Long term plan needed to improve our homes 8 January, 2021 SHARE Just three out of 250 builders who have expressed an interest in the Green Homes Grant scheme have so far completed the necessary registration and training.
Green home upgrades, that would improve the warmth and comfort of the nation’s homes, are being held back by the lack of a clear long-term plan from the Government, new research from the Federation of Master Builders has found.
When builders were asked to identify the biggest barrier to installing more energy efficiency measures, in line with the UK Government’s target to get as many homes as possible to EPC rating C by 2035, they said:
Homeowners who were left thousands of pounds out of pocket at the hands of their cowboy builders have revealed the emotional turmoil they have experienced at the hands of their constructors.
Their accounts come amid growing calls for the Government to introduce a statutory licensing scheme which regulates builders and protects customers seeking redress for poor workmanship.
Claire Paladino, 38, and her husband Leo, 43, from Northamptonshire, were keen to build a two-storey extension with a garage on their property in August 2019 when they hired their builder after seeking several quotations.
Describing her experience as absolutely horrendous , Mrs Paladino, who was pregnant at the time with her fourth child, claims she lost the sum of £39,000 to a builder who did not complete work, used cheap materials and whose construction did not pass building regulations.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved draftsman. Bob Packer from Abbey Meads died in December from pulmonary fibrosis, an illness which prompted him in 2018 to retire from his small business where he had drafted designs for more than 20,000 homes, pubs and nursing homes in Swindon over 45 years. The 77-year-old taught his son Nigel the trade 25 years ago and the pair worked together for decades. Nigel said: “It was an ideal job for him because he loved meeting people and helping others. He would get to know people and they’d quickly become friends, everyone loved him. “I worked with him for a long time so I’m struggling a bit now. He’s done so much for me and for the town, he was so proud of me, though at first I didn’t think I would be clever enough to do what he did but no-one could have taught me like he did.
Tony Kay has joined Construction Alliance North East s board. THE Construction Alliance North East (CAN) has continued its expansion. Tony Kay, the president of the Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF), has become the latest addition to the board as the regional alliance targets procurement opportunities for North-East contractors in 2021. Mr Kay brings a wealth of experience. As commercial director at Classic Masonry and Bespoke Concrete Products, he has more than 35 years of experience in the industry. Starting out as a quantity surveyor, he has also worked with English Heritage, William Anelay Ltd and Northumbria University. Mr Kay said: “CAN has a crucial role to play in championing regional companies.
By Jordan Marshall2020-12-18T06:00:00+00:00
90% of companies reported material price rises
Small builders are face rising costs because of supply chain disruptions and rising product demand as Brexit looms, according to the Federation of Master Builders.
The latest State of Trade survey data from the FMB, found that 90% of small and medium-sized construction firms had reported rising materials costs - up from 78% in the summer.
The survey, which covered activity in September and October, found there were also key shortages in timber, tiling, white goods and PVC windows and doors, despite firms largely reporting a drop off in workloads.