today however, the property is host to a granary on the first floor with open shelter below, an oak framed orangery and conservatory, integrated double garages and approximately 0.25 acres of private garden space.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £650,000

Dukes Place in Kent

Where is it situated? Mereworth Road, West Peckham, Kent, ME18 5JH

What is the grade? Grade I

When was it constructed? Early 15^th century

What are the notable features? There are exposed timbers and oak doors which are all inspired by the Tudor era. There are plenty of additions that come with this property too — secondary accommodation, a heated swimming pool, tennis courts and a vegetable garden.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £2,975,000

Dalmoak Castle in Dumbarton

Where is it situated? Renton Road, Dumbarton, G2 4HQ

What is the grade? Grade I

When was it constructed? While an Estate called Dalmoak has been around since the Middle Ages and a structure was in place of today’s building from the 15^th century, Dalmoak Castle wasn’t built until between 1866 and 1868 by architect Alexander Watt.

What are the notable features? The castle is recognised by many as a castellated mansion house which comes complete with a tall tower. Once you enter the property you are met with a central hall with an imperial set of stairs, the property’s interior also features a drawing room featuring ceiling plasterwork and scagliola columns and a collection of stained glass windows.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £1,700,000

The Mill House in Norfolk

Where is it situated? Shotesham St Mary, Norfolk

What is the grade? Grade II

When was it constructed? Information not available.

What are the notable features? Living at The Mill House, you’ll always be entertained thanks to the Georgian-fronted property’s four bedrooms and collection of outbuildings. Another attraction is its location — set across from the River Tas.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £695,000

Whittington Old Hall in Staffordshire

Where is it situated? The parish of Whittington, in Lichfield, Staffordshire

What is the grade? Grade II

When was it constructed? Built in the 17^th century, though extended and restored in 1891.

What are the notable features? Famous as one of the first great houses of Staffordshire, this property is not one to be missed. Key features include a 19^th century Jacobean style timber fireplace surround that is heavily carved in relief, a parlour designed with floor to ceiling oak panelling and a stair window designed with stained glass and etched with the motto “WHERE ‘ERE / WE ROAM / AN ENGLISH MOTHER / IN AN ENGLISH HOME”.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £825,000

Hayes Manor in Gloucestershire

Where is it situated? Viney Hill, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15

What is the grade? Grade II

When was it constructed? The 16^th century.

What are the notable features? The size is an impressive feature of this house. The 16^th century manor house is host to four bedrooms and over an acre of gardens too.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £750,000

The Chantry in Devon

Where is it situated? Honiton, Devon

What is the grade? Grade I

When was it constructed? Estimated to have been built circa 1500s, though extended and modernized in 1937.

What are the notable features? A remarkable staircase is one memorable feature of this property. It was once described as a “remarkable staircase of heart and oak” by Richard Polwhele when covering his History of Devonshire.

The property is built from local flintstone and includes impressive features such as an old bread oven and a beamed dining room. Gardens surround the chantry where a thatched summerhouse sits and huge glasshouse. There is also a small stream that borders the property.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £775,000

Wilton Castle in Herefordshire

Where is it situated? Wilton, Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6AD

What is the grade? Grade I

When was it constructed? Originally built circa 1300, though partly demolished to make way for a house in the 16^th century which then became ruinous, and was thus adapted into a reduce house during the early part of the 19^th century.

What are the notable features? The location is one impressive feature of this property as it sits across from the River Wye.

Recently the subject of an impressive restoration programme, the Castle features architecture from a range of eras including the Norman, Tudor, Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian eras alike. It is also home to the spectacular Great Tower, Medieval castle walls and the ruins of a Tudor manor house.

How much do you need for it to be yours? £1,495,000

Sources:

The Castle:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4941734/Grade-II-listed-castle-complete-sale-3million.html

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001311

De Vere House:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67510955.html

The Old Coach House:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1367638

Dukes Place:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1070672

Dalmoak Castle:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65526191.html

The Mill House:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/period-property/9821700/Britains-best-listed-buildings-for-sale.html?frame=2459965

Whittington Old Hall:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/period-property/9821700/Britains-best-listed-buildings-for-sale.html?frame=2459972

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1038870

Hayes Manor:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/period-property/9821700/Britains-best-listed-buildings-for-sale.html?frame=2459973

The Chantry:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54648563.html

Wilton Castle:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1214349

The post Which listed buildings could be yours? appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

LARGE STUDENT RESIDENTIAL PROJECT SCOOPS PRIZE

Redesigning the site of a former Leicester bus depot as a major new student living complex has earned maber architects and contractors Winvic the prize for Large Residential Scheme of the Year at the 2017 ProCon Awards.

 

Lumis student accommodation at Southgates in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, close to De Montfort University, provides 567 bedspaces and a host of other attractions, including a gym, cinema and study areas.

 

The £28.5 million development was developed with client Viridis Real Estate and CRM Student Management, and comprises four blocks around a central courtyard, and took 75 weeks to build.

 

Mark Jones, Winvic Construction’s Director for Multi-Room, said: ‘We are delighted to receive the award, it is a great testament to our client, the design team, our project team and the supply chain for the delivery of such a high quality group of buildings. We look forward to working with the team again in the near future.’

 

Midlands-based practice maber, which was established in 1983 and recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Leicester office, provided architectural, interior and landscape design.

 

The practice’s Managing Director, Mark Hobson, said: “It’s great to see our work in Leicester earning another award. This is a terrific development and, for us, an opportunity to employ a full range of the design skills we have in house in Leicester and at our offices across the Midlands.”

 

Architects, contractors, developers and consultants worked together to optimise the use of the 7,500 sq m site, which now provides a 50/50 mix of studios and cluster bed groups of varying sizes.

 

Features designed to minimise long-term energy use include a “fabric first” approach with active energy management, combined heat and power, and uses low carbon energy from the District Heating Scheme.

 

High quality interiors suitable for the student market have been used, including neutral, modern finishes to minimise maintenance and take into account the need for robustness and ease of cleaning and replacement.

 

The central courtyard provides spaces that can be used for quiet study, relaxing, socialising or performance. Features have been introduced to facilitate and encourage interaction between students. An amphitheatre adjacent to the internal social lounge connects inside and out while an area for quiet retreat in the courtyard has sculptural attractive seating.

 

Sponsored by Infrastructure Investments, the award was presented at the annual ProCon Leicestershire event at Leicester City’s King Power stadium. The development previously earned Winvic Construction the silver award for best national site in the Considerate Constructors scheme.

 

For a drone’s eye view of the development, visit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHGERIHNyVw

www.maber.co.uk

The post LARGE STUDENT RESIDENTIAL PROJECT SCOOPS PRIZE appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Pet Safety In Winter: Guest Interview with The Wisconsin Humane Society

Winter is here, and while the snow may look beautiful, it can also be a cause for concern. There is the obvious trouble like ice patches, slippery conditions and dangerous roads, but what about the trouble winter can cause for your pet?

Your furry friends still need to get some fresh air, even when the weather is less than pleasant. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to make sure they are protected this winter.  

We interviewed pet expert Allie Christman, from the Wisconsin Humane Society, to get some great pet safety tips! Because believe it or not, asphalt pavement safety and pet safety have a lot in common!

How does road salt affect dogs?

Rock salt irritates your dog’s paws and can cause chapping or cracking, but it can also be toxic if they ingest too much. If your dog’s paws were exposed on a walk, make sure to wipe down their feet and belly with a damp towel so they aren’t tempted to lick at it. Symptoms of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, unsteady walking, abnormal fluid retention, excessive thirst or urination, or tremors. Left untreated, salt poisoning can even lead to death, so it’s important to contact your vet immediately if you suspect they’re ill. You can learn more about sanding and salting, along with other ways to keep your asphalt protected here.

How can businesses consider the safety of pets as they prepare for winter?

Both homes and businesses can play an active role in animal safety this winter by using a pet friendly ice-melter like Paw Thaw. This product combines all the most effective de-icing components available while remaining biodegradable and non-toxic. It even guards against concrete corrosion and provides added traction control.

Another important consideration: outdoor cats and other animals often gravitate toward the warmth of a recently-used engine during the winter. If you operate machinery or have company vehicles, give the horn a quick honk or two before starting the engine to spook away any animals who might be hiding in a wheel well, under the vehicle, or near the exhaust pipe.

What advice do you have for pet owners near businesses or near parking lots?

We know that salt can be dangerous for dogs in the winter, but it’s also very important to keep your antifreeze stored away and to clean up any spills quickly. It can smell sweet to our pets, but its ethylene glycol can be lethal if ingested by a dog or cat. Some symptoms of ethylene glycol ingestion are: drooling, vomiting, unsteady walking, seizures, or lethargy. If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, see a veterinarian immediately.

Tips to safely walk your pet in the winter

As winter sets in, it’s important to keep your four-legged friends safe and warm. Doggie clothing isn’t just for looks! Dogs with short or thin coats, senior pets, and young puppies could all benefit from a canine coat or sweater. Booties can be a very effective way to protect paws from the cold pavement, ice, or rock salt, and also provide added traction to avoid falls; there are many options available so you may need to experiment with what works best for your pet.

If your dog isn’t used to wearing a coat or booties, it may feel very foreign and cause them to react uncomfortably. The trick is to ease them into it gradually with lots of positive reinforcement along the way. Start by putting the coat or booties on and immediately giving them treats, praise, or their favorite toy, then removing the clothing right away. Repeat the process again a few hours later or even the next day, but leave the item on them a little longer each time until they eventually seem comfortable with it and are freely moving around the house in their new outfit. Now you can take them for their usual walk or romp in the back yard wearing their winter gear, but keep treats on hand in case they start to get uncomfortable again. The more you can associate their new outfit with good things like treats or toys, the more they’ll enjoy wearing it.

If you’ve tried this gradual acclimation without success or if you find yourself in a cold snap without time to train your hesitant pup, you may want to try a product like Paw Guard. You simply rub the non-toxic balm onto each of your dog’s paw pads before going outside and it helps protect from salt, ice, snow, gravel, or even hot pavement in the summer.

With short days and dark nights, it’s important to keep you and your pup highly visible on walks. Whether it’s an LED collar cover, a light-up leash, a reflective jacket, or a carabiner light, there are lots of ways to keep you and your pet safe this winter. Don’t forget to sport your high-visibility items during daytime snow storms, too, as inclement weather can obscure vision just as much as darkness.

Thank you Allie for taking the time to talk to us and give us some great advice!

At Wolf Paving it's important to us that you get the most out of your asphalt pavement, this includes helping keep you and your pets safe when winter brings extra challenges to your driveway or parking lot. Learn more about how you can prepare your asphalt for winter and consider these four things before laying down salt. Be perpared no matter where you go! Take a look at our complete winter survival kit for your car, we hope you never need it but it never hurts to have.  

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.Call Wolf Paving today to request a free estimate. For the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

The post Pet Safety In Winter: Guest Interview with The Wisconsin Humane Society appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

New project wins highlight pressing issues in construction sector

Construction consultancy MPG has been instructed on new projects highlighting two key issues for the sector.

 

Responding to new heat network regulations, Regal Homes has hired MPG to carry out heat network notifications of their residential apartments property in Bedford Row, Holborn, London. Earlier this year, MPG warned that tens of thousands of landlords face unlimited fines because they have yet to get to grips with the legislation: http://www.mpgqs.com/act-now-on-heat-network-rules-to-avoid-fines/

 

Michael Gallucci, Managing Director of MPG, says many individuals and organisations have missed the deadline for notification. “It is pretty clear that people are perplexed by the requirements for metering,” said Mr Gallucci. “I would urge people to seek professional advice.”

 

In another project, MPG has been instructed by an M&E Contractor to resolve a dispute relating to time and final account on a 160-apartment development. The case highlights a growing number of disputes and legal claims in the construction sector.

 

Meanwhile, the consultancy is providing dispute advice to an MEP Contractor involved in works at Bank tube station where Transport for London is building a new southbound running tunnel to carry a diversion of the Northern line together with a new passenger platform and passenger concourse.

 

On the International scene, with the launch of the much more extensive FIDIC Yellow Book this month, MPG has warned contractors that effective programmes are essential to protect their interests: http://www.mpgqs.com/programmes-vital-for-contractors-as-new-fidic-yellow-book-raises-the-bar/

 

“Programmes are absolutely vital when claiming for delays or combating counter-claims,” said Mr Gallucci. “They become yardsticks against which to measure the effects of delays.”

 

In other project wins, MPG has been hired by estate and property management company Principia to manage the refit of a boiler house, including the tendering process, for a 20-apartment residential property.

 

The consultancy joined a team of experts to carry out inspections and prepare a ten-year planned and preventative maintenance report for a 48-flat property in St John’s Wood, London, built in 1970 and comprising three blocks around a central tower.

 

MPG has also been providing commercial assistance to an M&E Contractor working on a complex public realm project in central London, and was recently commissioned to price tender for a new build scheme in Harrow.

 

www.mpgqs.com

The post New project wins highlight pressing issues in construction sector appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Patios North East

Patios North East Installation Using Marshalls Fired Stone

Patios North East Installation using Marshalls Fired Stone with natural stone edging.

A recent project carried out in the North East.  The project involved us laying a new patio area, we used Marshalls fired stone for the paving for its stunning natural looks. To finish off the project we used natural stone edging for those finishing touches.

 

Marshalls Fired Stone Patio Paving

Marshall’s fired stone patio paving comes in four natural shades and various sizes, Fired York, Dusk, Autumn and Sunrise. Furthermore, this paving also comes with a 12 month Marshall’s product guarantee.

Our team are not only in the paving industry we also are trained landscapers. Therefore we can carry out other work to complement your patio paving such as:

• Landscaping services 
• Paving & Driveway Installations
• Garden Walls, Steps, Pathways 
• Tree, Shrub, Planting & Seeding
• Laying natural turf
• Artificial Lawn Installations 
• Decking
• Fencing and much more

No matter how large or small your project is our team can handle it from start to finish. For your information, we are specialists in both hard and soft landscaping, meaning we can carry out both your paving and landscaping projects. For your peace of mind, we are on the Marshalls Register of Accredited Installers which is a national network of recommended professionals that are vetted by Marshall’s assessors. In addition, over recent years we have won awards from Marshall’s for the quality of our workmanship.

Financing your patio

Please ask about our range of finance options for your paving. Finance options include 0% finance and buy now pay later.  All finance quotations are subject to status and a credit check is required. Please ask for further details by calling us on 0800 1601618

Keep informed of other similar projects

Finally, if you would like to keep informed of other similar projects, please join our Facebook page to see our latest work?

 

 

The post Patios North East appeared first on Driveways, Block Paving, Patios, Newcastle, North East | Driveway Company UK.

SD Sealants accelerates growth with Leeds office opening

Following a record year, SD Sealants, the UK’s leading sealant and cosmetic repair company, is expanding its workforce in Leeds with a new office opening this month.

The company, which provides sealant application and cosmetic repairs for homeowners, house builders and commercial businesses, has seen rapid growth in the past few months and has created a total of 50 jobs across the UK in 2017.  

Nick Jones, Managing Director of SD Sealants, comments on the new opening: “We are an ambitious company and want to continue the outstanding year we had in 2016. So far this year, we have had an increase in sales and contracts every month.

“In particular, the North East has been a big growth area and we are hoping to improve on that by expanding our offices in Leeds to help us make 2017 another record-breaking year.”

The office, which opened on the 1^st November, houses 20 staff across cosmetic repairs, sealant and tiling services and SD Sealants are currently recruiting for a number of positions to be based at the new branch.

Nick adds: “By taking on new staff we have increased our capacity and so far, it has been a sound business move. However, we still have vacancies in all areas of the business, and the country, with a range of opportunities for people to take advantage of.”

Launched in 1973, SD Sealants and Cosmetic Repairs originated as a family run business in Somerset that specialised in the supply and application of sealant.

Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the UK’s largest sealant and cosmetic repair companies, with nine offices across England, Scotland and Wales.  It launched a tiling division earlier this year and is the UKs only dedicated online retailer of Sika products.

In addition to expanding its office space, SD Sealants has appointed a new Sales Manager for the Northern and Scotland regions of the business. Tony Dyson has joined the company to aid the expansion process and build on the successes of the cosmetic repairs service seen already this year.

Tony has over 10 years of experience in the sealant business and was previously a sales expert in the tourism industry before coming on board with SD.

He will be working primarily from the expanded Leeds office and will be promoting the business commercially to housebuilders and developers in the Scottish and Northern areas.

Managing Director Nick comments on the appointment: “Building on the success of our sealant services this year, we’re excited to have someone with as much experience as Tony to help maximise the cosmetic repairs side of the business. Our cosmetic repairs division has gone from strength to strength, and we’re looking forward to driving this service forward next year.

“Our repair technicians receive the highest level of training and are incredibly skilled in their field, so it’s never been a better time to start expanding this workforce and developing the business further. We look forward to welcoming new recruits on board in the coming weeks.”

For more information on recruitment opportunities, visit SD Sealants vacancies page.

The post SD Sealants accelerates growth with Leeds office opening appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

WINTER WARNING

Winter is coming, and employers need to watch out for the risks that the cold season with its shorter days brings to construction and utility personnel working and travelling outdoors.

 

Vocational learning specialist Develop Training Ltd (DTL) points out employers have a duty of care to protect their employees, even in the absence of a legal minimum working temperature limit. Failing to do so, if it results in injury, could lead to prosecution. Managers should also realise that employees suffering from cold will be less able to do their jobs and may be more likely to make a hazardous error, DTL says.

 

The scale of the risks can range from reduced dexterity with cold fingers to loss of limbs due to frostbite or even death from hypothermia.

 

The first step to prevention if you are an employer or manager is to carry out a risk assessment to ensure you are not putting people in danger. This should take into account factors such as air temperature, wind chill, clothing, protective equipment such as gloves, rest breaks, respite areas such as heated on-site cabins, and the availability of food and hot drinks.

 

The risks posed by the cold are exacerbated by wind chill and wet weather while shorter, cloudier days often mean reduced visibility, which can be a safety risk in operational areas as well as on the road.

 

If suitable steps are taken to plug any gaps following the assessment, this should avoid any serious problems, but it’s still important that employees and supervisors know what do if they or any of their workmates start to show symptoms of a cold-related condition.

The HSE’s relevant recommendations for modifying the work environment include erecting barriers that shield or insulate the work area and redesigning jobs to remove the employee from the area or restricting the length of time he or she is exposed to cold conditions. You can also look at reducing the amount of work and the rate at which it is expected to be completed for the same reason. Introducing mechanical aids may be an option to help employees who are wearing a lot of clothing. If employees are required to wear uniform, it should be evaluated for thermal comfort.

 

When it comes to monitoring employees, they should be properly supervised and receive appropriate training. You may need to consult an occupational health professional for employees who are pregnant, have an illness or disability, or are on medication

 

On the move

 

With winter comes more wet weather, employees on the move should be properly trained to ensure they drive safely in adverse conditions. Driving in the wet can be deceptively dangerous. Useful tips include:

 

• Decrease your speed and keep your distance from the vehicle in front
• Keep your windscreen clean to combat reduced visibility
• Know how to deal with aquaplaning – ease off the accelerator
• Beware of flooding but if you must drive through, stay in first gear
• In foggy conditions, give your driving 100 per cent attention

 

www.developtraining.co.uk

The post WINTER WARNING appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

OVERCOME AUTOMATION OBSTACLE WITH E-INVOICING SOLUTION

With more and more businesses having taken the first key step towards automation (application generated PDF documents), it’s time to discuss the next time-consuming, labour-intensive and error-prone element to overcome’, writes Matthew Jones at Open ECX.

The easiest and most efficient way to send documents such as invoices and orders is via email as a PDF document. Billing systems create the PDF documents and email them directly to the recipient.

This process is now fairly commonplace but marks a major shift in approach from the old, manual processing to the new; automation. The next stumbling block standing between a business and fully-automated, e-invoicing is how to extract and integrate the data into their finance system.

Those businesses that carry out this task via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) may think that the technology is saving them time and increasing efficiencies, but in truth OCR can be just as labour intensive as manual processing. That’s because OCR engines convert the ‘photograph’ – which sometimes has to be printed and scanned first – into data and a human check is required to rectify any mistakes made.

The mistakes are fairly easy to spot, with the example in the photo above showing how the OCR misread “26.19” as “2b.iy”. However, correcting each and every one of these mistakes uses valuable resources and interrupts the automation process, thereby completely removing all the benefits.

The good news is this problem can be avoided through our unique PDF to e-Invoicing solution.  Data can be taken straight from the PDF and automatically – with 100 per cent accuracy – mapped to an e-document structure, matched and validated against organisational documents of your choice, and delivered direct to your back-office systems (shown below) with minimal to no human intervention required; automation achieved.

As this approach is so simple and non-disruptive to any supply chain, supplier adoption rates are extremely high. In fact, 94% of your suppliers when asked will be able to send a machine generated PDF.

And this means benefits to businesses, including reduced costs, increased visibility, transparency and control and increased ability to pay on time.

For more information click here: http://openecx.co.uk/solutions/einvoicing/

The post OVERCOME AUTOMATION OBSTACLE WITH E-INVOICING SOLUTION appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

One in Five British Homeowners Buy New Property Prior To Selling Their Existing Home

Following a recent increase in searches for unoccupied property insurance through its website, a non-standard insurance specialist has revealed that as many as one in five British homeowners who sold a property within the last year made the decision to find and purchase a new home prior to putting their existing property on the market.

 

The dilemma of whether it’s more advantageous to purchase a new home before putting an existing property on the market is a tough one, particularly if that means buildings are going to be left unoccupied for a substantial period of time before being purchased by a new buyer.

 

As part of a new study, the team at www.CoverBuilder.co.uk polled 2,847 adults aged 25 and over, all of whom had sold an existing property and purchased a new one within the past twelve months. All those taking part were split evenly across each of the UK regions and were questioned on how they went about the process of their most recent house move.

 

All respondents were asked if they put their previous home on the market before or after putting an offer in for the property that they now lived in. The majority (79%) stated that they waited to make any offers on new properties until they’d accepted an offer from a buyer, whilst the remaining 21% revealed that they’d given themselves the chance to search for and have an offer accepted on their ideal next home before putting their previous home on the market.

 

More than two fifths (41%) of participants that had waited to make any offers until they’d sold their property admitted to researchers that they wished they’d done things the other way around, as they felt rushed into selling their home. A further 28% believed that they would’ve been able to make a bigger profit and sell their previous property for a higher sum had they waited to put their home on the market after securing their new home.

 

Of the respondents that purchased a new home before putting their original property on the market, 17% admitted to researchers that they’d needed to leave their previous home empty and unoccupied after moving into their next home, and whilst awaiting a sale to go through. Despite this, just 21% took out an unoccupied insurance policy for this period.

 

Finally, in order to uncover the breakdown of how homeowners go about selling their properties in different areas of the UK, researchers analysed answers to reveal which region is the most likely to buy a new property prior to selling their existing home, with the answers as follows:

 

• London  – 28% (% of respondents from this region that purchased a new property prior to putting their existing home on the market)
• South East – 26%
• South West – 24%
• West Midlands – 23%
• Yorkshire and Humberside – 21%
• Scotland – 21%
• North West  – 20%
• Northern Ireland -18%
• East Midlands -17%
• East of England – 16%
• Wales – 15%
• North East – 14%

Rob Rushton, Head of CoverBuilder.co.uk said:

 

“Whilst there are both benefits and drawbacks to finding a new home prior to selling your existing one, there is no denying that it gives homebuyers the time and freedom to suss out the housing market and take the time to find a property that perfectly fits them and their family.

 

“Here at CoverBuilder, we are certainly seeing a rise in customers wanting to make sure they’ve found their ideal next home before hammering that ‘For Sale’ sign into the front lawn. In fact, as it currently stands, 20% of our total policies have been taken for empty properties that are awaiting sales, with the average customer taking this cover out for a length of four months.”

The post One in Five British Homeowners Buy New Property Prior To Selling Their Existing Home appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Tackling Fire Safety on Your Construction Site

A fire risk assessment is likely to be one of many the site manager must complete and keep on top of. It is a requirement of legislation for the responsible person (employer or persons in charge) to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is complete.

This is something which needs carrying out for any premises which are non-domestic. And when you hire 5 or more members of staff, you must have a written record of this. However, it’s still a good idea if you don’t as it acts as proof that you’re fulfilling your duties.

It is necessary to review the risk assessment regularly to account for any changes which may have occurred. You may find this is something you have to complete as your construction site evolves.

New fire hazards can present themselves as the people plying their trade, and machinery, changes. And as the plans rise up from the ground, it’s possible that evacuation routes and assembly points will have to change.

Keeping on top of this means you’re one step ahead and can help to prevent a fire before the issue arises.

The Risks

A fire needs three elements to burn. Oxygen, heat and fuel.

Removing one or more of those elements stop a fire from starting, and will also mean a fire cannot continue to burn.

The first job of a fire risk assessment is to identify these potential sources of ignition and fuel and reduce their potential to cause harm.

Next, you identify the people who are most at risk if there is a fire, and you really do need to consider everyone. Contractors, visitors, security staff, young people, disabled people, those in nearby premises, and a lot more besides.

You must consider all the people who use your site or could potentially become affected should something go wrong.

Taking Action

Taking into account everything you found, you then evaluate, remove and reduce the fire risk, and have measures in place to protection individuals.

For example, this may involve making changes to the storage of equipment, tools, and materials. But it will also involve putting procedures in place to help keep everyone protected, such as a method of fire detection and warning.

You will need to ensure you have measures in place for raising the alarm, whether that’s using site alarms, a rotary bell or gas horn. And you mustn’t forget to have fire extinguishers installed at designated fire points which can be grabbed quickly to prevent a small fire from escalating quickly. It’s best to have water for general fires, foams for flammable liquids, and CO2 for electricals.

And when hot works are carried out, like welding or soldering, ensure the area is clear of combustible materials and that you have an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby.

Record, Plan, Train and Review

It’s good practice to then record your findings and actions taken. Then, with a plan in place, stating evacuation routes, assembly points, and who call the fire service, it is a good idea to ensure everyone is aware of what they should do in the event of an emergency. This may include how to use the fire extinguishing equipment you will have provided.

Plus, after selecting a few people who can take on fire warden duties, they will also need additional training. They will assist in the event of an emergency and also help you to keep on top of your fire safety responsibilities. After all, the more people you have keeping an eye on fire safety, the better-equipped everyone is to prevent one.

Just remember to make sure your fire risk assessment is kept up to date.

To find out more information about fire risk assessments and fire safety equipment for construction sites, visit www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/site-safety .

 

The post Tackling Fire Safety on Your Construction Site appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

FORUM STRESSES NEED FOR FIRMS TO RESPOND TO APPRENTICESHIP LEVY

Businesses have yet to get to grips with the biggest change to apprenticeships in living memory.

That was the verdict on the Apprenticeship Levy from leading HR and operational professionals in the utilities and construction sector at an Industry Skills Forum, which featured SGN, Siemens, Interserve, Skanska UK, Morrison Utility Services, FCC Environment, Develop Training Ltd (DTL) and Mentor Training Solutions.

The consensus among delegates at the event, co-organised by DTL and Mentor Training Solutions, is that many firms still don’t understand the levy. In some quarters it is widely viewed as a tax, in others managers are simply holding fire on making decisions about setting up apprenticeships given continued uncertainty.

Chris Wood, Chief Executive of DTL, which specialises in the utilities, energy and construction sector, said the forum raised important issues about the need for firms to recognise the implications of the levy and to respond appropriately: “This is a sea change in the world of apprenticeships, and businesses need help to navigate through it. Our role is not only to deliver apprenticeship training but also to advise clients on how to select and train coaches and mentors for their apprentices from among their existing workforce. For many businesses, that will be a crucial limiting factor in how many apprenticeships they can deliver.”

Firms have two years from their initial levy payments, which started in April this year, to draw down funds so many are taking their time before making a decision. However, the way the system is structured means that delay may mean they will be unable to recoup everything they pay into the levy.

Nevertheless, several delegates warned against rushing into setting up apprenticeships, which would typically cost more to operate than would be paid for by the levy. There is also the risk that recruitment standards could be compromised by a race to hire new apprentices.

Instead, firms should look at their business needs – both in recruitment of new apprentices and training of existing personnel – and set up apprenticeships to meet those needs.

Speaking at the event, Simon Yorke, technical adviser at City and Guilds, urged businesses to see the levy as an opportunity. It should be viewed as an investment, he said, and forecast that now that firms have to pay for apprenticeships themselves, they would demand a better return on that investment.

Steven Green, provider engagement manager at Energy and Utilities Independent Assessment Service, said that firms have to work hard to agree new standards for apprenticeships that are replacing existing framework agreements. He encouraged more businesses to get involved in the process.

www.developtraining.co.uk

The post FORUM STRESSES NEED FOR FIRMS TO RESPOND TO APPRENTICESHIP LEVY appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

STRONG, RELIABLE CONCRETE REPAIR…SIKA’S GOT IT CRACKED

With winter almost upon us, the anticipated damp and sub-zero temperatures will provide a severe test of the quality of the concrete used to build structures old and new. Over time, frost and ice will do its best to debilitate a building by finding its way into cracks caused by any one of a number of issues. Excess water in the concrete mix; improper strength of concrete poured on-site; conditions too cold for effective application…these are just some of the reasons fissures, which are susceptible to the freeze/thaw process, resulting in crack-widening and the structural integrity of the concrete being tested.

Fortunately, Sika has a proven, high-performance solution for crack repair in newly-poured and refurbished concrete. Sikadur^®-52, an injection or poured epoxy resin, provides a reliable seal for a wide range of structural or non-structural applications and uses such as joint and hole filling; crack and void sealing. Easy to mix and apply, Sikadur^®-52 is ideal for dry and damp concrete surfaces in horizontal and vertical locations.

Crack repair using Sikadur^®-52 couldn’t be simpler. The crack itself doesn’t need to be cut out or the area widened before filling. Sikadur^®-52, with its low viscosity, permeates into the smallest of cracks to provide a permanent seal. Impermeable to liquids and water vapour, the system hardens without shrinkage – a vital property when repairing cracks.

As well as offering superb abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, Sikadur^®-52 provides excellent adhesion to most construction materials including natural stone, ceramics, fibre cement, mortar, bricks, masonry steel, iron and wood. It is the ideal concrete crack-repair solution for a wide range of infrastructure projects. Slabs, beams and columns found in buildings, bridges and the like are among surfaces ideal for the application of Sikadur^®-52.

The upkeep of our infrastructure is not only vital to maintaining elements such as nationwide road and rail routes; neglecting to treat cracks in concrete structures sooner rather than later can lead to greater damage and costly, time-consuming repairs. This could result in cash-strapped local authorities passing the financial burden of such work onto the community in the form of increased council tax bills.

Prevention is better than cure, as the well-known saying goes, and so it is better to repair concrete when the damage is minimal with a reliable, robust solution such as Sikadur^®-52, before greater problems take ahold.

To ensure areas that have been repaired are protected from future environment conditions, such as freeze thaw, concrete facades, column, soffits etc. are coated with anti-carbonation coatings. Sika offers a range of coating solutions, which include water based crack bridging systems, resin coatings and hydrophobic impregnations. In buildings and infrastructure projects these protective systems are applied as part of the future repair and maintenance strategy.

The post STRONG, RELIABLE CONCRETE REPAIR…SIKA’S GOT IT CRACKED appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MUST OVERCOME THE LATE PAYMENTS PROBLEM

The UK construction industry as a whole tends to cling on to outmoded and inefficient payment practices even when presented with more effective ways of working – a point that is particularly valid when it comes to working capital management and payment processing, writes John Vasili, Director of Business Development at Invapay.

The construction industry has a long-standing problem when it comes to B2B payments. The NSCC & FMB Payment Survey revealed that 40 per cent of businesses are not paid within contracted terms, a third of payments due are late – representing 4.4 per cent of turnover on average – and that subcontractors write off £200 million in late payments and retentions.

Clearly, there’s a need for a more efficient way of processing and making payments – one that will benefit businesses of all shapes and sizes and at all stages in the construction lifecycle, from major contractors right down to specialist subcontractors and general suppliers.

Through our partnership with Open ECX and their WebContractor offer we have developed a combined full-service payment solution, providing construction businesses with a quick and effortless way to manage their payment processes and maximise working capital benefits. The direct and indirect benefits to businesses and their suppliers are multiple.

We find that one of the biggest barriers to the adoption of ePayment processing solutions for many businesses is supplier acceptance – with businesses concerned that the implementation of a revised payment processing approach will have a negative knock-on effect for their suppliers. In our experience, this fear is misguided. Our customers tell us they want to maximise their working capital and to get best use of available credit lines but are concerned about the impact on suppliers.

We solve this issue by simply making payments to the suppliers standard bank account– the supplier doesn’t need to know they are being settled via your working capital or available credit lines; all the while operating in the FCA regulated environment and the assurance that brings.

Our customers benefit considerably and are able to maximise the return on working Capital & to fully utilise any credit lines buyers may have available. They can also make accelerated payments to suppliers, whatever the size, thereby securitising the entire construction supply chain.

Our Open ECX colleagues have also faced concerns over supplier acceptance. Their e-invoicing solution automatically converts and validates PDF invoices received from suppliers, completely removing the need for time-consuming manual entry and eliminating human error.

For suppliers it provides them with the benefit of a reduction in payment delays often caused by traditional processes.

Open ECX has found that supplier adoption is often rapid. One builders’ merchant that stocks more than 13,000 product lines across 13 branches, saw the percentage of e-documents being processed rise from around 25-30 per cent to 60 per cent in a matter of months; this led to huge time and efficiency gains, allowing them to redeploy staff to focus on higher value tasks.

There is absolutely no reason for businesses to continue to operate an outmoded payment approach. There is a tried, tested and regulated alternative delivering major efficiency and cashflow benefits for both sides of the construction supply chain.

And unless we as an industry are willing to adapt, then we are resigned to not achieving the best payment practices, return on working capital and suppliers hindered by late and delayed payments for many years to come.

For more on Invapay’s partnership with Open ECX visit http://openecx.co.uk/maximising-payments-maximising-cash-flow/

The post CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MUST OVERCOME THE LATE PAYMENTS PROBLEM appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

https://t.co/PlZAJBtR1G thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/PlZAJBtR1G thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) November 16, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

November 16, 2017 at 08:52PM

Construction Coloring Book For Kids

Wolf Paving has been serving the local community for more than 75 years, and truly believes in the importance of giving back. What better way to celebrate the season of giving than by combining two things kids love: coloring and trucks!

Get five fun coloring pages with big trucks in our free coloring book!

• Put them out at the kid’s table during your holiday dinner
• Add them to a St. Nick’s stocking
• Use them to keep little hands busy while you get things ready for the holidays
• Bring them along on the long drive to Grandma’s house

Wolf Paving is your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

Request an estimate and get on our list for upcoming projects! Call Wolf Paving today. For the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

 

The post Construction Coloring Book For Kids appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

360 x 360: Autodesk BIM 360’s Data and Collaboration to become immersive through HoloBuilder

HoloBuilder announces partnership with Autodesk’s Connect & Construct Exchange, BIM 360 integration program

SAN FRANCISCO, California – November , 2017 – HoloBuilder Inc., the leading provider of digital construction sites for general contractors and owners, is proud to announce a new partnership with Autodesk, the leader in 3D design, engineering and construction software. The partnership allows customers to seamlessly move between Autodesk’s BIM 360 construction management platform and HoloBuilder’s Construction Solution. This closes the gap between the workflow for 360 reality capturing and virtual walkthroughs as well as document and issue management. The partnership is based on the commitment of both companies to serve professionals in the field and in the office to accelerate delivery, save money and reduce risk. The cross-platform integration is implemented utilizing Autodesk Forge technology. The announcement was made at Autodesk University, the company’s flagship user conference in Las Vegas, which welcomes more than 10,000 Autodesk customers annually.

The integration allows users to add issues to the BIM 360 platform from within their HoloBuilder project. The connection between immersive 360-degree construction documentation and issue management also allows users to virtually walk the construction site and create issues at the same time, without ever needing to leave their desks. Created issues are also linked to their position within HoloBuilder’s documentation so that users can easily find the affected area and understand the context.

HoloBuilder’s integration with BIM 360 eliminates data silos. Users can add documents, like sheets and floor plans, from BIM 360 to the HoloBuilder environment. This ensures that any documents used within HoloBuilder are always up to date. Further functionality which allows customers to link additional information between BIM 360 and HoloBuilder will be released shortly.

“I am excited for this partnership as it allows us to connect and streamline construction project workflows,” Mostafa Akbari, CEO of HoloBuilder. “We have built HoloBuilder from the ground up to save time for our construction customers around the world when capturing reality and sharing this with stakeholders. As we now provide access and a connection to the BIM 360 construction management platform, this eliminates duplicate work and interruptions in the overall workflow, resulting in further efficiency gains.”

“We are thrilled to have HoloBuilder, a leader in 360-degree reality capture, serve as an inaugural member of the Connect & Construct Exchange,” said Sarah Hodges, Director of Autodesk’s Construction Business Line. “HoloBuilder’s seamless integration with Autodesk’s BIM 360 construction management platform is another example of how partnerships like these will make construction safer, simpler, and smarter.”

The post 360 x 360: Autodesk BIM 360’s Data and Collaboration to become immersive through HoloBuilder appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk