Professional Builder

In this month’s episode of the Professional Builder Podcast, we’re continuing our series on energy efficiency and the Future Homes Standard. This time we’re talking to Dr. Richard Jack, Technical Director at Build Test Solutions. Listen on to find out how measured energy performance can help tradespeople improve the UK’s housing stock and save big on homeowner energy bills.

As an important part of British construction and British culture in general, it seems odd that there’s not really been much in the way of events celebrating bricklaying. It’s a trade that requires a lot of skill (and a very long time) to master. Three bricklayers that clearly thought the same are Ashley Francis, Joe Short and Jack Dawson, the founders of Super Trowel. Now in its second year, the competition and exhibition, that looks to find the country’s best bricklayer, is back and bigger than before with the final taking place on August 8th in the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. Contestants will be judged on speed and precision as they tackle a 9-metre-long wall. There’s an eye watering first place prize totalling over £15,000 up for grabs. Take a listen as we chat to Ash, Joe and Jack about Super Trowel and all things bricklaying. Make sure you grab your tickets while you still can and may the best bricklayer win!

In this instalment of the Professional Builder podcast we talk to Band of Builders CEO, Gavin Crane about the vital financial, practical and wellbeing support that the charity is providing to the UK construction industry.Band of Builders | National Charity for Tradespeople – Band of Builders LtdIn our sponsored content, Sian Holland, Key Account Manager at Bosch Professional Accessories provides some insight into the many features and benefits of the carbide technology in the manufacturer’s drill bits and blades.Bosch power tools | Bosch Professional (bosch-professional.com)

In the latest episode of the Professional Builder podcast we report from the Trades United van rally in Parliament Square and talk to some of its organisers and participants. With tool theft reaching what has been described as epidemic proportions, a group of tradespeople recently decided to take a stand. The van rally saw builders, plumbers and electricians from across the country come together to throw a spotlight on the issue and urge the government to do more. For more information visit ‘STOP TOOL THEFT’ Westminster Rally - Professional Builder (probuildermag.co.uk)

In this month’s edition of the Professional Builder podcast we talk to two commendable organisations who are each championing the wellbeing of construction workers.Falls from height remains the biggest cause of fatalities in construction. The Ladder Association’s avowed ambition is for everyone who climbs a ladder to come back down safely and represents an invaluable source of training, information and guidance on the issue. We talk to Executive Director, Peter Bennett, OBE, about what the not-for-profit industry body is doing to promote the safe use of portable ladders.  To view some of the resources the Ladder Association makes available visit Home - The Ladder AssociationThe Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is on a mission to ensure that no construction worker – or their family – is alone in a crisis. Sarah Bolton, the new CEO of the organisation, explains what this worthy cause is already doing to support the trades – and its plans for the future. The charity offers a whole range of resources to support the sector and you can visit www.lighthouseclub.org

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest topics in the UK construction industry. The cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices, the upcoming Future Homes Standard and government Net Zero aspirations are all contributing.In the last episode we spoke to Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Laboratories at the University of Salford about the Energy House 2.0 project. This initiative has been measuring the energy efficiency of two detached houses built inside an environmentally controlled chamber. In this episode we’re speaking to Tom Cox, Construction Solutions Director at Saint-Gobain, who, along with Barratt Developments, are responsible for one of these houses – the eHome2. Tom tells us all about the exciting construction solutions, like weberwall brick, used in eHome2 and how they demonstrate that the Future Homes Standard is achievable. For more information on Saint Gobain Weber visit: WEBER | Saint-GobainBosch Professional AccessoriesIn addition, Paul Stevenson, Key Account Director at Bosch Professional Accessories talks us through the features and benefits of the company’s X-Lock. Described as the ultimate changing system for angle grinders, it allows safe and tool-free disc changing in seconds.For further information on the Bosch Professional Accessories X-Lock system visit: X-LOCK. The ultimate changing system for angle grinders. | Bosch Professional (bosch-professional.com)

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest topics in the UK Construction Industry at the moment. The cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices, upcoming Future Homes Standard and government Net Zero aspirations are all contributing to this. Professional Builder’s Edward Kelly interviews Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Laboratories at the University of Salford. This department is responsible for Energy House 2.0 - a massive building with two environmental chambers inside, each able to accommodate two detached houses and under temperature-controlled conditions. Professor Swan tells us what this project has taught us about energy efficiency in UK homes and whether the Future Homes Standard is actually achievable.

The Federation of Master Builders is the construction sector’s largest trade association and is run by its members for its members. Its strategic direction is, however, determined by the Board of Directors, the chair of which is the National President. Elected for a period of two years the current incumbent is Chris Carr. In post since November of last year, we asked the MD and founder of Cleethorpes-based housebuilder, Carr & Carr what his priorities will be for his term of office?

It’s estimated that just 5-6% of tradespeople in the UK are women. When gardeners and landscapers are removed from the equation, this figure could be as low as 2%. While this figure is on the rise, the UK Construction Industry is still in the midst of a skills shortage, with an ageing workforce and a demand for tradespeople far outweighing supply.With all of that in mind, Professional Builder’s Edward Kelly speaks to Mica May, Head of Development at Stopcocks, the national franchise of women plumbers, to get the story behind the organisation and find out how it is supporting tradeswomen across the country. 

There has been concerns raised amongst builders’ merchants – and the SME tradespeople who are their customers – that the recent Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion will make Greater London a significantly more difficult area in which to operate. As a result of the zone’s boundary changes there is a £12.50 daily charge on non-compliant vehicles across all London boroughs. This means that anyone using a diesel van registered before September 2016, or petrol van registered before January 2006, is now charged to travel almost anywhere within the M25.   There is a significant proportion of small business owners in the sector who rely on non-compliant vehicles, and who are already battling materials price increases, expensive parking fees, and elevated labour costs. It is argued that many will choose not to undertake work in London and, as a consequence, homeowners will find it harder to have improvement works completed on their properties. This, in turn, will hinder government efforts to upgrade our existing housing stock. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones and Paul Davies, Editor of Professional Builders Merchant, speak to Brett Amphlett, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) about the impact of the mayoral clean air initiative on the industry.