Disruption can mean various things to different people, so defining it is quite tricky. However, it’s important in a construction industry context, particularly from a Contractor’s perspective, and can have substantial implications to all stakeholders party to a construction contract. What is disruption? Disruption refers to a scenario in which an organisation has experienced a… Continue reading Disruption claims in the construction industry
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A lighting specification: The commercial office environment
Part 1 of this series of articles focused on the basic principles of good lighting when developing a specification or having to make informed purchasing decisions. The first article commenced with the residential environment on the basis that most people live in their own or rented homes and so can relate to lighting and the… Continue reading A lighting specification: The commercial office environment
Installation and maintenance of fire doors: 3rd party accreditation is critical
3rd Party Accreditations and Certifications are instrumental in the control of quality on construction projects and form an important part of the quality control process in maintaining the standards of installation expected by manufacturers, suppliers, clients, and their insurers. In Passive Fire Protection, you could argue that this methodology and requirement is even more important… Continue reading Installation and maintenance of fire doors: 3rd party accreditation is critical
Retention: How and what to put in place
Retention in the UK dates back to the 1840s where it was used as security against contractor insolvency through the boom of railway expansion in the Victorian era. The rising demand for contractors was met with a growth in new business formation, which often meant that quality standards were not met, and with it the… Continue reading Retention: How and what to put in place
When is the best time to sell a development?
The whole reason for a property developer to build a housing development is to sell it. In order to maximise return on investment, it’s critical that they plan their project comprehensively, both in terms of completing the project within the optimum timeframe and by considering in advance the best time to launch and best format… Continue reading When is the best time to sell a development?
Best Endeavours vs Reasonable Endeavours
Why do so many construction disputes occur? This is a curious question and one that has been subject to scrutiny and debate over the years. There are several factors that contribute to the issue, however gaining a complete understanding of this matter is often challenging. The factors can be wide-ranging and unique, making it very… Continue reading Best Endeavours vs Reasonable Endeavours
The High Street is emptying, what can we do with it?
A Note: This article was written just before the Coronavirus outbreak in the UK, and given the government’s imposed lockdown, it’s clear that this has created further distress to the High Street. Whilst the underlying tone of this article remains the same on the back of the outbreak, the demise of High Street stores, particularly… Continue reading The High Street is emptying, what can we do with it?
Construction technology and what the changes look like between 2000 and 2020
It’s good to remind yourself where technology was in 2000. Google was only 2 years old, Mission Impossible 2 was the big movie, memory sticks were brand new and the iPod hadn’t yet been released. If you were on the go, a Sony CD Walkman was probably how you listened to music. It’s understandable that… Continue reading Construction technology and what the changes look like between 2000 and 2020
Valuing variations with a Schedule of Rates
Consider that a bill of quantities reflects the project requirements through identification of the works, as described in the specification or illustrated on the contract drawings, and complies them into a list of measurable items. By contrast, a schedule of rates is used to value the scope of works where the final nature or quantities… Continue reading Valuing variations with a Schedule of Rates
The planning system and the impact of potential delays on a project
The planning system is the framework that allows landowners and developers to legally get permission to enhance the use of their land and add value to it. Whilst a piece of land may, in principle, be appropriate to build a block of apartments upon, or several houses, without the correct planning permission in place, it… Continue reading The planning system and the impact of potential delays on a project