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competitive with demand for skilled tradespeople at an all-time high, which can make this task very challenging at times and finding those who align with our standards can take time. “Despite the pressure to fill roles quickly, we’ve been steadfast in maintaining our high standards, knowing that the right people will contribute to our success in the long run. By focusing on long- term, values-driven recruitment, we’ve been able to grow our team without compromising on quality, even if it means a slower process overall.” Looking ahead Bird is on a mission to make his business “the absolute best”. “This year, we’ve been operating as a business rather than just being tradesmen,” he says. “I’ve been thinking like a businessman, not just a man in a van, and I am trying to make proper profits. We’re continually improving, trying new things.” With eyes firmly focused on 2025, Bird is optimistic. “We’re taking it seriously, supplying our own kitchens and bathrooms instead of buying them from somebody else. We’re going to be pushing the building work, branching out with extensions, brickwork – more than we previously have. We’ll be rocking and rolling next year.” For Park, the bespoke, luxury home market is what is getting him excited for 2025. “The demand for high-quality, custom-built homes continues to be strong, and more people now see the possibility of building their dream home as within reach,” he says. “In particular, certain areas of Scotland are becoming increasingly desirable for bespoke builds.” Park attributes this growth to a number of factors, including greater awareness of custom building
in unethical behaviours”. Citing the recent collapse of ISG and subsequent fall-out for many in its supply chain, he says: “It negatively impacted trust, not just between individual companies, but across the entire industry. “When major contractors squeeze margins to the lowest possible point, it creates immense pressure at every level of the supply chain and impacts on tendering practices across the industry from subcontractors to suppliers, which inevitably leads to reduced quality and strained relationships. The industry relies on trust “Our industry is reliant on trust, from the client all the way through the process to the main contractor, suppliers and subcontractors,” Park says. “If we could move towards fairer payment practices and eliminate behaviours that undermine confidence, we would see better-quality work and stronger, more reliable partnerships across the board. “By relieving the pressure on subcontractors and focusing on fairer margins, we would foster an environment of trust and excellence, benefiting everyone involved in the building process.” The big issue Bird would like to see addressed in the industry is having a mandatory licensing scheme put in place. “It really annoys me that someone can be a builder without a licence because it means the industry has a lot of idiots in it. But then you’ve got the good guys and the great guys – we like to think we sit in the great category – but it’s not always easy for homeowners to know who is good and great. “I’d like to see builders having to pass tests or exams – something to prove their competence – that would literally be the biggest thing for me.”
Business focus in 2025
Joshua Park: ● Process – streamlining and refining our processes to ensure every aspect of our workflow, from project management to communication, operates smoothly and efficiently – enabling us to maintain the high standards we’re known for. ● Stability – shifting focus from growth to stability of systems and teams will enable us to build a stronger foundation for sustainable, long-term success. ● Marketing – connecting with the right market, communicating authentically with clients who truly resonate with what we offer, which starts with a deep understanding of who we are as a company, the unique value we bring, and aligning this with clients’ desires and expectations. Pete Bird: ● Kitchens – we’re supplying our own instead of buying them from someone else. ● Bathrooms – the same as with our kitchens, we’re ramping things up. ● Building work – we’re branching out with extensions and brickwork.
options and more appreciation for exceptional architecture. “Scotland also has an outstanding pool of architects who are leading the way in this market, which, in my opinion, has only increased the appeal of building bespoke homes in these locations,” he adds. In his communication with architects and industry consultants, Park notes a prevailing positivity. “There’s a sense of optimism and confidence, suggesting that the appetite for bespoke homes will be robust in the immediate future. “I have found that architects are pushing creative boundaries, and homeowners are more willing to invest in quality craftsmanship and unique design elements that stand the test of time.” For the construction industry to evolve for the better, Park says there needs to be “significant improvement in payment practices to subcontractors and a reduction
Pete Bird
Joshua Park
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Master Builder
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