Modular: 21st century construction, 19th century technology?

Martin wadsworth, managing director of Discrete Heat, discusses what’s really happening in the modular construction market and how it’s impacting on building product manufacturers. When you think of modular construction, what do you imagine? A sleek production line, populated with... View Article

Small sites will help solve the housing crisis

Through its geovation accelerator programme, which awards grants to help Ordnance Survey and HM Land Treasury make better use of their data, the Government has announced funding for 7 property and geospatial start-ups. This includes RenKap, an online marketplace working... View Article

Housing a pawn in Tory Brexit leadership scrap

Former Housing Minister Dominic Raab has called for “radical” housing reforms in an attempt to help renters get on the housing ladder and increase the rate of home building. Attacking the Conservative failure to stand up to developers and ensure... View Article

The Brexit conundrum for construction

It’s not been clear for months what is happening regarding Brexit and its potential effects upon the UK construction industry. Here, Rick Smith, Managing Director of Forbes Burton, a Midlands-based company rescue and insolvency specialist, explains what the effects are... View Article

Five reasons to invest in boiler cover

Boiler insurance is gaining traction – and popularity – among homeowners in recent years. The reason behind this growth in popularity is the increasingly appealing boiler cover plans from companies like Certi. While it may not have made much sense... View Article

Is the housing crisis returning as a Government priority?

Addressing the policy conference of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), Housing Secretary James Brokenshire set out what the Government is doing to tackle the housing shortage and improve the quality of new homes. Brokenshire emphasised: the need to reduce planning... View Article

A complete guide to using props in construction

Props are a vertical support system. Before they were invented, construction professionals had to rely on timber supports and scaffolding to ensure walls didn’t collapse. Unfortunately, safety issues were rife. Timber is strong, but it is weakened by water and... View Article

Shakespeare Martineau comments on MIPIM 2019

Simon Stanion, head of planning at Shakespeare Martineau, reflects on the key themes for planners from MIPIM 2019.   “The atmosphere in the Midlands Pavilion has been particularly upbeat throughout, with many exciting development portfolios marking significant investment opportunities across the... View Article

Spring Statement comment from BRE

Gwyn Roberts, New Homes and Communities Lead at BRE said: “BRE welcomes the Chancellor’s proposal for a Future Homes Standard. We fully support the need for future-proofed new homes but don’t think we should wait until 2025 for them. “We... View Article

International Women’s Day | Modular developer commentary

Comment from Helen Charlesworth, Head of HR at ilke Homes: “As one of the UK’s leading modular housebuilders, ilke Homes is committed to championing diversity and addressing the skills shortage within the construction industry. As an emerging sector, modular housebuilding... View Article

The need for more flexible working in construction

Editor of Housebuilder & Developer, James Parker explores whether the construction industry is flexible enough to attract female applicants. Flexible working – all responsible employers talk about it being a good thing, but how many are allowing it to happen... View Article

Install sprinklers now, says London Fire Brigade and Johnson Controls

Following the news that the London Fire Brigade has called for all purpose-built residential blocks to have sprinklers installed, Simon Rooks, operations director at Johnson Controls and council member of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BASFSA), comments on how the government and building... View Article