Construction Industry Is Feeling The Cut Backs!

 

The construction industry is one of the biggest industries in the UK, and it is the second fastest growing sector in the UK. It is reported that the construction industry contributes more than £110 billion per year according to https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/UK_construction_industry

 

But this doesn’t change the fact that January saw a 10% fall in wages for the construction industry. There can be many reasons, as the last few years have severely impacted all industries. With other sectors still struggling to move past the effects of COVID-19,  means there is less money for people to build, extend or even move. Unfortunately, people still find it hard to borrow money due to their jobs not having the security they once did, or because they are no longer working the hours they did before. Mortgage lenders have tightened their belts even more than before, which has seen the decline in some areas of building. 

 

The wages drop isn’t a blanket cover for the whole industry, but it shows how volatile we are as a community and country as a whole. This is hopefully a temporary situation, one which should see a rise as the year goes on. 

 

What we have to remember is that these last years have given us many hurdles to overcome. The supply chain being one of the hardest. Without the supply, the building itself had to be postponed, and in some cases stopped. Meaning that some workers either had to have time off or find other work completely. It’s far from ideal, but we are making progress! 

 

We have also seen the energy prices rise more than ever expected, which is a great advocate for green energy and building to a higher standard, but this only works if the clients can afford the initial costs. Energy efficient homes are fantastic, they will ensure that energy bills are the lowest they could possibly be, sometimes they can even give back to the grid. But, as with anything, the initial start-up will be more costly, which is worth it in the long-run.  Unfortunately, we are living in a time where the money isn’t always there to dip into to begin the process. 

 

The vacancies in the construction industry still remain high, but this doesn’t have to be negative. We’re coming up to summer, which is where our industry really does come alive. These are all impacts from the last few years. We can’t go through something like that and expect to come out unscathed. Compared to other industries, we have done well. We still have a way to go, but we will get there. 

 

The deadline of 2050 Net Zero Carbon Emissions is looming. As an industry, we are prepared, but we need to get all our ducks in a row first. Our industry, like many others, realises on working together. If we can do that, nothing can stop us!

 

Energy Prices Are Rising!

It’s all over the news, we’ve seen the rise, but what can we do about it? 

Homes all over the country are now preparing for one of the steepest energy price rises for years. If you’re concerned about the price hike, perhaps it’s time to look at other ways of reducing your consumption. 

The easiest and most effective way to ensure your energy prices are lowered is to reduce your energy consumption. 

Air Tightness

First and foremost, you will need to locate any air leaks around your home. If you have gaps in the fabric of the building, this will allow heat to escape, pushing up your energy costs. Once you have found all the gaps, you need to make sure you have sealed them. This can be easier said than done after completion of a build. These things are often harder to fix in retrospect, but if you’re stuck, or need advice, seek out a building compliance company. They will have engineers who can assist you and point you in the right direction. 

If you’re currently building, make sure you address the air tightness at the earliest stage. If you design an air tight structure, you will automatically save on your energy consumption. 

Improve Your Insulation

This might sound like a simple solution, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Improving the insulation of your home can have a huge impact on your energy consumption and therefore your energy bills. 

Heat loss through walls, ceiling and floors can be much more than many people realise. You need to ensure that you have at the least the recommended minimum insulation, you’d be surprised at how many homes don’t even have this. Again, you can speak to an energy assessor who can advise you on what type of insulation you need, and how much you of it you should have. This will depend on many factors, such as when your property was built, what systems you have in place, the materials used, etc. 

Check to ensure your loft space is well insulated. Air escapes this way, and it can be an easy fix so you must make sure you have this right. Also, make sure that your loft hatch is fitted correctly. Any gaps will allow air to escape, which isn’t what you want when you’re trying to reduce your energy consumption. When you’re in the loft, you could also check out to see if there is a vapour barrier present. This is a great way to seal any holes in the fabric of the build and can make a huge difference. If you don’t have a vapour barrier, you might consider painting the walls using a vapour barrier paint. 

Inspect All Equipment

Make sure you have your services are up-to-date on your heating systems, this is a great and easy way to ensure they are working efficiently. A heating system that isn’t working at its highest capacity will drain your energy usage and in turn, push up your energy bills. Refer to the manufacturers guidelines, if they say you need your system serviced yearly, then have it serviced. Don’t wait. 

Use LED Lightbulbs 

Did you know that your lighting accounts for about 10% of your energy bill? So, replacing all your inefficient lightbulbs with energy saving ones can help reduce the cost of running your home. The small changes can make a big difference over time, so don’t underestimate their impact. 

Choose The Best Appliances

When you’re considering what appliances to have, choose the ones with a better energy efficiency rating. If you opt for an A+ rated washing machine, you can get more use at a cheaper cost. Collectively ensuring your appliances are as energy efficient as possible will certainly help with this energy price rise! You might not be able to afford to replace them all now, maybe one at a time. When you’re next looking for a new cooker, ensure the energy efficiency of this product is A+. 

Get An Energy Assessment

If you’ve gone through all the above and are still looking at reducing your consumption, you might consider getting a professional Energy Assessment completed. Your Energy Assessor can go over your whole property and show you where improvements can be made, and even advise you on how to make them. You will be informed of how efficient your home currently is, and what it could potentially achieve if all the changes were made. 

Changes don’t just come from fixing or not fixing your bills, they come from ensuring that your energy consumption is as low as it can possibly be! 

 

 

 

Why Do I Need a Sound Test?

 

Building compliance can be frustrating, especially when you feel bombarded by red tape and regulations. The best thing you can do is understand why you need each compliance. Knowledge is power after all. 

 

So, why do you need a sound test?

 

There's no getting out of it, you need to test sound on all new buildings and on building conversions created by a change of use.  Sound tests must comply with Part E of the building regulations in England and Wales.

Your build will need soundproofing to keep the noise out. The sound test proves that your property actually meets the regulations set out in Part E, as stated above. 

There are two different kinds of sound, tested by two different kinds of tests.

 

•          Airborne noise

•          Impact noise

 

Airborne noise: This is noise that is airborne, such as music, conversation, etc.

Impact noise: This noise is usually created against a surface, such as footsteps or banging.

Airborne noise is tested through walls and floors, and impact noise is tested through floors only.

 

One thing to note is that buildings are usually empty when tested. This makes the process much easier and affords a truer, better result. Any noise created within the building will be picked up by the meter and affect the final result of the sound test. Most builders will schedule the sound test just before a property is handed over to a client or when it's occupied. The building should be tested as soon as it's finished, since all the final finishes have been applied and the best chance of a successful result is possible. Once the property is lived in, the fabric of the building will change!

 

So, remember, to get the best results possible, you need to test before the property is occupied! You can also get help from an engineer at the design stage, way before any actual building work takes place. If we're talking about getting the best results possible, speak to an expert and work their suggestions into the design of your build. Don't forget, these people have years of experience and can tell you exactly what will work, and what won't. 

 

We can all get bogged down by the red tape, and you wouldn't be the first to wonder why you have to pass so many regulations and gain so many certifications, just to build your own home. But, trust me when I say you need to understand why we have these regulations. The more you understand, the clearer things become. 

 

These aren't here to trip us up, they're to ensure we build better and have homes that will last generations. We are, rightly, considering our planet much more and the impact we have. These regulations are designed to lower our carbon footprint, not just from the construction itself, but also the duration of the property. 

With a healthier living environment, lower energy bills, and a reduced environmental impact, what's not to love. 

 

Don't let these compliances bog you down, step up and build homes ready for the next generation.