APRIL/MAY 2025 £4.25
THE MAGAZINE OF THE FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS
THE ONLY WAY IS UP
In dense cities, GIR Construction Solutions understands that providing people with new homes often means building upwards
GREEN BELT MYTHS DEBUNKED Distinguishing between fact and fiction to keep you informed
MOMENTUM IS BUILDING Support for a mandatory licensing scheme in construction is growing
SECOND CHANCES An inclusive recruitment strategy benefits employers and employees
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Contents APRIL/MAY 2025 Industry update
Features
24 Give peace a chance Tom Henderson of Earlswood Construction tells of relocating Bradford’s Peace Museum 26 Skint and scared Financial stability is an essential component of your overall wellbeing 32 Second chances Nik Nelberg of Earl & Calam Design and Build speaks about how he adopted a more inclusive hiring strategy 34 Gen Z’s dodgy spending Poor work from unqualified tradespeople is causing trust issues for younger generations
16
7 Welcome
Maintaining rigorous quality standards is what sets Master Builders apart
8 News
The latest headlines from the industry
15 What’s up at Westminster?
Momentum is building for a mandatory licensing scheme in the construction industry
Spotlight
Your FMB
26
16 Made to inspire Given London’s urban density, Ben Chalk of GIR Construction Solutions says sometimes the only way to build is up 18 Maintaining momentum
37 See you there Make sure you book your ticket for your local Master Builder Awards ceremony 39 Welcome to new clients Say hello to the FMB’s newest Connections Clients, which are chosen to support members and their businesses 41 Am I covered? Confusion persists between builders and homeowners about whose insurance covers what, but don’t get caught out 42 Member update Welcome to new members that have joined the FMB 44 Member news
FMB members reveal how they remain motivated in their business – even when times feel impossibly difficult
Business support
20 Protect the project Know your RAMS from your CPP so you can always remain compliant with regulations 22 Debunking green belt myths It’s better to deal with fact not fiction when it comes to the green belt 23 H&S round-up Keeping you and your team safe on site
An update from members in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
44
49 Five in five
Rapid-fire Q&A with two members
Advertising Advertising enquiries Susan Cook +44 (0)20 7880 6206 masterbuilder@redactive.co.uk @fmbuilders
Editorial Editor Bradford Keen bradford.keen@redactive.co.uk Head of Marketing Toby Bowers Designer David McCullough
Master Builder has been carefully prepared but articles are published without responsibility on the part of the publishers or authors for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any view, information or advice included therin. Articles published in Master Builder do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Federation of Master Builders Ltd nor can the Federation of Master Builders Ltd, the publishers or authors accept any responsibility for any claims made by advertisers.
Published by Redactive Publishing Ltd Fora, 9 Dallington Street, London EC1V 0LN www.redactive.co.uk
Picture editor Jessica Marsh Publishing director Joanna Marsh
/FederationofMasterBuilders
@federationofmasterbuilders
FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS David Croft House 25 Ely Place London EC1N 6TD Tel: 020 7025 2900 www.fmb.org.uk
Federation of Master Builders
Production Production manager Aysha Miah-Edwards +44 (0)20 7880 6241 aysha.miah@redactive.co.uk
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IPEB([SHUWDGYLFHDQGVXSSRUWB[LQGG MasterBuilder.AugSept21.042.indd 4
13/07/2021 11:13
Welcome BRIAN BERRY
M ost building out from the competition and demonstrate their excellence. The 14-point check system
“There is a big opportunity and necessity to drive up standards in an industry where anyone can claim to be a competent builder.”
the FMB will support licensing over the coming months. Financial instability can have a significant impact on mental and physical wellbeing. Our feature on pages 26-29 looks at the extent of the problem and how those who are struggling can access support. On pages 32-33, we hear from employee Connor Gridley and employer Nik Nelberg from Earl and Calam Design and Build Ltd about what it means to give someone a second chance. In a time of acute skills shortages, employing prison leavers offers a practical solution while helping to turn lives around. The UK is blessed with a magnificent built environment ranging from cob cottages in the West Country to granite and stone houses in the North. This year, Bradford is the UK city of culture and what a fitting opportunity to speak with Tom Henderson, Managing Director of Earlswood Construction, which completed the relocation of the Peace Museum to Salts Mill, a notable city landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire (pages 24-25). Finally, every edition brings us closer to the 2025 Master Builder Awards, with the first regional ceremony scheduled in April. Find out on page 37 where and when your local celebrations will take place, as we head to the national event in September.
companies join the FMB because of the credibility it gives them to stand
and important building inspection required before becoming an FMB member underpin what it means to be a Master Builder and give clients and homeowners assurance. Given that a third of homeowners are reluctant to have work done to their homes because of concerns about who to go to, there is a big opportunity and necessity to drive up standards in an industry where anyone can claim to be a competent builder without any experience or qualifications. The situation seems to be even worse for younger people in their twenties – the Gen Z generation. The FMB and TrustMark have conducted research that shows Gen Z is most likely to have negative experiences with tradespeople. Find out more on pages 34-35. The FMB has long argued that this situation is unsatisfactory and there needs to be a licensing scheme for building companies. Attempts to persuade governments of all colours haven’t yet succeeded, despite the Grenfell Inquiry report calling for the licensing of principal contactors. Later this month there will be a debate in the House of Commons when the Conservative MP Mark Garnier tables a Private Member’s Bill calling for the licensing of domestic building companies. Word at Westminster on page 15 gives us an update on what to expect and how
BRIAN BERRY, Chief Executive Federation of Master Builders
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News
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NEWS
Grey belt is no good
The House of Lords’ Built Environment Committee has told Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner that the government’s plans for the grey belt are unworkable and will not yield more housing. The grey belt policy, announced in July 2024, aims to create more land for housing by using lower-quality green belt land to expand rural settlements and unlock sites on the boundaries of existing communities. The policy requires local authorities to review green belt boundaries and propose alterations if they cannot accommodate their need for homes through other means. The Lords said the policy is at odds with other planning reforms and there is doubt about how many homes the so-called grey belt could even accommodate, given the lack of clarity on how the policy progress would be tracked. Lord Moylan, Chair of the Built Environment Committee, said the policy has been implemented in a “rushed and incoherent manner” and it’s unlikely “to have any significant or lasting impact on planning decision-making or helping the government achieve its target of building 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliament”.
Rayner: No excuses not to build 1.5m homes
D eputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner admitted that there are “no excuses” not to build one and a half million new homes as promised by the Labour government in its election manifesto.
In an interview with the BBC, Rayner acknowledged that the housing target was ambitious and is a difficult task but doubled down on the government’s commitment to meet it. Rayner, who is also Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: “There are no excuses to not build those homes that people desperately need. And we mean business on this, because far too many people are not getting these homes.” Meeting the target requires 300,000 new homes to be built every year – an amount that has not been achieved for more than 50 years.
Clients are ‘ignoring building safety’ There has been a “total lack of engagement” from clients with Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) members on Rachel Davidson, Director of Specialist Knowledge at BESA, said: “As there is currently very little enforcement of the legislation
and, therefore, no apparent consequences, clients are still subjecting contractors to aggressive and sub-economic pricing. “Not a single client has asked any of our members about compliance with the Act. Tenders are still being won on lowest price and still being value engineered throughout the project on non-HRB works. “Several contractors who insisted on applying more rigorous safety measures said they had been priced out of projects as a result.”
compliance, with “not a single client” discussing building safety with them, according to research from BESA. BESA members from across the UK said project decisions were made largely based on cost and speed, particularly by owners and developers whose buildings were not classified as ‘higher risk’ (HRBs). BESA’s research is based on holding focus groups with members for six months to assess the adoption of measures introduced under the Building Safety Act.
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NEWS IN NUMBERS
1.4m The number of young people currently considering a career in construction. Source: Housebuilder Redrow’s annual research
Tributes to the deceased and displaced at the Grenfell Tower site
Grenfell Tower to be deconstructed
H ousing Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced plans to deconstruct the remains of Grenfell Tower. Back in 2021 specialist structural engineers advised the Ministry of Housing to deconstruct Grenfell Tower “at the earliest possible opportunity, with deconstruction commencing no later than May 2022”. Rayner’s decision has been met with mixed reactions from groups representing survivors and victims of the tragedy. The Grenfell United bereaved and survivors family group said: “We’ve said this to every secretary of state for housing since the very beginning: consult the bereaved and survivors meaningfully before reaching a decision on the tower. “Angela Rayner could not give a reason for her decision to demolish the tower. She refused to confirm how many bereaved and survivors had been spoken to in the recent, short four-week consultation. But judging from the room alone – the vast majority of whom were bereaved – no
one supported her decision. But she claims it is based on our views.” A separate organisation, Grenfell Next of Kin, said: “This is an uncomfortable conversation with uncomfortable truths at its heart. If wishful thinking was an option, we would wish the fire had not killed our parents, our children, our siblings, our partners, our grandchildren and our grandparents who we miss every single day. We would want the tower to stand as a permanent reminder forever. “But the truth is the tower is being propped up by approximately 6,000 props. It has cost £340 million (projected costs to 2028). It cannot be propped up indefinitely due to safety concerns. As people who have lost families to tragedy, we would never want the responsibility of endangering anyone else. Furthermore, the lack of closure, the continuous discussions and consultations, the retraumatisation of a divisive and painful debate, brings nothing to the table except pain and further division.” The site will remain as is until June 2025, the eighth anniversary of the tragedy.
£79.5bn The total value of construction contracts awarded in 2024. Source: Barbour ABI
800+ The n umber of high-rise residential projects stalled by the Building Safety Regulator design c hecks.
Source: A Freedom of Information request by consultant Project4
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INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS
Increased AI use in construction More than half of construction professionals are using artificial intelligence (AI) in their business, according to research commissioned by The Access Group. Surveying more than 1,100 employees across 12 UK industry sectors, 52 per cent of construction professionals reported using AI to save them time and elevate standards. The research revealed that for construction professionals, AI has brought the following benefits: ● Reduced workloads (64%) ● Saved money (51%) ● Boost in productivity (44%) ● Improved work-life balance (31%) ● Enhanced customer service (30%) ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool, used by 57 per cent of respondents. Alex Boury, General Manager at Access Construction, part of The Access Group, said: “Tools like
Retrofit skills gap plagues progress
A s many as four in 10 Research by Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) shows that this lack of skills is hampering the UK’s achievement of net zero goals. Lisa Ashworth, CEO at BSRIA said: “Retrofitting 29 million construction professionals say retrofit skills in the industry are lacking.
ChatGPT can help speed up routine tasks like
homes by 2050 is an ambitious goal for the UK. “To achieve it, we must upskill the construction workforce on the value of retrofitting and the need for a meticulous approach to every property. As the saying goes, ‘you can’t test what you don’t measure’ – a mindset the entire industry must embrace.”
writing emails. But advanced tools, including
construction- specific ERP systems
use AI and big-data processing to securely
analyse huge amounts of data to help with cost forecasting, CVR and resource allocation. “AI has the potential to be transformative to the sector, driving better decisions and providing insights to help companies build better across the sector.”
According to the research:
43% of professionals take physical measurements to validate the performance of retrofit measures
25% doubt the long- term efficiency – more than 20 years –
40% say the training available
62% regard retrofitting as being better at reducing carbon emissions compared with energy-efficient new builds
to them is insufficient
of retrofit upgrades
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NEWS IN NUMBERS
Long wait for social housing
T he wait for social housing in London is at a 10-year high, according to government data from London Councils. More than 335,000 households across the capital’s 32 boroughs were on waiting lists for social housing in 2024 – a 32 per cent increase since 2014. London accounts for roughly a quarter of England’s total number of households waiting for social housing. London Councils, which represents the capital’s 32 borough
councils and the City of London, has warned of a homelessness emergency, noting that 183,000 Londoners are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local boroughs. Labour Councillor Grace Williams, Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration at London Councils, said: “The capital is becoming increasingly unaffordable and, as these numbers demonstrate, there is a desperate need for more social housing.”
5,756 The number of counselling sessions delivered to the construction workforce in 2024 by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity. Source: Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity
4% The forecasted growth of construction output in 2026, with 2.1% in 2025. Source: Construction Products Association
Low-carbon cement to hit market
N orthern Ireland cement producer Cemcor has completed trials of what it calls a low-carbon cement product. Using calcined clay made from locally-sourced raw materials and heat treated at lower temperatures than those required to produce conventional clinker, the company says its new cement has a lower carbon
footprint compared with conventional cement products. Cemcor has partnered with two of its customers to trial Calcinx in industrial-scale concrete applications. Precast paving manufacturer Tobermore produced paviours from 50% Calcinx as a CEM II replacement. Moore Concrete manufactured precast units using 50% Calcinx as a CEM I replacement.
52% The percentage of construction professionals who are using artificial intelligence at work. Source: The Access Group survey of more than 1,000 respondents
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INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS
M ajor training bodies should merge to fix the skills shortage. This was the message in a report by consultant Mark Farmer, commissioned by the Department for Education to review industry training boards (ITBs). Specifically, Farmer’s report said the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) “should be merged into a single rebranded body tasked with improving workforce resiliency through a single combined strategy”. The report, spanning more than 200 pages, called for the industry training board model to be retained but wanted to see “wholesale transformation” of strategic priorities, core capabilities and activities to address the “fundamental workforce resilience challenges”. The report also called for: ● retention of the ITBs’ levy-grant system, albeit ‘modernised and refocused’; and ● development of smart KPI to maximise output from levy spend with greater accountability between industry and the government. A steering group will be set up to consider implementation of all of Farmer’s recommendations. CITB Chief Executive Tim Balcon said: “Importantly, the report recognises the significant skills challenges facing the construction and engineering industries and the vital role that the ITBs play in helping address these. Further, it asserts that the
Will the CITB and ECITB merge?
build new infrastructure projects and deliver much-needed housing won’t happen unless there is a radical review of the training landscape – the Mark Farmer report shows the way forward. “If the government is to deliver its ambitious infrastructure and housing
best way of doing so is to retain the ITB model and industry-specific levies. “Grant funding for apprenticeships and new entrants is vital, with more than two-thirds of apprenticeship starts in the construction industry being employed by companies of fewer than 50 employees.” Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “For too long the construction industry has been plagued by an ongoing skills crisis which is holding back economic growth. The urgent need to
targets, then it makes sense for them to implement the Mark Farmer report in full.” Scan the QR code for the full report.
Construction boss jailed for Covid fraud
of Covid-related fraud. Bounce Back Loans were designed to support small and medium-sized businesses through the pandemic. Taxpayers’ money should not have been used for personal purposes by company directors.”
in prison and has been banned from being a company director for 10 years. David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the
of Bounce Back Loans of £50,000 each in 2020, when companies were only entitled to one. Deda, who failed to use any of the £100,000 for the economic benefit of the business as required by the scheme, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years
The director of Berkshire- based Knight Workers Limited has been jailed after fraudulently obtaining two Covid loans for his construction business. Director Arti Deda overstated his company’s turnover to the bank to gain the maximum value
Insolvency Service, said: “This significant jail term and director disqualification reflects the seriousness
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NEWS
Government suspends 39 solid wall insulation firms
I nvestigations by TrustMark have led to the government banning 39 solid wall insulation specialists from installing new insulation in people’s homes. Routine checks by the quality watchdog TrustMark revealed the poor-quality wall insulation in homes. The government is cracking down on firms that have fitted insulation panels since 2022 under the Energy Company Obligation 4 and Great British Insulation Scheme. The consequences for bad work will require installers to provide remedial work free of charge to homeowners – and they will face a continued ban from installing new solid wall insulation until they rectify their previous work.
Ofgem is contacting affected households notifying them of inspections to determine the quality of work delivered under the two schemes. Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “I know this news will be concerning for people who have had external or internal wall insulation fitted through either scheme we have inherited. “That is why we are taking action to put this right, forcing installers to fix any poor-quality installations as soon as possible and at their own expense. It is clear the existing system of protections for consumers we inherited is in dire need of reform. This will be front and centre of our Warm Homes Plan, as we work to make sure no households are let down in this way again.”
Most developers avoid BNG rules T hree-quarters of non- householder planning applications have claimed exemptions from biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements since inception in February last year. The aim of the new BNG rules is to make developers mitigate environmental harm and habitat loss. Research by TerraQuest, the provider of Planning Portal, shows the requirement that applies to most planning applications is not being consistently carried out. One of the eight exceptions from BNG is known as ‘de minimis’, which claims the developments do not affect a priority habitat. Between August and December 2024, the number of ‘de minimis’ claims rose by 47 per cent to 76 per cent. TerraQuest Chief Executive Geoff Keal said: “Since the launch of the biodiversity net gain policy, there has been an ongoing industry discussion about its implementation. Our latest report adds to this debate, highlighting key trends in the data — including a higher-than- expected use of exemptions.”
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THE WORD AT WESTMINSTER
WHAT’S UP AT WESTMINSTER?
Support for a mandatory licensing scheme is building and that is good news for the industry,
says Jeremy Gray, Head of External Affairs at the FMB
T he sudden change in international norms set out by President Trump and the subsequent scramble to react by European leaders has taken up much of the news. But far from the political machinations of world leaders and much closer to home, policy affecting our industry has been ticking along. We’ve seen more on housing and skills policies, which is positive but unlikely to shift the dial. It’s good to see momentum for licensing once again building, which I’ll dig into here. Momentum builds for licensing An issue that has long been pushed by the FMB is licensing builders to ensure there is minimum competence in place – and the proof thereof – to be a builder. The aim is to rid cowboys from the marketplace and give consumers a clear route to take action against rogue traders. Momentum has once again been gathering, with a new government in place and the second phase Grenfell Inquiry report recommending that licensing should be introduced, albeit for major contractors. However, the principle applies to all parts of the market.
A Private Members’ Bill on licensing the construction industry is being taken to the House of Commons
them, but they do highlight an issue, even if they don’t progress into law. The FMB will be backing Garnier’s bill and we’re supporting the promotion and technical elements behind the scenes. But this isn’t where the momentum stops. We’re updating a report from 2018, which set out quite broadly what licensing would look like. Our new report will specifically focus on how a licensing regime will operate in practice – a key question we need to answer for us to gain traction with the government. The updated report will be launched in parliament in May at the House of Lords, with politicians and stakeholders from across the spectrum invited to learn about how crucial licensing is to the industry. Keep an eye out for updates in coming months. The road to achieving a mandatory licensing scheme will be difficult – it’s never easy trying to implement new laws – but momentum is on our side and the FMB will use this to share the message.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) agrees, and has called for builders to be licensed similarly to architects. We understand the logic – what’s the point of the designer being regulated if the person implementing the design is not? The entire system around a builder is regulated: insurance, planning, products, but the key element – the builder – is not, and it could be anyone who is carrying out the work. This puts homeowners at unnecessary risk, and when a project goes wrong due to dodgy work, it tarnishes the reputation of all builders. Our members overwhelmingly support licensing – as many as 86 per cent according to our last poll. Licensing heads to parliament Mark Garnier MP, a long-time advocate for licensing, has once again brought a Private Members’ Bill to the House of Commons. These personally sponsored bills seldom get very far unless the government backs
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SPOTLIGHT GIR CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS LTD
If rising to the challenge is what defines a Master Builder, then Ben Chalk of GIR Construction Solutions Ltd in London is at the top of his game MADE TO INSPIRE
N ew building safety regulations either have already or will affect the way you work. Just ask Ben Chalk, Founder and Operational Director of London-based GIR Construction Solutions Ltd, about a project that tested his regulatory knowledge and strategic problem-solving. Hired by the freeholder of the building, Chalk was tasked with carrying out a two-storey vertical extension to a block of flats in Brixton. “The project became complex because it triggered certain fire regulations due to the building’s new height,” Chalk explains. “As you know, in the UK, once a building surpasses 11 metres, it introduces a new level of regulatory complexity. Since we were doing a rooftop extension – adding two additional stories to an existing building – this threshold became a major challenge. Typically, when a building exceeds 11 metres, the London Fire Brigade typically asks for a full retrofit of the building with sprinklers, which in Chalk’s case would have meant disrupting tenants, breaking into ceilings, and installing large pipes – which is costly and invasive. “Before starting the project, I worked closely with a building control body to confirm we could proceed while mitigating the need retrofit the entire building by implementing alternative fire safety measures. “However, midway through the project, that building control company merged with a larger firm, and all prior approvals were some how
Two-storey vertical extension in Brixton by GIR Construction Solutions Ltd
install sprinklers,” Chalk says. undertaking intrusive works.”
pushed aside. The new firm insisted we retrofit the entire building, which would have made the project financially unviable due to the additional costs and disruptions.” Retrofitting the building would have required the team to install sprinklers in all of the other 14 existing flats. “But it’s not like we automatically had the right to enter people’s homes to
alternative fire safety measures. These included: ● adding additional lobby spaces to the staircase to separate the existing flats from the main staircase, improving fire safety for leaseholders and tenants; and ● installing a positive pressurisation unit – there was no space to install a traditional smoke ventilation system – which introduces
Interpreting the rules Chalk says building regulations are open to interpretation. “While regulations might state certain standards need to be met, every building is unique, and different solutions can achieve compliance.” To avoid retrofitting the entire building, Chalk introduced
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GIR CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS LTD
fresh air into the lobbies and prevents smoke from accumulating in escape routes, ensuring a safe exit during emergencies. Aside from fire safety, a major challenge was securing planning permission. Chalk says the site initially had permission for three additional flats. “We saw an opportunity to optimise the space and proposed adding a fourth unit, but the local planning authority rejected the application. “We had to go through a rigorous reapplication process, countering each objection with evidence and justification. Eventually, we got the fourth flat approved, but it was a long and frustrating process.” Additionally, Chalk says many building control surveyors are leaving the industry instead of requalifying as required by the new building safety regulations. “Over the course of this project, two surveyors assigned to us left the industry, forcing us to restart reviews and approvals multiple times. “Imagine somebody with 30 years of experience inspecting buildings, someone who really knows what they’re talking about, who now has to produce a 300-page report to prove that they are able to certify a building. So surveyors are dropping out, left and right.” Lessons learnt One of the key takeaways from this project, Chalk says, was understanding the importance of detailed planning and design from the outset. With requirements in the Building Safety Act 2022 to maintain a ‘golden thread’
space is scarce. London has an enormous demand for housing, but land is extremely limited. You can’t just buy a vacant plot in central London – they’re practically nonexistent. So, we have to think differently about how we build. “It’s about repurposing existing buildings or extending them backwards, sidewards, upwards, downwards, in whichever way you can to maximise space while respecting residents. That’s what makes it inspiring to me.” Chalk’s parting advice to fellow FMB members is to be observant, aware and creative. “Walk down the street, see what has been built, and check local planning portals to understand how those projects got permission. If something similar has been done nearby, you have a strong case to argue for your own project. “Be proactive. Seek pre- application advice from your local council. Understand the potential roadblocks before you submit a full application. Most importantly, embrace innovative solutions – whether it’s in planning, fire safety, or design – to unlock new possibilities for development.”
of information – meaning approvals, design decisions and evidence need to be documented and trackable – Chalk says being fastidious about the plan and design stages is essential. “Historically, construction followed a ‘design-and-build’ approach, where final details could be adjusted as work progressed. However, new regulations, particularly for buildings over 18 metres, require approvals at multiple stages before construction can even begin. Even though our project wasn’t over 18 metres, we faced similar scrutiny. “My advice? Get everything in writing. Avoid verbal agreements. Invest in thorough
design work upfront, even if it delays the project – it will save you time and money later by preventing you from having to jump over any unexpected regulatory hurdles.” Spaces that inspire The motto of Chalk’s business is ‘Building Inspiring Spaces’, and this project, he says, fits the bill. “It’s about creating new opportunities in places where
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MAINTAINING SPOTLIGHT MEMBER VOICES
P am Wilson and her husband Kevin have been running Kevin Wilson Master Builders in Scotland for 18 years. In fact, making it this far together is what Wilson regards as her biggest achievement. “We still like each other. We still love each other. We can still work together,” Wilson says. “It’s not always easy, because we’re very different and do different roles, but we and the business have grown together.” In nearly two decades, Wilson has overcome unique challenges: the financial crash of 2008 followed by the global shutdown in 2020 caused by the Covid pandemic. “During Covid, I could see everything that was going on but had no control,” she explains. “It was hard to pivot when there was no help or information coming quickly enough. It was very laborious, a long two years of trying to fight for your business. “The first six weeks were horrific. I was stuck and couldn’t see any way through it. Eight weeks in, I gave myself a shake. My kids were fantastic. My daughter, who was at university in England, came home to help and said, ‘I’ve got your back.’ That was a really nice feeling to think these kids are super strong.
after the other, resulting in the project moving very quickly. “The clients were especially happy with our efforts and we have entered the property into different award competitions, including the FMB’s Master Builder Awards.” Even with successful and enjoyable projects, running a construction business is not easy – as most members know. Challenges are inevitable and, currently, Richards cites the cost of materials as a major hurdle to overcome. “Something that would have cost a few hundred pounds a year or so ago, is now closer to a thousand pounds and ever rising,” he points out. “When submitting quotes to potential customers, it can be alarming to see how much the prices have risen when compared to similar quotes from previous years. “The construction industry is working with the tightest budgets at the moment without actually pricing themselves out of work.” It has been essential for Richards and his team to navigate these challenges as best they can. Building strong relationships with branch managers at key suppliers
“So I pulled myself together – and the FMB was a big help. We moved board meetings to Teams, and to see people’s faces on the screen, hearing their stories, reminded me we’re not alone. We’d not done anything wrong.” Collectively discussing solutions and funding support was a significant help, Wilson says, and it boosted her resilience to keep pushing forward.
Taking the lead With a decade and a half of
construction experience under his belt, Josh Richards was ready for change. So three years ago, he and his wife – juggling life with their two young children – took action and launched their own family business. Now the Director of Tecta Build Ltd in Horsham, Richards has much to be positive about. For a start, he and his team just completed a major renovation project in West Sussex. “We turned a 1960s-style house into a Scandinavian-style house, with a full wraparound garden in only 16 months,” Richards reveals. “We paid great attention to using our time efficiently and being extremely organised so we had all the subcontractors lined up one
Pam Wilson
Josh Richards
Ever wondered how fellow FMB members stay motivated when times are tough? Pam Wilson and Josh Richards share their stories
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MEMBER VOICES
communicate with your team. “I’ve always been on the front line, talking to different trades. I see it every day, the struggles they go through and I like to be engaged with them. It keeps me busy and motivates me to make the industry better because I love this industry. Sometimes I think, ‘What the bloody hell am I doing? But I really do love this industry.” Wilson’s passion for the industry means she is always looking at how to improve it. She believes there are three key areas where positive change would have the biggest impact: ● apprenticeships – the syllabus needs to change so that the practical component is more current and relevant; ● mandatory licensing – too many people do not abide by the rules and laws because they are rogue traders; and ● mental health – improving the wellbeing of construction workers is vital. “I think that the industry needs people like me who are a bit different – I’m not a tradesperson as such, but I’m there asking the questions for the trades and safeguarding the clients. It keeps me trying to do a good job.”
has helped, as they “make the materials as competitively priced as they can”. For his clients, Richards says: “Our quotes are very detailed and the breakdown for us on the materials helps keep track if there’s a sudden change in the market.” Eyes on the future Business owners know firsthand the weight of responsibility that comes with managing a company. When business is slow or times are tough, you always need to be looking to the future. Which is exactly what Richards has done. “We make plans for the business moving forwards in terms of marketing strategies, updating social media and website content – and keep believing the phone will ring with work during a quiet month. “Word of mouth is still such a powerful tool for us and having the modern platforms to back up the evidence all works together,” he says. Being focused on the future
FMB Scotland Director Gordon Nelson and Pam Wilson of Kevin Wilson Master Builders
in abundance. Recalling how Covid lockdowns in Scotland meant it was illegal to work on clients’ sites, Wilson explains that they needed to act decisively. “We started to pivot the business. We decided we’d rebrand, get a bigger workshop, make sash and case windows so we could be in control if there is another lockdown. If we can make things then we have an income.”
requires boldness and resilience – which Wilson and her husband have To weather the storms, Wilson says it is particularly valuable to MOMENTUM
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BUSINESS SUPPORT PLANNING AND RISK
W hat are the key differences between RAMS and CPPs, and how do their purposes differ in the context of small construction projects? Andy Harper, Head of Technical and CDM Support at the Building Safety Group
(BSG) Ltd: On the subject of RAMS, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer is required by law to protect their employees, and others, from harm. This includes: ● identifying what could cause injury or illness in your business (hazards);
● deciding how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how seriously (the risk); and ● eliminating the hazard, or if this isn’t possible, controlling the risk.
While not required by law, method statements are also
PROTECT THE PROJECT
Ever wondered what the difference is between a construction phase plan (CPP) and risk assessment and method statements (RAMS)? Here’s what you need to know
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PLANNING AND RISK
So what’s a construction phase plan? “Before starting any project, you need to plan the work considering the project’s scope, required resources, and timeline,” says Peter Kinselley, Associate Director, Health and Safety Consultancy at Cardinus. “This planning helps you estimate costs and allows your client to decide if the project can proceed.” Kinselley says a CPP goes beyond basic project planning, in that it: ● ensures that safety is a priority throughout the project; ● outlines how site safety will be managed and maintained; and ● ensures compliance with CDM 2015 and safeguarding everyone involved. A construction phase plan (PDF) must be prepared for a project before the construction phase begins. Kinselley explains. It must outline: ● Health and safety arrangements ● Site rules ● Specific measures concerning work involving the risks listed in Schedule 3 of the CDM 2015 Regulations “Pre-construction information and any key design information, identifying risks that need to be managed during construction work, will be helpful in planning the construction phase and drawing up the construction phase plan,” Kinselley adds. “A CPP is used to plan the project, ensuring safety is prioritised. RAMS identify hazards and implement suitable controls. Both the CPP and RAMS are essential to meet the requirements of CDM 2015.” Peter Kinselley
prepared for many other construction activities and are proven to be an effective and practical way to help plan, manage and monitor construction work. When it comes to CPPs, the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (CDM) apply to all building and construction work, regardless of the size, nature or duration of the work. It includes work carried out for domestic clients. Importantly, they are both legal requirements. At what stage of a project should a builder create a RAMS versus a CPP, and how do the two interact with each other? AH: A CPP must be drawn up before construction starts onsite. The contractor in charge of the overall construction phase or build (sometimes referred to as the Principal Contractor) is responsible for producing the CPP. RAMS must be prepared prior to the task or operation being carried out – and can be produced by others rather than the builder in charge; for example, by subcontractors for their operations and operatives. The duty of the builder is to ensure these are in place. How do the legal requirements for RAMS and CPPs differ under the UK’s Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015), and what are the compliance implications for small builders? AH: The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA) is the enabling Act for all health and safety regulations including CDM and applies to everyone at work. It sets out duties such as those that: ● employers have towards employees and members of the public; ● employees have to themselves and to each other; and
● certain self-employed have towards themselves and others.
These legal duties are enforced by the HSE and everyone is required to meet their legal duties no matter the size of the organisation or business. What common mistakes do small builders make when preparing RAMS and CPPs, and how can they ensure both are practical and effective for site safety? AH: Here are a few: ● choosing to think that all these laws (in their entirety) do not apply to small builders; ● believing that they lack the ability to prepare either sets of documents; ● lacking an overall understanding of basic health and safety requirements; and ● thinking that using or maintaining these documents is impossible. The CPPs can be very simple and preparing a suitable set of RAMS is not as hard as it seems. Many of the health and safety ‘basic’ measures are in place by tradition rather than design.
Important resources Scan the QR code for guidance on Managing health and safety in construction, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Scan the QR code for Health and Safety Executive’s requirements.
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BUSINESS SUPPORT GREEN BELT MYTHS
DEBUNKING GREEN BELT MYTHS
Discussions about building on the UK’s green belt are often emotional, but the reality is many misconceptions persist around these contentious areas
B uilding new homes is more Starmer said late last year. Many reacted strongly against this proposal, wanting to maintain the sanctity of the green belt. But how accurate are the beliefs people hold about these hallowed pieces of land? 1 The green belt is pristine land The green belt is not actually full of unspoiled, natural landscapes. It includes low-quality farmland, golf courses, and even industrial areas – spaces that could be some of the areas earmarked for the government’s grey belt, which refers to land that does not strongly contribute to green belt purposes of public enjoyment, conservation, or biodiversity. 2 The green belt exists to protect the environment The primary purpose of the green belt, introduced in the 1950s, is to stop cities from expanding and to encourage regeneration of urban areas. The green belt does support wildlife, important than safeguarding the green belt. This was what Prime Minister Keir but there is also plenty that is taken up by heavily farmed areas or overly developed land that provides little ecological benefit.
3 The UK is running out of space Green belt land covers around 13 per cent of England’s total land area. Urban development accounts for just 10 per cent. There is still land available for development and providing people with homes; however, much of the area is restricted due to green belt policies. What is needed for small builders and developers is a balanced approach that identifies areas for responsible development without unnecessarily limiting growth. 4 Building on the green belt would solve the housing crisis Building on the green belt would provide more housing but it would not on its own solve the shortage. Factors at play include: ● Planning restrictions ● Infrastructure limitations ● Affordability concerns Releasing green belt land without addressing these issues could mean homes are built in the wrong places or at the wrong prices. 5 The green belt is permanent Green belt boundaries change. Local authorities will review the land and make decisions to expand or contract the green belt in response to needs.
The false belief about the green belt’s permanence is part of the reason for people’s resistance to potential revisions. Builders should know that adjustments do happen, which provides opportunities for developments in appropriate areas. 6 Building on the green belt would ruin rural communities Far from ruining rural communities, sensible developments could be beneficial. Many rural areas suffer from declining populations, ageing demographics, and struggling local economies. Developments that sustain the local culture and character could expand the populations, create jobs, and support local services. 7 Brownfield developments will solve the crisis Just like developing green belt land won’t solve the housing crisis, building on brownfield sites can only help to ease the shortage. Remediating these sites often carry high costs, which make them less likely to be used for affordable housing. These sites also tend to be in low-demand areas compared with green belt land. Reconsidering green belt boundaries and remediating brownfield sites together will help to increase new housing stock.
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