SACRE BLEU!
French heat pump costs blow hole in ‘nonsense’ UK government policy
Current government policy believes heat pump costs will fall by 25-50 per cent by 2025 and reach parity with a gas boiler by 2030. The average heat pump costs around £10,000 to install compared to a combi-boiler replacement of £1,500. The Heat and Building Strategy, published in October 2021 suggests that increasing volumes of UK heat pump installations will bring costs down. Evidence uncovered by the EUA, however, indicates heat pump installations in France average £11,000, similar to the UK figure, but last year 537,000 heat pumps were sold in France, compared to 50,000 units in the UK. This suggests that higher volumes do not reduce costs and presents a challenge to current UK policy.
PUMP ACTION
Heating installers split on whether to begin fitting heat pumps,Baxi report finds
Training costs, lack of customer demand, and excess paperwork are cited as the main barriers to change. At the same time, the research found that nearly a third – equivalent to about 37,000 of the more than 130,000 of the UK’s heating engineers – are prepared to embrace heat pumps in the near future. By contrast, around 30 per cent say they are extremely unlikely to install heat pumps.
LANDSCAPE ARTISTS
Bradstone announces winners of Landscaper Awards
Paving manufacturer Bradstone has celebrated the achievements of its Assured members through its annual national installer awards, with ten category winners unveiled and one exemplary landscaper crowned Installer of the Year. The recipient of the latter was revealed as Lee Harvey Designs, a landscaping business specialising in garden patio design and installation, based in Clacton-on-Sea.
To find out more about Bradstone Assured: bradstone.com/assured
HEALTH CHECK
Kick It With Keylite returns to raise mental health awareness
Following the success of last year’s initiative, Kick It With Keylite returns for. This year, Keylite Roof Windows is challenging trades to ‘Keep It Up’ in the name of raising money for Mates in Mind, a leading charity addressing the stigma of poor mental health. The manufacturer is challenging installers to record themselves doing as many keepie uppies as they can, share on social, donate to the charity and nominate a ‘mate in mind’ to get involved using the hashtag #KeepItUp.
For more information on this year’s Kick It With Keylite initiative visit www.keyliteroofwindows.com/kick-it-with-keylite
Keylite is encouraging installers to make a donation via its JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kick-it-with-keylite
NOW YOU’RE TALKING
Lighthouse Construction Charity urges: “Talk to Us”
The Lighthouse Construction industry Charity are raising awareness of the importance of talking about wellbeing issues with friends, colleagues and professionals to prevent situations from spiralling to crisis point. Bill Hill, CEO of the charity said: “Last month, we saw a record 300 calls to our 24/7 construction industry helpline. No problem is too large or too small and if they’re not comfortable with talking on the phone, they can use our text support service to chat. They can even visit one of our Lighthouse Beacons to meet and talk face to face in a safe environment.”
Talk to Us (constructionindustryhelpline.com)
GROHE YOUR BUSINESS
GROHE Professional is a flagship initiative for installers,
The new scheme will act as a sub-brand, with a dedicated product portfolio that includes the company’s Eurosmart and Rapido SmartBox. There’s also a comprehensive service and training concept, through the GIVE programme, and a GROHE+ loyalty scheme.
MISTAKES AND LADDERS
WernerCo to reach new heights with ladder safety campaign
The Stepping up to Ladder Safety initiative will include a series of guides covering topics such as how to use equipment safely as well as offering training courses. The campaign comes a time when the working at height specialist is also warning of the importance of purchasing from reputable manufacturers. It follows a recent study by the East of England Trading Standards Association (EETSA) and the Ladder Association that found 80 per cent of telescopic ladders tested failing to meet minimum safety requirements.
To find out more about Werner and its comprehensive range of ladders visit www.wernerco.com/uk/ladder-safety
To view WernerCo’s Ladder Safety Guides visit: www.wernerco.com/uk/ladder-safety
YES, MINISTER
New Construction Minister welcomed by FMB
“Lord Callanan is well known to many in the building industry through his work on climate change and the need to retrofit existing homes,” explains Brian Berry, Chief Executive of FMB. “Top of the list for Master Builders is the need to tackle the skills and material shortages that are plaguing small building companies.”
THE WASTE LAND
Concern over ‘very negative’ environmental impact of waste entering the UK water system
A new survey reveals that the majority of professionals in construction are concerned about the environmental impact of construction site waste entering the UK’s drainage system. The Sitestak study found that 98 per cent of building trade professionals are concerned that waste entering manholes on construction sites is having a negative impact on the environment and the water system.
For more information about the study visit: https://www.sitestak.co.uk/news/construction-waste-in-sewers
GREEN COUNTRY
More Brits are planning green improvements on properties,
New research from NatWest and S&P Global has revealed that almost two thirds (63 per cent) of UK homeowners now plan to upgrade their property over the next 10 years in a bid to reduce energy bills. This stat has grown over 10 per cent since June 2021. The Greener Homes Attitudes Tracker found younger people in particular have plans to make upgrades, with heat pumps and electric car charging points a popular choice.
You can access the full Greener Homes Attitude Tracker here: https://www.natwest.com/mortgages/greener-homes-attitude-tracker.html
FIRE DOOR ALARM
Many of those responsible for fire doors don’t understand fire door responsibility
As new building safety legislation comes into force, the BWF Fire Door Alliance research sought to assess the understanding of fire door third-party certification. Almost one in ten (8 per cent) do not know how the new legislation will affect how fire doors are specified and four in five respondents say end clients do not require third-party certified fire doors to be specified. Positively, however, 55 per cent of respondents specify or use fire doors that are third-party certified.
For more information about third-party certification and the BWF Be Certain, Be Certified campaign, visit https://firedoors.bwf.org.uk/be-certain-be-certified/
SITUATIONS VACANT
Over a quarter of a million extra construction workers needed by 2026, finds CITB
New figures from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) forecast an extra 266,000 workers will be required to meet projected UK construction demand by 2026 (53,200 workers per year). Construction employment could reach a high of nearly 2.78 million workers by 2026. Growth is predicted across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all major sectors are forecast to experience recruitment pinch points.
RED ALERT
Chancellor urged to reintroduce red diesel to cut building costs
The new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi should make re-introducing tax cuts on diesel a priority if he’s serious about tackling construction inflation, claims the National Federation of Builders, NFB. With fuel thefts rising, and diesel now at over £2 a litre, the trade body said it was renewing its campaign to press for red diesel on building sites where the fuel used to receive a 47 pence per litre rebate.
Bridging Finance & Development Loans by Hank Zarihs Associates
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Supply issues on the mend, according to the latest assessments
John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation and Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association, co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group have found that, in general, product availability is improving. Some products, including bricks, aircrete blocks, some roof tiles and semi-conductors, remain on allocation or subject to longer lead times. Otherwise manufacturers are mostly keeping up with demand and the market has become adept at managing supply with planned delivery times.
TIPPING POINT
Illegal dumping of construction waste more than halves in five years
The analysis of the latest records from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) by SiteStak reveals fewer illegal dumping incidents from ‘construction, demolitions and excavations’. It found a 54.55 per cent reduction in such dumping instances in the last five years in England and a 23.27 per cent decrease in the last year alone. However, with construction, demolition and excavation waste accounting for 62 per cent of all UK waste, disposal from UK sites more broadly remains a significant problem for the environment.
For more information about the study, visit: https://www.sitestak.co.uk/news/construction-waste-in-sewers
PANEL OF EXPERTS
West Fraser’s CaberMDF – a brand new look for an old favourite
West Fraser has given its MDF range a makeover with new orange branding. Five grades are available, from the basic lightweight general-purpose grade, CaberMDF Trade, to the top-of-the-range, CaberMDF Industrial, a hard-working, deep routing, moisture-resistant product with uniform density all the way through the board. Also available is CaberMDF Pro, CaberMDF Pro MR and CaberMDF Trade MR.
https://uk.westfraser.com/
CAPITAL PERFORMANCE!
London apprentices show off their skills at bricklaying contest
The Forterra London Apprentice Challenge took place at Lewisham College, with 18 London-based apprentice bricklayers competing. Jack Simmons from Swift Brickwork achieved first place in the individual competition, Shaun Wigzell from Flahive Brickwork took second place, while Joseph Vaughan from Lee Marley and Bradley Battams from Winchmore Brickwork secured third place.
CHARITY CASE
Ibstock raises over £170,000 for Shelter
Colleagues across multiple Ibstock sites have gone above and beyond in raising vital funds through a series of fundraising activities, including team sleep outs and cycle-a-thons covering over 2,000km. All funds have been matched by Ibstock plc to help Shelter’s frontline services support people who are experiencing homelessness and the charity’s work campaigning for lasting change.
For more information on Ibstock’s charity commitments and its ESG Strategy 2030, please visit https://www.ibstockplc.co.uk/sustainability
MADE IT!
Made For Trade has enjoyed a successful FIT show and awards success
Huge interest and large crowds were on hand to see the range of Korniche products as the north east-based company returned to the FIT Show, with the Korniche Bi-Folding Door system proving a particular draw. It’s not the only cause for celebration in 2022 because the North East Business Awards bestowed Made for Trade with an accolade for Manufacturing and High Growth and Ambition, whilst the company was also shortlisted and a finalist for the Company of the Year award.
For more information on Made for Trade services and the Korniche products visit www.madefortrade.co
WIN! with ForgeFast
ForgeFast has teamed up with Professional Builder to give you the chance to win a great trade prize!
Featuring products from across the ForgeFast range and smart merchandise to keep you warm on site. The prize includes its Self-Drilling and Low Torque screws, Decking screws, Anti-Split and Fast Start screws, Exterior Elite 2000 screws, Timber Fixing screws, Construction screws and Flooring screws.
To enter the competition, visit www.forgefastelite.com/competition
