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A heat pump extracts energy from renewable sources such us ground, water and the air. A Water source heat pump uses a body of water to extract heat and provide energy to heat your home. The working fluid in the pipes uses the heat from the water source to create...

Brickwork can be subject to all kinds of discolouration depending on the type of brick and the stain. However, concentrating on efflorescence its necessary to understand what it is and why it happens. There are 3 types of efflorescence, 2 primary and 1 secondary...

The housing market moves at 100mph, and Developers are eager to deliver on timescales so that homeowners can move in to their new home on time.  Well, no one but most of the issues listed below are due to people rushing to be finished on time. Every effort is made to...

As the cost-of-living increases, the cost of home insurance has decreased, reveals new data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The research conducted by ABI shows that there has been a 7% decrease over the last 12 months.  The average cost of home...

New regulations introduced by the UK government in 2018 has likely caused the decline in HMOs over the last year, suggests data from Octane Capital. The government implemented new rules that require that a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) applies for a licence for...

Rightmove, the UK property website which states that it covers 96% of homes in the UK that are put up for sale, has reported that soaring asking prices for British homes has been recorded as the highest monthly jump for the same time of year since March 2004. This...

Part Two – By Compariqo’s Head of Risk Managment, Dan Holding. Once the Certified Surveyor in Structural waterproofing (CSSW) is appointed they will work with the existing design team. Early involvement means that the waterproofing design can be incorporated into...

New data released by Barclays reveals that first-time buyer numbers have doubled over the last year, whilst the price of a starter home has dropped by £10k.  This accounts for a 98% increase in people taking that first step onto the property ladder in 2021. The...

Long-term renters are dominating the UK rental market as the sector has recently swelled to such an extent that the UK is now currently fourth world position in terms of rental market size. A study by Octane Capital has found that the UK is only behind the USA,...

Part One - By Compariqo's Head of Risk Managment, Dan Holding.Converting basements and creating floors below ground level has become a popular way of creating additional living space. This comes with obvious risk and the cost to remediate water ingress can be...

Property Estate Agents Rightmove have stated that the average price of a home in the UK has broken history and jumped by £8,000 in just a month. Stirring existing concerns that the housing market is becoming increasingly inaccessible to those not yet on the property...

As the cost of living increases, residential tenants are being pushed to contribute more of their income to keep the roof over their heads as UK rental prices hit a 13-year high at almost £1,000. New research has revealed that rents had increased by 8.3% by the end of...

Completions hit a new record in half-year to end of January, as Bellway complete on 5,694 houses, up 0.7%. Bellway, a Newcastle based company, has revealed higher than forecast prices and strong buyer demand, in spite of recent warnings about the dampening of the...

The collapse of Carillion highlighted the importance of getting Contractor Insolvency cover in place to mitigate the risk of financial loss to developers and investors if a contractor becomes insolvent. Recently, another contractor, - Create Construction went into...

An increase in first-time buyers who braved the current economic climate in 2021, saw an estimated 408,379 mortgaged purchases, which accounted for over 50% of all mortgaged purchases according to Yorkshire Building Society (YBS). This is the first-time that buyer...

A November survey into the UK residential housing market has revealed that despite the uplift in enquiries, there has been a lack of new listings which is holding back market activity.  The limited supply of housing is also keeping prices rising which show no signs of...

Having been formally announced in April, the Help to Build Equity Loan Scheme has launched. In a bid to boost the self-build and custom build sector and bring more opportunities for people to create their own home, the scheme has been allocated £150 million over the...

Dutch firm Basilisk, the pioneers of its new Sensicrete product have signed an agreement with precast specialist JP Concrete for a supply deal which will offer self-healing concrete to the UK. Although normal concrete does have some limited self-healing capacity in...

Many experts feared that the Stamp Duty Holiday surge in house buying would reach a “cliff edge” as the end of the holiday approaches, although this has shown no sign of happening. Zoopla has released figures showing that house prices have risen on average £10,246...

Along with the news of rising steel prices which are forcing many to lower their margins to win jobs, the UK is bracing itself for a continued shortage of other materials. Caused partly by pandemic lockdowns, Brexit and increased global demand, industry leaders have...

Although this is positive news for the economy, there are concerns being raised by Bank of England Chief Economist, Andy Haldane.  He warns that the continued government incentives designed to ignite the housing market, could actually result in deepening the divide...

Halifax’s House Price Index for May has revealed that annual house price inflation was at its strongest in almost seven years. The average UK house price was recorded at £261,743 in May, up 1.3% from April, 2.4% from the previous quarter and up 9.5% year on year...

Property Market experts Zoopla has predicted that the current boom in the housing market is likely to surge to its busiest time in 14 years.  The value of sales in the UK rose by 46% this year when compared with 2020 although London is still somewhat behind. This...

Selected councils will trial the use of the National Modal Design Code (NMDC), which will allow them to adapt the code in their area. In response to the Living with Beauty report that was released in January 2020 by the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission,...

The latest Deloitte crane survey has seen the highest number of new office completions for 18 years with construction starts jumping by a fifth. The survey has found that new construction starts have risen by 20% in the six months leading up to March 2021, compared...

The latest index from Rightmove has shown that asking prices have risen by £5,767 (1.8%) over the last month, reaching a new record of £333,564 in May. Across the UK, prices have also hiked up by 6.7% when compared with March 2020, although no direct comparisons were...

NHBC has released new data that shows that new home build registrations were up 10% in the first quarter of 2021 from the same period in 2020. This is further proof of a strong recovery following a slump in Q2 of 2020 caused by the national lockdown which later...

The current demand for materials far outstrips the supply and the situation has been made worse by several factors such as Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage that lasted for a week. The materials that do make it thought to the UK are being...

The Construction Leadership Council has issued a warning that strong construction activity in the UK, especially in the new housing market, housing RMI and infrastructure sectors has caused a high demand for materials. Evidence suggests that pipeline contracts are...

The current climate has created the “perfect storm” for spiking material costs, says Core Five, an independent firm of construction cost consultants.  This comes just as the industry is preparing its rebound following the third national lockdown. Contributing factors...

Kier Living Limited is in the process of being bought by a newly formed company called Foster BidCo Limited, which is owned by Guy Hands, who is also the founder, chairman and Chief investment officer of one of Europe’s leading private equity firms, Terra Firma. Terra...

Construction companies can now apply for free Covid home testing kits for their staff until 12 April 2021.  As part of the Government’s workplace testing programme, from 6 April, any company with more than 10 employees will be eligible for the tests where onsite...

This week sees the first anniversary since the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic which has caused the collapse into liquidation of more than 1,600 building companies since March 2020, - more than those in the hospitality or retail sector. New statistics show...

In order for the UK to meet the Net Zero target by 2050, the existing stock of Britain’s housing will need to be decarbonised as this currently accounts for 20% of greenhouse emissions.  The Government has estimated this to come at a cost of between £35bn and £65bn,...

Woodbourne Group has unveiled plans for the first mixed-use tower to be constructed in a key part of Birmingham city centre which could create more than 1,000 jobs. A mix of residential living spaces for up to 732 students, and up to 498 residential co-living units....

A survey recently conducted of 14,000 landlords by mydeposits and OME suggests that despite the destructive effects of the pandemic, there is a general optimism amongst them for the future of the BTL sector. Several factors were covered in the survey including...

New VAT rules finally come into force on Tuesday following a long-time plan to implement reverse charge VAT rules. Sub-contractors will now no longer be able to receive VAT payments for their services, unless they are working directly for the end client.  They will...

This week’s budget has been the subject of many rumours following The Building Societies Association calling last week for the chancellor to bring an end to the current stamp duty holiday with a tapered end rather than a sudden cut off which could leave many home...

Recent Government figures show that typical house prices increased by 8.6% last year, with the average house price reaching £254,525 in December of 2020, up from £234,412 from the same month in the previous year. The increase in property value has seen investors’...

Since the launch of the Help-to-Buy Scheme was launched seven years ago, 278,000 households have received an advance from the government to help them get a deposit together for a new home. Although the scheme is coming to an end, information obtained from Homes...

The CIC has set out a number of concerns over the Government’s proposals to extend Permitted Development Rights (PDR) which will allow developers to bypass normal planning procedures when converting premises for residential use and has requested that the Government...

After 4 years of formation, the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) has launched that will appoint and work alongside a New Homes Ombudsman Service to support buyers in the event of a dispute. The (NHQB) is an independent body that has been formed as a champion of new...

HMRC has released new figures from the end of 2020 to detail the level of support given to the UK workforce. The Construction industry was in receipt of support paid under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and despite numbers falling in October, the amount paid out...

The UK Police has launched a new guide to offer advice to construction sites on how to reduce the risk of theft, criminal damage, arson and anti-social behaviour and to help contractors meet completion dates and development costs. The guide provides advice on how to...

The Nexus construction helmet will, in March, have a new upgraded version revealed that incorporates a new technology called Mips (a Swedish safety helmet technology), to improve safety and reduce the risk of concussion or serious brain injury. The helmet, which is...

Members of the BMP who collectively represent a £38 billion share of the construction industry have reported of a shortage on products including roofing materials and timber which is starting to have a detrimental effect on the industry. Some members have reported...

According to the latest official data, London house prices saw a big increase towards the end of 2020 with a rise of 4% between October and November last year.  An annual price rise of 9.7 saw average property prices breaking the £500,000 threshold for the first time...

Proposals to introduce new regulations to control overheating in new homes have become part of a consultation following research by the Government.  These regulations propose to build all new residential homes in London with windows up to 60% smaller than elsewhere in...

With the aim of speeding up the transaction process for residential purchases, a mortgage lender says it will now accept ‘no-search indemnity insurance’. An intermediary only lender, Foundation Home Loans says it will allow for conveyancing solicitors to place the...

The sharp drop in migrant workers over the course of the last year may a continuing trend that could impede the recovery of the economy in the UK. Not only has there been an exodus of EU immigrants that were already working in the UK, but applications by Europeans for...

The Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group is being wound down and replaced with a new group after almost 30 years of promoting the interests of subcontractors in the construction industry. The SEC has historically represented a group of sub-industries within...

Ending months of negotiations and uncertainty, Boris Johnson finally agreed a trade deal with the EU at the end of 2020, including fishing rights and future business rules. Although still expected to come into force, the deal is unlikely to be signed off by Parliament...

A revolutionary new crawler crane that could make a valuable contribution to the UK´s target of zero carbon has been launched by Liebherr. Cranes are invaluable to the construction industry in lifting heavy components and to have the opportunity to do so without...

An independent report, SME Finance Monitor published by BVA BDRC has found that more SMEs (42%) were optimistically looking to the future and that Q3 was focused on planning ahead. However, one in three SMEs still think that the worst is yet to come and are preparing...

Earlier this year, the government announced new planning reforms which allows developers to convert a wider range of commercial buildings into homes without acquiring planning permission for a change of use. Under the previous rules, it was only offices that could be...

Deloitte Real Estate’s latest crane survey has revealed that the number of new offices being constructed in London has dropped by 50%. Following the global pandemic which has caused delays to current projects, the London market is now facing a state of suspension. ...

As of this 15th of this month, there will be a reduction in quarantine period for travellers coming into the UK from abroad which is hoped will breathe new life into the London property market, in particular the Prime Central London (PCL) property market. For arrivals...

After a two-year pilot project devised by a letting agency, a new up-front payment system which has been hailed as ´game changing´ is about to be rolled out across the UK. Choices is a letting agency in the South East of England and has other associate brands...

Following the global pandemic which saw sales plummet for builders´ merchants throughout the year, particularly in the months from March to May, September 2020 has seen a surge in sales which are up 8.3% compared with September 2019, according to the latest report by...

The use of timber in construction is growing and the actions of a consortium of organisations is aiming to boost the usage of home-grown wood through the establishment of the first ever engineered timber manufacturing plant in the UK. Innovate UK has granted funds...

Excavation at a construction site in Barking, Essex has found various artefacts dating back to several periods including Medieval, Saxon and Roman times. The site is adjacent to the ruins of Barking Abbey which was once considered an important religious centre before...

Following the release of the Government’s Planning for the Future whitepaper in August, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) has now published its response. The CIC is the representative for professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business...

The housing market has recently boomed, with record house price growth rates and pent up demand seeing the busiest months for house sales in years.  Planning reforms have made it easier to convert premises to a different use – either commercial or residential and for...

Any employee around the world who works for JCB has been given an extra day holiday over Christmas to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the company and the 75th birthday of the owner. UK employees must take their holiday on Christmas Eve which will extend the standard...

The Office of National Statistics has released figures for UK construction output in August 2020. Following record monthly construction output growth in June (21.8%) and July (17.2%) of 2020, growth slowed to 3.0% in August.  Although output rose to £12,455 million,...

What may be due to pent up demand or an urgency to complete on a house purchase before the possibility of another complete lock down, the UK housing market boomed throughout September and October. New records were set and Rightmove made new forecasts in light of...

Ahead of the UK Government imposing a second lockdown starting today, applications for its business support loan schemes have been extended until 31 January 2021. Loans that have been extended include the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the...

Waiting for completion on a sale before you can start your next project can be frustrating.  Bridging the gap between a sale and next purchase with Bridging Finance can get you moving faster than if you had to wait for a sale.  Many developers use bridging finance...

Many may be familiar with the Yellow Book which is a directory of construction equipment that was previously unavailable digitally.  Now for the first time, it available online and is fully searchable and free to use. User will need to register their details but can...

Compariqo can arrange a policy called a ´Retrospective Structural Warranty´ which is for properties that have already been completed, but do not have structural defects insurance in place. Once an inspection has been successfully completed and there has been sign off...

Fresh, damp plaster in a new build property can be an invitation to plaster beetles to come in and feast. If you or your clients experience an infestation, it could be due to the house not being dried out properly prior to habitation. Although not considered to be...

A new report by a major government advisor has estimated that up to 50,000 new jobs could be created if the government targeted 75,000, high-quality, well designed modular homes per year by 2030. The report has been co-authored by Mike De’Ath, partner at HTA Design...

Brick merchant Brickability has reported a pre-tax profit despite the slump during Covid lockdown. After listing on the AIM last September, the firm reported a pre-tax profit of £12.2m in the year to March, an increase of 42% and up 15% on revenue to £187m. The firm...

There’s no better peace of mind for a homeowner than having a 10-year structural warranty in place to cover the cost of repairing any structural defects that may arise in a new build property during the first 10 years of its life. As an insurance policy, a homeowner...

What do you do when you have an invasion of Horsetail on your site? Equisetum arvense, commonly known as Horsetail can be a proverbial thorn in the side to developers, but there are ways to deal with it that will benefit your budget and the environment. The weed has...

England will see the shared ownership scheme being overhauled in a bid to increase the amount of people getting onto the property ladder. To start with, the initial share purchase which used to be 25% has now been cut to 10% to make purchasing more affordable. If...

In a bid to boost housing development in the UK, central government recently announced the biggest housing reform since the second world war, although the plans have not been well received with local councillors. A recent survey conducted reveals that 78% of...

July saw almost 66,300 mortgage approvals, jumping 40% from 39,900 in June – a good sign that the market is in recovery according to the Bank of England who says that the number of approvals is now nearing the average of pre-pandemic levels. The surge in demand is...

The UK’s largest house builder is targeting 15,000 home completions for the year ahead after experiencing a surge in demand for new homes after the end of lockdown.   Production rates are now back on track and the company is preparing to ramp up for new completions as...

Following the global pandemic which saw a complete lockdown in many countries across the globe, many office workers were forced to switch the way they work and work from home. The majority of the UK has now returned to some semblance of office normality through...

A fundraise led by Vanneck Investments along with participation from a host of entrepreneurs and investors has raised £1.2 million of seed funding for a start-up company specialising in hire equipment for the construction market. London based Skrap, the construction...

Construction activity in the UK is showing signs of recovery following the worst global recession since the second world war.  Output soared in July with the highest activity recorded since October 2015.  Information provider IHS Markit found that the rise in the...

The Department for Education (DfE) has appointed Kier for a £24.7 million project at the Dover Grammar School for Boys.  The project was procured through the DfE Construction Framework and is due for completion in Summer 2023.  With the aim of providing new amenities...

The Financial Times has reported that City of London economists have predicted a 14.3% rise in GDP for Q3, - which will have a positive impact on the Construction industry, according to recruitment specialist Simon Robinson, co-founder of Red Diamond Executive...

A recent survey conducted by Dakea, a leading manufacturer of roof windows built for the trade has revealed that 78% of tradespeople believe that the industry needs more recruits which it is currently seriously underutilising. The survey questioned 500 roofers,...

Work has begun on the £2m refurbishment of a landmark office building at 54 Hagley Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham by Aberdeen Standard Investments. The outdated building contains a 16-storey east wing and an eight-floor west wing, of which five floors are being...

In a bid to boost confidence to new build homebuyers, the government has released a Building Safety Bill in which it includes plans to introduce a New Homes Ombudsman so that homebuyers have effective and accessible methods for seeking redress for problems encountered...

Although figures are still lower by 35.9% than the same period in the previous year which has been mostly accredited to the pandemic, the latest data from HMRC reveals that between May and June this year, residential property transactions climbed to 63,250 - a rise of...

The name’s Bond…Performance Bond actually  But it could be any type of Bond required in construction – the main ones that are usually requested through Compariqo aside from Performance Bonds are Insolvency Bonds, Advance Payment Bonds or Road and Sewer Bonds.  A bond...

Vistry is undertaking a regeneration project of a 21-acre site in Bristol. The plans include 346 homes, several retail and start-up business units, a community building and many green spaces factored in to the community. In a partnership with Ilke, Vistry will deliver...

SME housebuilders already face certain barriers to growth such as access to land, the poor planning process and access to finance (read our ebook on the top 3 barriers facing SME builders). SME’s make up a large part of the UK economy and require more active support...

A series of large pits in a ring formation of large pits has been found encircling Stonehenge, leaving the immediate future of the Stonehenge tunnel project uncertain.  The pits cover a distance of approximately one kilometre and require study to determine their...

The future of the Building Control sector in the UK is set be reformed, being a key part of the Government’s Building Safety Programme. NHBC, along with other leading organisations have formed the “Future of Building Control Working Group”, which has been formed to...

September is the date set for the implementation of the biggest reform to planning since the Second World War which will allow Britain to build without all of the red tape restrictions that come with normal planning procedures. With special emphasis on commercial...

The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that the scheme which helps more families across the UK into affordable homes has been extended by a year. Following the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent slump in housebuilding, it has been...

Despite the £30m loan from Homes England in 2019, modular housebuilder Ilke has started a redundancy program due to the high number of contract delays following the Covid-19 pandemic. Ilke employs over 600 people and although it has not been confirmed how many people...

In a bid to boost the housing market, Rishi Sunak has affected an immediate cut on stamp duty.  This makes up part of a package which is expected to include a six-month “holiday” from the charge on most homes to provide an incentive to boost the market again....

Some of the most positive news we have had for weeks is the announcement of the fastest housebuilding rise for five years which has given fresh hope of a strong economic recovery from the slump caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.  A PMI survey was conducted of the...