Research Indicates Incorrect Home Insurance Could Be Costing Britons £125m A Year

A new analysis of government statistics undertaken by a specialist home insurance provider highlights the fact there could be over three million unoccupied homes in the UK at present, with 1.3m properties without the correct home insurance.

 

As of April 1^st 2016, there were 23,928 properties recorded as vacant and owned by local authorities in England. This number has declined significantly since the turn of the millennium, where local authorities in England recorded owning 87,200 vacant dwellings.

Of the 24,000 empty buildings currently owned by Councils in England, 3,152 are properties within highly desirable London Boroughs, which have been vacant for over six months and are not currently available for letting on the property market.

Figures published in August 2017 by the Resolution Foundation have shown that between the years 2000 and 2014, the number of people with privately-owned, multiple properties in the UK, has risen from 1.6m to 5.2m. The analysis suggested that the majority of these owners were not landlords, with perhaps as many as 3.4m people having an empty property that was not being used to let.

During 2017, the team at specialist home insurance company www.coverbuilder.co.uk, have noticed a large increase in the number of home insurance policies taken out for properties with no occupants and not intended to be sublet.

Rob Rushton, Head of CoverBuilder said:

‘‘In recent months we have seen a significant rise in the number of home insurance policies that require insurance for an unoccupied property. A second home can be acquired for various reasons: through inheritance, people working abroad, properties purchased for holiday homes, or purely used as an investment’’.

Insurance providers will define ‘unoccupied’ as a building that is vacant for over 30 days. Unoccupied properties are at much higher risk of damage, particularly as a result of vandals and thieves.

CoverBuilder surveyed 574 owners of unoccupied properties and were alarmed to find out that only 219 (38%) were protected with insurance that covered unoccupancy.

Damian Downey of CoverBuilder said:

“The number of properties incorrectly insured is concerning. With the statistics that we’ve been analysing, there could be 1.3m empty houses with insufficient home insurance across the United Kingdom. If 12% of UK houses are unoccupied for over 30 days, then in line with current, domestic house insurance claim statistics, £125m is potentially being dismissed due to insufficient insurance each year.

He continued

“As one in ten of the UK adult population is a multi-home owner, I would urge anyone with an unoccupied property to check their policy documents and make sure that they have the correct home insurance cover for their property’’.

For more information on unoccupied house insurance, visit www.coverbuilder.co.uk/unoccupied-property-insurance

The post Research Indicates Incorrect Home Insurance Could Be Costing Britons £125m A Year appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

BENTOSHIELD – THE IDEAL MEMBRANE FOR BELOW GROUND STRUCTURES

Bentonite, a clay substance which is often generated from the alteration of volcanic ash, is renowned for its water absorption. These properties make it a valuable material for a wide range of uses and applications, particularly as a waterproofing material in construction of belowground structures such as basements.

Bentonite’s availability in the marketplace in various product forms is well-known – it’s been around for hundreds of years. However, the appearance of natural sodium bentonite in Sika BentoShield MAX LM, a fully-bonded, needle-punched membrane and integrated polyethylene flexible laminate, represents a unique offering. The polymer-modified product, which is applied to external surfaces of belowground structures exposed to ground water, is the only bentonite system that’s BBA-approved to BS EN 1928:2000 standard relating to flexible sheets for waterproofing.

Superior

The sealing technology of Sika BentoShield MAX LM combines the superior swelling performance of the sodium bentonite with high strength polypropylene geotextiles. The two geotextiles are interlocked by a needle-punching process forcing fibres from the non-woven layer through and beyond the woven layer. This process forms a physical link between the geotextiles and locks the bentonite granules in between, keeping them contained. The system is finished with a polyethylene membrane which is laminated to the back which gives an additional level of protection.

 

Fully Bonded

During installation, the woven geotextile layer bonds to the fresh concrete due to the non-woven layer that is pulled through and beyond from the needle punching process.
When the polymer-enhanced natural sodium bentonite granules get wet they form a dense waterproof gel protecting the structure.

Sika BentoShield MAX LM is designed for use in below ground construction. It differs from other BBA-accredited geosynthetic clay liners as it contains specially formulated polymers to enhance performance in contaminated land with a high salt concentration. As well as basements, it is used in cut-and-cover tunnels, backfilled walls and in a variety of more demanding applications, depending on whether water is to be kept in or out.

The seams for vertical applications of many bentonite membranes are vulnerable to failure. Sika BentoShield MAX LM laps, however, are sealed with a tape to provide a watertight solution as well as protect against debris and water intrusion during backfilling the system. The seams on horizontal sections can be lapped and protected with a bed of paste created by mixing BentoShield granules with water. Alternatively, tape can be used on higher risk sites.

 

Secure

Sika BentoShield MAX LM can also be post-applied to concrete structures where pre-applying is not possible. The membrane is securely held in place with a robust fixing system.

Tested and approved to the latest industry standards, Sika provides a 10-year guarantee or 15 when it is used as part of a dual system from Sika.

Sika also provides, free of charge:

• Full specification and detailing support
• Sika tool box talk training
• Site support and inspection

Easy to install, flexible and robust, Sika BentoShield MAX LM doesn’t require a primer or protection board. Its ability to mechanically bond with the concrete, which in turn virtually eliminates water tracking in the event of damage, makes it the ideal membrane for belowground structures dependent on retaining long-term watertightness.

For more information visit: http://www.sikawaterproofing.co.uk/products-systems/sika-bentoshield-max-lm/

The post BENTOSHIELD – THE IDEAL MEMBRANE FOR BELOW GROUND STRUCTURES appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

https://t.co/P0CLPLB9iM thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/P0CLPLB9iM thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 22, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 22, 2017 at 10:39AM

Q&A With The Asphalt Experts At Wolf Paving

Do you have asphalt questions? We have asphalt answers! We sat down with a few of the experts at Wolf Paving to discuss this past season.

We talked with Tyler Bohachek (Project Manager), Craig Lemke (Project Manager), and Karen Homewood (Estimator) to get the scoop on what sets Wolf Paving apart in this industry.

They talked about everything from ideal paving weather to what it takes to hire a commercial paving company and what kind of projects you should hire that company for.

1. What are the various types of paving services available and with the current market, which are most commonly used?

Tyler & Craig: Wolf is able to build a project from (below) the ground up, offering a wide variety of paving services. We are able to completely rebase, rough grade, fine grade, and pave almost any size project. On top of that we also offer full asphalt removal and replacement services. Most commonly we remove the old asphalt, fine grade, and pave.

Karen: Remove and replace, milling, pulverizing, overlaying- I have had good luck with milling down and overlaying for many of my Property Managers/Customers who don’t have the budget for a complete removal.

2. What types of services / products are new to the industry?

Tyler & Craig: Porous asphalt is one of the newest and most innovative products on the market. The idea behind porous mix is to let water drain through the mat, reducing the need for catch basins and drain tiles. Another advancement being used in the asphalt industry is the use of Geo-grid. This product is a base stabilizing mesh that is able to turn soft base into a hard pavable surface. It works as a sort of underground bridge that holds the new base material together so that underlying unstable soils do not affect the pavement that will be laid on top.

3. Do you need to have a big project in order to hire a commercial paving company?

Tyler & Craig: There is no job too big or too small when considering a commercial paving company. One of the major benefits of hiring a commercial paving company is the quality of work you will receive. With the various types of machines that are used in commercial paving, the project gets done professionally and efficiently to ensure integrity along with sustainability for your investment. Whether you’re trying to pave a driveway at home, or a parking lot, utilizing a commercial paving company will provide you with peace of mind knowing your project is being completed correctly the first time. With a commercial paving company, you will have constant communication from start to finish. You will have transparency with Estimators, Project Managers, along with highly trained Grading and Paving Foreman every step of the way to guarantee you are aware of the various phases in regard to your project. With the reputation that a company receives based on reviews, you will find it comforting knowing that with a commercial paving company, there is a lot of pride that goes into the work. A large-scale project is not needed to hire a commercial paving company. Wolf offers services to almost all size projects. From the smallest driveways to projects such as paving University Avenue in Madison, Wolf is able to handle them with professionalism and timeliness.

Karen: We do driveways, parking lots and roads. The positive about choosing Wolf Paving is that we have our own asphalt plants and control over the mix and designs.

4. With the current draught in Wisconsin, does weather (wet or dry) have any affect on the construction or paving industry?

Tyler & Craig: When considering outdoor contractors, weather always plays a part in the preparation and execution of various scopes of work. Sometimes due to inclement weather you may run into a situation where your project schedule gets pushed around. This can be irritating to most, when considering deadlines and layouts. However, it is important to realize that unforeseen conditions do exist. A reputable company would rather wait for ideal conditions to complete the work awarded so that you are getting the most out of your investment without any setbacks. Weather does play a large role in all of our projects. Paving more so than any other sector of construction is extremely weather dependent. We are somethimes unable to paving wet surfaces, whether they are binder lifts of asphalt or stone, and still provide a quality product. Therefore, any and all projects are heavily weather dependent.

Karen: We need to address this every year with either too much rain or not enough. We consistently address each issue straight on using all our expertise to go above and beyond. So, no weather does not affect us.

5. What is the turnaround time for a commercial paving job in the current marketplace?

Tyler & Craig: When considering the amount of time it takes for a paving project to be completed from the point of signing the sales contract to the final product, a few different factors need to be considered.

• Size of project.
• Time of season when project will be completed.
• Weather conditions.

In the perfect situation, the average project can be completed within a week from contract signing. From getting the underground utilities marked, the targeted area prepped and graded, the asphalt put in place, and allowing proper curing (72 hours) of the finished product. However it is important to understand and remember that size, time, and weather have a critical impact on any project when its in regards to outdoor construction. Turn around for a commercial job is hard to pin down as far as an exact number of days. It all depends on the size and scope of the project as well as the weather as stated above. It is also dependent on the time of year that the project is set out for bid. We cannot pave in the winter so projects that are bid in January won’t get paved until the spring of the year.

Karen: It all depends on the project. If it’s a mill and pave-3 days, if it is a reconstruction, it could take weeks depending on how we need to phase it.

6. What should a commercial property owner look for in a paving contractor?

• Reputation
• Quality of Work
• Quality Mix (Innovation)
• Bonded\Insured
• Competitive pricing
• Local
• Integrity Safety
• Communication
• Leadership
• Efficient
• Whatever it takes attitude.

Tyler & Craig: A property owner should be looking for a good reputation as well as a contractor that is able to control the type of mix that is being laid on their project. Wolf having their own asphalt plants is a huge bonus to each customer because we know exactly what goes into each mix, unlike some of our competitors that simply purchase mix from outside sources. We are able to suggest the best mix for each project and ensure that it is actually being used in that project.

Karen: Years in business, reputation, word of mouth/references, products and service.

Other blogs to look at before choosing an asphalt contractor:

• How To Select An Asphalt Contractor For Your Municipality Project
• What To Look For In A Residential Asphalt Paving Contractor
• 5 Qualities To Look For In An Asphalt Paving Contractor

If you have any questions about the benefits of asphalt paving or are interested in a free paving estimate, please contact us today!

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs. Wolf Paving offers professional paving services from Milwaukee to Madison, and everywhere in between, including all areas around: Sun Prairie, Oconomowoc and Waukesha.

The post Q&A With The Asphalt Experts At Wolf Paving appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ALONE WON’T SOLVE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S PAYMENTS PROBLEMS

The Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group is calling on the Government to solve the UK construction industry’s long-standing and crippling payments problem, labelling the current cashflow position as “critical”.

In a recent article, the SEC Group – which represents SMEs in the construction engineering sector – warns that its members are increasingly being propped up by their directors’ wallets as an interim cashflow ‘solution’.

They cite Funding Options figures that show directors lent their construction businesses £38 million in 2015/2016, up from £29.7 million in 2013/2014 – a jump of 28 per cent in just two years.

Unsurprisingly, the SEC Group labels this rise as “unsustainable” and has urged the Government to introduce legislation to solve the problem.

We agree wholeheartedly with the SEC Group – the cashflow issue has affected growth of construction businesses of all shapes and sizes for too long and needs to be addressed urgently.

However, we feel that while the Government has a role to play in improving B2B payments in the industry, businesses themselves can do much more to take greater control of their finances.

We’ve partnered with Invapay, an Optal company, to make this easily achievable. Our unique proposition – a combined full-service payment solution – provides construction businesses with a quick and effortless way to manage their payment process and maximise working capital benefits.

With Open ECX and Invapay, businesses are able to make their payment processes simple, streamlined and effortless from the moment a payment application is made right through to the point that it is paid.

Our cloud-based paper-free WebContractor solution manages the first half of the process, giving subcontractors and suppliers the ability to submit invoices quickly and easily through an online portal. The automated service then processes the application, sending verification notices emails to the applicant and the QS, allowing invoicing authorisation to be granted hassle-free.

At this stage Invapay’s payment solution comes into play. With no changes to processes and systems, Invapay’s business-tobusiness payment platform allows businesses to optimise their payments to suppliers and subcontractors.

Through Invapay, businesses can take greater control of their cash flow – across working capital, credit lines and third party funds – ensuring long term cash flow benefits for buyers and subcontractors.

For more information and to download a free payments guide visit: http://openecx.co.uk/maximising-payments-maximising-cash-flow/

The post GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ALONE WON’T SOLVE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S PAYMENTS PROBLEMS appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

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

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

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 20, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 20, 2017 at 09:39AM

Going Digital for the Digital Enterprise

As engineering firms move toward developing a digital strategy, a new phrase – going digital– will resonate with engineering, architectural, and construction professionals, as well as infrastructure asset owners, is now part of the infrastructure lexicon. Going digital refers to the business transformation being realized as infrastructure professionals take advantage of a connected data environment by leveraging a cloud computing platform that digitally connects and converges people, processes, data, and technology to yield significant benefits.

 

In its broadest sense, going digital means moving data that used to be locked in application-specific files or even paper documents, and making the data inherent in these files and documents available to be consumed and analyzed by other software and processes. Through going digital, 3D digital engineering models created during the planning and design phase can provide the interactive 3D environment for operations and infrastructure asset performance modeling, leveraging cloud computing, predictive analytics, and operational data from the Industrial Internet of Things and other sources. These models can now be referenced throughout the full lifecycle of an infrastructure asset, improving performance, safety, and sustainability.

But what about an infrastructure asset that does not have a digital engineering model? Reality modeling, an exciting technology that involves the process of capturing existing facilities and site conditions with the use of digital photographs and/or point-cloud data – enables the rapid creation of 3D, engineering-ready mesh representations of the existing, as-operated conditions. The process is simple: overlapping photographs taken with a camera either handheld or mounted on a UAV are uploaded to a cloud processing service that automatically reconstructs the 3D model for use in engineering applications. Further detail and accuracy can be added to the model through close range photos or point-cloud data from laser scanners.

 

In the past two years, reality modeling has gone from being a specialty service to a mainstream process by engineering and construction firms, and by owner-operators of infrastructure assets. The speed and ease of reality modeling now makes it possible to do nearly continuous surveying to monitor construction progress and as-operated conditions. And, the resulting 3D model components can be classified and hyperlinked to engineering models, documents, and specifications (the ET or engineering technology), historical operations data, (the IT or information technology), and real-time IoT sensors (the OT or operations technology). By going digital, the digital engineering model, whether built from scratch through design and engineering application software, or created from existing conditions through reality modeling, can deliver new value as an immersive environment to access open and live information for visual operations of infrastructure assets—bridging ET, IT, and OT—and with that visibility comes the empowerment to improve asset performance.

 

Making the Digital Enterprise Real

A going digital strategy begins with information technology and seeks convergence with operational technology. As such, realizing the digital enterprise would involve adding engineering technology to complete the convergence. While going digital means different things for different enterprises, in our industry, users of infrastructure engineering can take advantage of new form factors for connecting and computing in their pursuit of it. For many of our large users, the strategy is an opportunity to improve their business model for better asset performance and capital project cost reduction.

An effective digital strategy can realize benefits through all phases of the infrastructure lifecycle. In the CAPEX phase, a digital workflow can take advantage of better decision making with immersive design and collaboration in construction. For OPEX, the value of digital engineering information provides performance improvement opportunities for owner-operators seeking to maximize their assets. The core value is reducing TOTEX (total expenditure) as owners seek to manage and mitigate the risk associated with large capital projects and the ongoing maintenance over time. Owners require information from all phases of the project lifecycle to be useful in the asset management or maintenance management systems when the asset reaches handover, which is fully realized through a digital strategy.

 

For engineers, going digital can mean new business opportunities, such as conceptioneering, the process of quickly creating multiple iterations of a conceptual infrastructure design model with engineering content, at the beginning of a project, to constructioneering, the process of bringing engineering data directly to the field to drive construction workflows and equipment, during construction and into operations. It can also mean inspectioneering, which is the process of bringing as-operated and continuously surveyed, engineering reality meshes into digital engineering environments, enabling engineers to inspect and evaluate infrastructure assets from any location. And, lastly, to productioneering, which is the process of leveraging the digital engineering model, with live and open connections to IT and OT data, and predictive analytics, as an immersive environment for visual operations, decision support, and performance improvement. These are all examples of going digital, and Bentley is providing the solutions for our users to get there.

The post Going Digital for the Digital Enterprise appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

https://t.co/nRTq5Qgj6e thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/nRTq5Qgj6e thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 18, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 18, 2017 at 10:25AM

How To Get a CSCS Card

If you are working in construction in the UK, you have properly heard about the CSCS card. But what is it exactly?

CSCS stand for Construction Skills Certification Scheme, and the whole thing was invented about 25 years ago. It is a card that provide proof that an individual has the required training and qualifications to carry out work on a construction site.

What does it cost?

Before you can apply for the CSCS card you must be certified. That normally requires that you take a CITB Health Safety and Environment Test. Such a test cost £19.50 to take.

Once you have passed that test, you can apply for the CSCS card, which will cost you £30.

But be aware! There have been examples of companies overcharging the prices for the tests. These mentioned fees are the standard, so if you’re being charged more than that, you should make sure that you understand what additional services you will receive. To know more about booking the appropriate test, read more about that below.

Booking the test

At first glance, the whole system can appear a bit complicated with loads of different coloured cards showing people’s qualifications in different areas of construction skills. The number of colours has recently been reduced, but to make it more complicated, one colour card can cover many things. However, things have been made easier now through cscs.uk. On the site you’re able to use their online card-finder to figure out what kind of test and CSCS card you need, based on your occupation.

You’re also able to call them and have people at the other end of the line asking you the questions and be able to advise which card an applicant you should be applying for. That makes the whole decision-making process easy. Once that bit is over, you will be given a date on which you can take an online test in a center.

How is the test?

Okay. So you booked the test and everything is set, but how will the test be, you might wonder? The test is a multichoice based test with 50 questions that you have 45 minutes to answer. The questions can be case study or knowledge questions, but the difficulty of the test depends on the type. For entry-level construction workers such as labourers or apprentices, the questions and answers are pretty simple. Moving to the other end of it though, for people like contract managers, their test is actually very demanding as their card is equivalent to an NVQ 7.

Once you book the test, it will take place at a CITB-approved test centre where you can use a computer to take the test online. Make sure to be there 15 minutes before your test begin.

How can you prepare for the test?

There is different ways that you can prepare for the test. You could buy a book with information that can help you prepare for the specific grade of card you’re going to apply for. There are different books out there, which will give you loads of questions and answers that would appear in the test. A good thing is to buy the latest addition though because the different tests keeps getting updated. And then keep reading the book from cover to cover until you are able to pass the test. You will need to score 47 out of 50 questions correct in order to pass.

Another thing you can do, is to go online and use some of the free tests of there. You can find a bunch of tests here.

Is a CSCS card a legal requirement?

No, it is not a legal requirement. It is up to the different contractors if they require workers on their site to hold CSCS cards. But the law in the UK states that anyone undertaking construction work need to be competent. And a way of showing that, is by having a CSCS card as a proof of that. Another things is that if you’re working in an unsafe manner because you don’t know better, the site manager will get fined or imprisoned. That eventually lead to you getting fired.

How long does it take to get a CSCS card?

It doesn’t take long to get a CSCS card. Once you have paid for the CSCS card, it will be posted to you the next working day. You will just have to wait then, and normally you can expect the card to be there in around 10 days. Be aware that if your card has not been delivered within five weeks of your application, you should contact CSCS. After 90 days your application will be considered closed, and you will then need to pay an additional payment of £30 to reprocess an application.

How long can you keep your CSCS card?

It depends on the type of CSCS card that you are applying for. But in general most of the cards can last five years. Once you have your card, you can read the expiry date on it.

If you need to renew your card, you will have to prove once again that you have the appropriate training and qualification that your job need. That means you will need to retake the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.

Conclusion

By preparing for the test, you will get a better chance of passing it. The CSCS card is good to have, and something most employers will require that you have (at least in the UK). Therefore, if you are in construction and know what kind of card you need, start preparing today and take the exam to get your CSCS card.

Prepare by taking our quiz and other quizzes online or buy a book that can help improve your knowledge, and make sure that you pass the final test. We wish you the best of luck.

The post How To Get a CSCS Card appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

https://t.co/QJFMDlDl4m thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/QJFMDlDl4m thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 14, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 14, 2017 at 10:08AM

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

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

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 14, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 14, 2017 at 09:53AM

Considerate Constructors Scheme reaches major 100,000 milestone

Considerate Constructors Scheme reaches major 100,000 milestone

 

• Mulalley celebrates as Network Homes’ housebuilding project is named as 100,000^th Scheme-registered site
• Government praises Scheme’s invaluable role in improving the image of construction

The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national Scheme to improve the image of the construction industry – has reached a major milestone in UK construction history by registering its 100,000^th site.

The Infrastructure and Project Authority’s Head of Construction, Dr David Hancock, welcomed this achievement and the Scheme’s role in helping to improve the image of the industry.

 

The site registration was made by one of the leading UK’s contractors – Mulalley – for the Chauncey Residential Development in Ware, Hertfordshire.

 

Mulalley are working with housing association Network Homes – a Client Partner of the Considerate Constructors Scheme – to deliver this £8.6m project of 18 semi-detached houses and 29 apartments, with associated car parking and amenity space, delivering much needed affordable homes in Ware.

 

In addition to this site being the Scheme’s 100,000^th registration, it has also been recognised as an Ultra Site – the highest level of attainment with the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

 

Registering its first site in 1997, the Scheme has firmly established itself as the major force for good in helping to improve the image of the construction industry – for the benefit of the community, workforce and environment.

 

It is highly regarded throughout the UK construction industry as the ‘go to’ organisation to support construction sites, companies, suppliers and clients in raising their standards and best practice above and beyond statutory requirements.

 

One of the very few organisations to monitor the industry’s progress and share best practice on the ground, the Scheme undertakes around 14,000 visits to sites, companies and suppliers per year.

 

Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “We are delighted to celebrate the registration of the Scheme’s 100,000^th site with Mulalley, who have been registering sites for nearly 20 years and are a founding Scheme Partner. This is a truly momentous milestone for the Considerate Constructors Scheme and the industry, and is made even more special with this being the 20^th year of the Scheme.

 

“It is with huge thanks to the continuous hard work, commitment and dedication from an increasingly growing proportion of the UK, and more recently the Irish construction industry, that the Scheme has gone from strength to strength since it registered its first site in 1997. At the very centre of this success has been true collaboration across our industry.

 

“As a Scheme, we continue to grow and engage with an ever-increasing number of contractors, suppliers, companies, clients and other construction industry-related organisations to continue to promote the benefits to the industry in looking after our workforce, site neighbours and the environment.

 

“Whilst it is important that we celebrate this phenomenal achievement, it is also important to remember that much more still needs to be done to continue to improve the image of our sector and to encourage the industry to continually raise its standards and share best practice throughout the supply chain. It is only through an ever-improving image that our industry can continue to attract the very best to work in our fantastic sector.

 

“As one of the few people who have been involved with the Scheme from its earliest days, I am incredibly proud of what the Scheme has achieved. I am also hugely grateful to the construction industry for the way in which it has embraced the concept of considerate construction, and how it continues to challenge itself to attain even higher standards.”

 

Considerate Constructors Scheme Executive Chairman Isabel Martinson commented: “This is a huge achievement for the industry. By reaching such a significant milestone, the Scheme is clearly demonstrating its ongoing importance in driving higher standards to improve the image and reputation of construction.”

 

Mulalley Director Vince O’Malley said: “Mulalley are extremely pleased for our Chauncy Residential Development project to be the Scheme’s 100,000^th registered site. As a Founder Partner of the Scheme, this is a significant milestone and testament to the Scheme’s commitment to improving the construction industry’s image and creating a legacy of continued improvement.”

 

Network Homes’ Executive Director of Development Vicky Savage added: “It’s really important that we provide high quality affordable homes for the communities we work in. This is a positive statement to local people, letting them know we take construction standards seriously. We look forward to continuing our work with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and providing fantastic new homes with Mulalley at the Chauncy Residential Development.”

 

The Infrastructure and Project Authority’s Head of Construction, Dr David Hancock added his congratulations to the Considerate Constructors Scheme in reaching this milestone: “It was a pleasure to present at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s National Site Awards earlier in the year, and it is great to hear that the 100,000^th site has registered with the Scheme.  It reflects well on the efforts that have been made by the industry.  We are seeing much cleaner and tidier sites, efforts being made to minimise noise and having safety systems in place.  This has had a positive effect on the environment and surrounding communities, and also on working conditions.  We are seeing constructors providing a more supportive and caring environment for their workforce.

 

“This is great progress and I hope it will continue and help attract more people into the industry at a time when we are seeing much change and challenge around how the industry operates.”

 

Click here for further information about Site Registration.

Click here for more information about Ultra Sites.

The post Considerate Constructors Scheme reaches major 100,000 milestone appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Rebuilding the UK’s infrastructure at Civils Expo 2017

Civils Expo, the UK’s leading event dedicated to civil engineering and infrastructure, will once again bring together leading suppliers of the latest technologies, systems and products for the sector when it returns to Birmingham NEC from 10-12 October 2017.

 

Exhibitors already signed up to launch new products, showcase software and provide technical advice include HS2, CEMEX, Breedon Group, Creagh Concrete and Bluebeam. Leading figures from across the industry will also attend the show, such as Crossrail, Heathrow, BAM Nuttall, Kier, Transport for the North and Highways England, where they will debate the industry’s most pressing topics and discuss the challenges and opportunities currently facing the sector.

 

The seminar programme for Civils Expo has been designed to inform and educate visitors about the planning and implementation of significant projects, as well as introduce them to suppliers so they can learn about new products, gain skills and make long-lasting contacts. One of the show’s biggest attractions will be The Infrastructure Hub, which will explore the process of planning, designing and building a variety of projects from road infrastructure and rail infrastructure through to airports and seaports. Topics such as future proofing infrastructure and construction, sustainability in business, drones, offshore wind turbines and connecting Britain to the world post-Brexit will be discussed at the show, while projects that are having an important impact on the sector such as Crossrail, Ordsall Chord and Hinkley Point will be explored by those leading them in front of a live audience.

To tackle the issue of building safety head on, Civils Expo will also bring together leading authorities to deliver free CPD advice and guidance on key issues such as fire prevention and safety in buildings; guidance on sprinklers, fire doors and dampening; health and safety and how to improve safety through technology, as well as the latest advice on cladding and other flammable building materials. These free CPD and workshop sessions will be hosted at The Infrastructure Hub and have been specially tailored for those responsible for building safety. The sessions are expected to book up quickly, so registration is encouraged.

 

Nathan Garnett, Event Director at Media 10, which runs the show, said: “This year’s Civils Expo will bring together the UK’s largest and most important infrastructure projects with the latest products and innovations being used to build them. Our programme is evolving with more speakers, exhibitors and suppliers signing up every day, and we’re committed to making this our most successful show to date. In addition to showcasing new products for the sector, we will also tackle the issues surrounding building safety head on with a carefully chosen schedule of talks, workshops and events.”

 

Consisting of Build Show, sponsored by Easy-Trim, Civils Expo, Plant & Machinery Live, Energy 2017, Smart Buildings 2017, Surface & Materials Show, HVAC 2017 and Grand Designs Live, UK Construction Week caters for the entire spectrum of the industry from builders, architects, innovators and consultants, each show provides exhibitors with the opportunity to network alongside decision makers and purchasers while showcasing their services and products to thousands of visitors.  For more information and free registration visit www.ukconstructionweek.com.

The post Rebuilding the UK’s infrastructure at Civils Expo 2017 appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

https://t.co/1eUrfsNyc4 thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/1eUrfsNyc4 thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 8, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 08, 2017 at 01:13PM

https://t.co/xcMBv1iK9M thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/xcMBv1iK9M thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 8, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 08, 2017 at 10:28AM

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

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

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 8, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 08, 2017 at 09:18AM

£300m dualling on A47 set for Spring 2020 start

4 tips for a clean construction site

Health and safety on a construction site is most closely associated with the use of heavy equipment and hazardous materials.

But each year in the UK, there are 1000 slips or trips on worksites that cause fractured bones and dislocated joints.

And many of these accidents are caused by a messy and disorganised work environment.

So here are four tips for a clean construction site that keeps your staff safe.

Safe storage

Clients, contractors and suppliers should all be clear about where certain types of materials and equipment are stored onsite and any materials that are flammable or hazardous should be separated and labelled clearly.

Large pieces of valuable kit can be kept safely overnight in vandal-safe storage containers but secure portable cases for smaller tools are also useful.

And if you store materials and equipment that only certain workers are qualified to work with, then it might be wise to only provide keys for these zones to qualified staff.

Once you’ve decided where various materials and equipment should be stored, be sure to leave pathways for workers to travel safely on foot.

Waste management

There are stringent guidelines regarding the collection and disposal of hazardous waste materials.

But even more commonplace waste like rubbish and rubble can cause serious accidents if it’s allowed to pile up.

Rubbish chutes offer a solution to this problem — waste is collected by workers and slid down smoothly into skips positioned below.

All onsite workers should be responsible for clearing their own work areas throughout the day and a rubbish rota can be used so there’s a shared responsibility for cleaning general areas.

Clear floor spaces

Trailing cables and abandoned equipment can present risks from falls.

But workers’ dirty boots can also drag mud and hazardous materials from one area of your site to another, resulting in risky cross-contamination.

So plastic shoe covers should be worn in certain areas, while floor mats should suffice for keeping shared canteens and restrooms clean.

And don’t forget the basics — buy sufficient stocks of brushes, brooms and dustpans that can remain in arm’s reach in every area.

Dust control

Construction dust is another substance subject to regulatory control in the UK — it can cause serious diseases like asthma and cancer.

And many tasks carried out onsite create dust, so it’s essential that workers are provided with protective equipment like masks and suits.

But a specialist dustguard machine can be used for dust control and washing equipment on larger sites.

As with any construction housekeeping task, keeping dust at bay relies on team members working together to ensure it doesn’t build up until it’s unmanageable.

The success of a construction project isn’t just based on the quality of the finished building — it relies on a safe and efficient site that’s kept in good shape throughout.

These four tips for a clean construction site should ensure your project runs smoothly from start to finish.

Do you have other tips for keeping construction site clean? Share your advice in the comments section.

The post 4 tips for a clean construction site appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

https://t.co/a8M2PFRu19 thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/a8M2PFRu19 thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 7, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 07, 2017 at 11:05AM

Fall Asphalt Maintenance Checklist

Asphalt pavement can provide many years of service and durability if it is properly maintained. A quick check up now could prevent expensive maintenance later, so stay on top of your asphalt driveway or parking lot with help from our Fall Maintenance Checklist.

This resource will help you recognize areas of your asphalt pavement that may need maintenance down the road.

As part of your asphalt maintenance plan, it is important to take an assessment of your driveway or parking lot and surrounding areas at least once per season.

To protect your asphalt pavement, did you know that each season you should complete the following: 

• Asphalt surface inspection
• Water pooling evaluation
• Seasonal aesthetics evaluation
• General upkeep and repair

Proper maintenance on your pavement will help extend the life of your asphalt and improve the curb appeal of your property.

Download a free copy of our Autumn Maintenance Checklist to evaluate your asphalt surface.

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free quote;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 Fall Asphalt Maintenance Checklist appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

Asphalt 101: Essential Facts to Know About Use, Protection & Maintenance

Whether you are looking for a contractor for your paving project, or just looking for some advice on asphalt repair or asphalt maintenance, we got you covered. Asphalt 101 is your one stop shop for information on everything from qualities to look for in a contractor to preventative steps that will help you maintain your asphalt pavement. 

This guide offers advice for all different types of asphalt pavements. We want to help you protect and maintain your asphalt with knowledge we've gained from being in business for more than 75 years.

In our Asphalt 101 eBook, we outline all of the important facts you need to know, whether you are a residential, commercial or municipal client.

• Why choose asphalt?
• How do you increase the lifespan of asphalt?
• What is preventative maintenance?
• Why kind of care does asphalt need?

These questions and more will be answered in our eBook below. Just click and download now!

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 quote 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 Asphalt 101: Essential Facts to Know About Use, Protection & Maintenance appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

Paving Contractors

Paving Contractors for residential households and commercial premises.

The Driveway Company are paving contractors based in the North East of England. For your peace of mind we are Marshall’s Accredited Paving Installers. The accredited installers are a network of independent installers not employed by Marshalls, but who are strictly vetted and accessed by them for both competence and performance. In turn assuring our customers that they are in the right hands when it comes to their projects.

One of our recent paving projects

We carried out the project below for a residential property in Cleadon. For the paving we used Marshalls Riven Herena in Autumn Bronze with Ebony Edgings to finish off the overall look. You can see the quality of the workmanship from the photos below.

 

Marshalls products offer customers a quality product which is has durability. With such a wide range of textures, colours and products to choose from you cannot go wrong. As paving contractors we are Regional Award Winners for Marshalls once more assuring you that we offer quality workmanship.

Paving & Driveways Guarantees

Our guarantees offer you further peace of mind, each piece of work we carry out for driveways or patios received a 5-year installation guarantee. All our Marshall’s Paving products come with an additional 10-year product guarantee.

Make your purchase easier with our finance packages

Why not make your purchases easier with our range of finance packages to suit your own individual requirements? Either opt for 0% or buy now pay later see our different packages available below.

0% Finance

A deposit is required and the remaining balance is payable in 12 equal monthly payments. Please ask for details or a quotation

Or

Buy now pay later

Ask for details or a quotation

All finance quotations are subject to status and a credit check is required

Keep informed of all our latest projects, offers and promotions

Finally if you would like to keep informed of our latest projects, offers and promotions, please join our Facebook Page 

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

Time nearly up for skills cards for fringe trades

https://t.co/HotIBSsN74 thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/HotIBSsN74 thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 4, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 04, 2017 at 06:35PM

https://t.co/oNOIh6ym4k thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor

https://t.co/oNOIh6ym4k thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor

— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) September 4, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

September 04, 2017 at 11:17AM

Contractors named and shamed over minimum wage

Google gets green light for £1bn King’s Cross HQ