It is quite extraordinary to think that despite the apparently universal disdain for it, the antiquated and out-moded practice of deduction of retention is still prevalent and endorsed by industry standard forms of contract. In other words part of the value of the output of almost every company in the industry is deducted at source… Continue reading Retention… your money!
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HS2: Full Speed Ahead
High Speed 2 (HS2), Britain’s single biggest infrastructure project of this millennium, cleared its final hurdle last week construction works will now begin in Spring. The project received Royal Assent on 23 February and this Act of Parliament means the nine-year programme of works will start on time. Phase One sees the route between central… Continue reading HS2: Full Speed Ahead
Changes to JCT Design and Build
JCT Design and Build Contract 2016 – What is new and how does it affect you? Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose! What has changed, nothing much! The apportionment of risk between the Employer and the Contractor remains unchanged in the unamended, standard document and as always the imposition of onerous conditions will come… Continue reading Changes to JCT Design and Build
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental issues have come to the forefront in recent years with greater awareness amongst legislators, insurers, financiers, shareholders, customers, employees and neighbours. Concern for the environment has forced the international community to look at ways of reducing the impact on the environment to ensure it is protected for future generations. An Environmental Management System (EMS)… Continue reading Environmental Management Systems
£400m City Skyscraper
Yet another skyscraper has this week been approved for development in the City of London with Brookfield Developments and Make joining forces to deliver ‘1 Leadenhall Street’, a 36-storey tower adjacent to Richie Rogers, Cheesegrater. Comprising 538,000 sq ft of high specification office space, the project will be almost identical in height to the nearby Walkie-Talkie… Continue reading £400m City Skyscraper
Infinity Project Liverpool
Plans for a £250m project to extend Liverpool’s business district further north have been submitted for approval. Dubbed the ‘triple towers’ project, the scheme – by developer Elliot Group – includes three towers ranging in height from 27 to 39 storeys. The development will formally be referred to as the Infinity Project due to the… Continue reading Infinity Project Liverpool
Manual Handling Update
The HSE has revised guidance and produced a new toolkit to help organisations manage and mitigate against the risks associated with manual handling activities. Manual handling injuries are part of a wider group of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s) which covers injury, damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues in the upper or lower limbs… Continue reading Manual Handling Update
Record Keeping – Who needs to? You do!
In the competitive construction and property market only the best managed and administered companies will perform at the top end of the range of achievable margins: record keeping is a huge part of this. An industry-wide shortcoming is the maintenance of adequate records, despite the widespread availability of highly qualified staff and advanced technological solutions.… Continue reading Record Keeping – Who needs to? You do!
Quantity Surveyors expecting difficult 2017
2016 closed with positive news for Construction in the UK as we enjoyed our largest growth in new orders according to an industry survey by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). The survey concluded that improving order intake and a rebound in business conditions generally had helped lift construction output to its highest… Continue reading Quantity Surveyors expecting difficult 2017
Payment terms – A Call to Action
Good cash flow management is critical to the success of companies in every industry. In construction, where payment is typically received long after costs are incurred however, it is vital. Poor payment practices by larger construction firms can cause real damage to those further down the supply chain and it is therefore important to understand… Continue reading Payment terms – A Call to Action