Challenges in Carpentry & Construction
The construction Industry seems to be in an endless battle of ensuring the client is satisfied and battling external challenges that occur throughout a project. 2021 has definitely thrown a lot of challenges at the construction industry. Let's take a look at them;
1.There's a Labour Shortage.
The construction industry in the UK has long relied on skilled workers from overseas. However, over the past year, contractors have reported losing up to 50% of their workforce. Why? The pandemic saw many skilled workers return to their families in foreign countries for fear of being separated for long periods. Then, of course, there are the consequences of Brexit, which saw many decide to return to their home countries.
2. There's a Material Shortage.
Not only is there a labour shortage, but there's a material shortage too. Raw materials are in short supply everywhere, not just in the UK. There are a few external factors that have contributed to it. Firstly, global demand, in general, is high. Secondly, thanks to Covid, there have been many factory closures, and production has slowed down considerably. This is true of particular products such as insulation, paints, adhesives and packaging.
3. There's an Increase in Price.
The shortage in raw materials has caused prices to increase at an alarming rate. Lengthening lead times and an increase in demand has seen some products rocket in price by 250%. There's certainly never been another year quite like it for soaring costs.
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The second staircase guidance and how it impacts you
While the country was enjoying a bank holiday for Good Friday, the government published technical guidance on the second staircase rule at long last. This had been months in the making and now housebuilders have a definitive answer, it is set to make their lives a lot easier. But what exactly is the guidance and why is it so important? In this article, we will explain what the guidance is and how it can affect you moving forwards. What is the guidance? Back in December 2022, the government revealed that all new residential buildings over 30 metres would need two staircases, however, this was protested by a number of industry bodies. The reasons for the protestations revolved around safety. As such, the government sat down with them and agreed that the height should be lowered. In July 2023, the government knocked 12 metres off the height, so now any residential building with a height of over 18 metres will need two staircases. With that agreed, the government stated in October 2023 that there would be a 30-month transition period from the approved document's release date. On March 28, the approved document was released, meaning that the guidance will kick in at the start of October 2026. From this date, it will be compulsory for new buildings over 18 metres being built to have two staircases. How will the transition period impact me? During this time, any new applications for buildings over 18 metres can either follow the old guidance, or choose to follow the new one. The existing guidance states that a building of over 18 metres can just have a single staircase, but there is a reason why the second staircase guidance is being brought into effect. Ultimately though, the choice is to get ahead of the curve before October 2026 or to just have a single staircase like normal. Does a second staircase guarantee safety? This is where there is some conjecture, as while on the face of it the answer is yes, the deeper answer is a bit more nuanced. While the guidance insists on two staircases for buildings over 18 metres, it doesn’t say anything about having evacuation lifts or a second fire-fighting shaft as compulsory. It does state that in the event of an evacuation lift being fit, then they should be provided in an evacuation shaft, which will come with an evacuation lift lobby and a protected stair, but that’s it. This has angered some bodies, who believe that while this is just a minimum requirement, the guidance doesn’t go far enough in keeping people safe. Clearing up the news New regulations can throw people off kilter as it can change how they work, but as a result of reading this, you will hopefully be aware of the impact of the guidance. If you would like to get in contact with us to discuss it further, you can find out how to contact us by clicking this link.
The construction industry is struggling, but are things getting better?
It’s no secret that things in the construction industry at this moment in time are not in the best of health. There’s hardship everywhere you look and unfortunately, it’s a very difficult time for many. At some point, there will be a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, but the question on the lips of many is when is that light going to start to become brighter? In this article, we will look at the current state of the construction industry and analyse where potential shoots of positivity could come from in the remainder of the year. What’s actually happening at present? The picture is a somewhat bleak one, with construction companies folding at the highest rate in a decade, according to the Financial Times. According to the government’s Insolvency Service, 4,280 companies in construction went under between June 2022 and 2023, which was 16.5% more than the previous year. The picture didn’t improve for the rest of 2023, with it being reported by insolvency practitioner Begbies Traynor in January 2024 that 7,849 firms were at risk of collapse. That report from Begbies Traynor also highlighted that construction was the number one industry under significant financial distress. Is there any positivity on the horizon? The good news is yes, although it may still be a harsh ride until the end of the year. Currie & Brown have recently published their April 2004 UK construction market outlook and there are positive signs ahead. They are forecasting that there should be an increase in construction activity, although there is a risk this “could strain the current limited labour and contracting resources.” As such, they are hoping for a more staggered approach instead of “a synchronised rush where everyone pursues projects simultaneously.” In addition, they believe that despite the slowdown, there is ample long-term demand and they feel that companies who can position themselves strategically will be best placed to deal with the spike. The upturn isn’t just predicted by Currie & Brown, either. S&P Global believes that a painful six month period of decline is now over, as March 2024 saw the strongest increase in new orders since May 2023. This is especially encouraging as it has shown that a period of growth is coming to the construction industry, which is really important. The Glenigan Index isn’t quite as optimistic in the short-term, but does believe non-residential construction is showing signs of life, which is good. Reasons to be hopeful The Currie & Brown report is certainly a ray of sunshine amidst an otherwise cloudy backdrop and a much-needed one at that. Naturally, there is still a long way to go, as per the Glenigan Index, but the S&P Global insight was especially positive. As outlined in this article, we understand that things are very tough for everyone at present – whether you’re a small firm or a nationwide giant. If you have any concerns that we may be able to help with, feel free to get in touch with us. You can do so here.
How a speedy supplier can improve your supply chain
The famous saying “slow and steady wins the race” certainly is true in some aspects and when it comes to a project, you can’t rush quality. However, it doesn’t always apply. This is especially the case when you need service from your supplier quickly – be it getting a quote, making an order or receiving a delivery. In this article, we will explain just why speed from your supplier matters and how it can make your life a whole lot easier. More time to prioritise the things that matter With a speedy supplier, everything falls into place much easier. You aren’t spending your day waiting around for a quote, you aren’t falling behind schedule because your deliveries are late and you can order what you need within seconds. This allows you time to solve other issues and to focus on the things that really matter on your projects, whatever they may be. Irrespective of what project you’re working on, being efficient helps significantly and if you can find a way to ensure that with your supplier, it all helps. Speaking of help, what can Multifix do when it comes to speed? Speed is one of the things prioritise so much at Multifix – and especially prioritising it while not compromising on our reliability or quality of service as a result. For example, we’ve worked especially hard to be in a position where we can guarantee that you’ll have a quote back within half an hour. In addition, should you be on our customer portal, it’s possible to make an order within 30 seconds. Everything on the portal is aimed at your convenience and that includes speed. As for deliveries, 75% of our deliveries are on-site before 12pm midday. In some cases, we’ve been able to have goods ready before site work even starts. When it comes to making your life easier, these are things we’ve found really help. Rapid resolutions We know how much speed can make an impact on your lives and your work projects, so that is one that will always remain one of our core customer values. One aspect of our speedy service is our delivery though, which we are delighted to say has a 99.3% success rate. To find out exactly where we deliver to, click here.
Comparing two of the best PFP solutions for loft compartmentalisation issues
Picking passive fire protection products when fitting a loft is a big decision. The need for it is enormous, given that without it, the loft is left open above the party walls. This means that a fire could tear through the loft, so compartmentalisation is necessary. However, picking the right solution can be difficult. In the main though, there are two main PFP solutions for loft compartmentalisation issues. They are the Protecta 80mm FR board (or 80mm batt) loft space system and either the Rockwool or Firefly fire curtains and in this article, we will compare both. We will be honest and admit that we do stock the 80mm FR board, but we will still provide a balanced and objective comparison between all three products. By the end of the article, you’ll know the differences between the batt and the fire curtains and which one will be better for your project. What are the main differences between the batt and the fire curtains? The key difference to note is that both the Firefly and Rockwool fire curtains are two layers, whereas the 80mm bat is just one layer. However, both still have the EI60 fire-resistance classification rating, which means they can hold off fire for a minimum 60 minutes. The feel of both is very different, too. The fire curtain is an insulation-like material, while the 80mm bat is more of a board. Other than that, there’s not a great deal of difference between the products, although both have different pros and cons, which we’ll come on to. There’s also not a lot of difference cost-wise, so your choice will be based on what system is best for the situation at hand. Pros of the 80mm batt One of the biggest pros of the 80mm batt is the speed of installation. It is estimated that the time to install an 80mm batt is 25% faster than other types of products, which can help you save on labour costs. This is because there is only one layer to install as opposed to two, but you still get the EI60 fire rating with the one layer. It’s also more pleasant to work with, in the sense it isn’t itchy and is quite easy to get into a loft space. Also, loft compartmentalisation is a tested detail on the bat, which is something of an industry exclusive. For those unaware, a tested detail means that the product has specifically undergone testing for that scenario. An assessment detail is something that has been given afterwards but isn’t specifically for the task at hand. Pros of the fire curtains Both Firefly and Rockwool are big industry names, so you’re getting a trusted brand. The Firefly fire curtain is seen as the industry standard, while Rockwool’s name is synonymous with quality. The fire curtains are also very lightweight and both also have the EI60 fire rating, which matches the 80mm batt. They can also be integrated with fire alarms, which means they are only activated whenever a fire is detected. A barrier will then be made between the fire and the free space. Another pro of the fire curtains is that they are very adaptable, in that they can be cut-to-fit on-site to certain size requirements. This can be particularly useful if they need to be installed on a property with an unusual design. Cons of the 80mm batt While it’s worth noting that both the batt and the curtains have very few flaws, there are a few prominent ones for each that could sway your decision. The main one for the 80mm batt is that it hasn’t been tested with doors in it, which could be an issue if there’s a fire door present. In this situation, the batt can still be fitted, but the installer would need to fire-certify the door first. If time is of the essence, then this could be problematic. Cons of the fire curtains As for the fire curtains, the main cons come for those who are handling them. Like all insulation material, they are rather itchy if they encounter your skin and they are also difficult to physically carry. While the curtains themselves are rather lightweight, the massive rolls they come with are not. Bringing these into a loft space can be challenging for those lifting them. Finally, as the fire curtain is two layers, it takes longer to install compared to the batt. Both have the same EI60 rating, but one is much faster to install than the other. Choosing between the batt and the fire curtains Both are very good products in their own right and most importantly, both will get the job done of protecting those living with it installed. If you are installing in a loft that has a rather unique design or has a fire door, then the fire curtains will be the best choice. Your workers may have issues lugging the curtain into the loft space and getting itchy skin, but the result is hugely impressive. However, if you’re in a normal setting, where there are no unusual characteristics to the building framework, then you can go down a different route. That different route can save some time, while also ensuring the same level of fire safety is intact. As such, in those circumstances, the 80mm batt is a great option. It could also save you in labour costs, as you could install more at a faster rate, helping you speed up a project without compromising on safety. The Protecta 80mm batt is still a relatively new product on the market, so if you would like to speak to our expert team for more information, you can do so here.