Category: Featured
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Caterpillar and Chinese manufacturer challenge ‘anti-dumping’ duties
The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is to reconsider its recommendation to impose a new ‘anti-dumping’ measure on imports of certain excavators from China following requests from LiuGong Group and Caterpillar. Last year, the secretary of state for business and trade imposed tariffs on excavators imported from China to the UK of up to 40% following…
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Why fall protection rentals are on the rise in construction — and what smart contractors are gaining from it
In today’s fast-moving construction environment, flexibility is king. Contractors are under pressure to keep crews safe, jobs on schedule, and budgets in check — all while navigating labor shortages, compressed timelines, and rising regulatory scrutiny. That’s why more and more construction businesses are turning to an increasingly popular solution for staying OSHA compliant without slowing…
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Trio appointed to decarbonise UK schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has appointed Mace, Aecom and construction project management firm Barker as the delivery partners for a major project to decarbonise educational settings. The project will involve the installation of solar panels, plus other measures, including a “behaviour change” programme, to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in 141 schools and…
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Building Safety Levy: draft regulations and guidance published
The draft regulations outlining how the Building Safety Levy will operate have been laid in Parliament before final approval. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also published guidance explaining how the levy will work and its exceptions. The Building Safety Levy will come into effect in autumn 2026, when developers of residential…
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The Most Magical (And Rentable) Retreat That My Best Friends Created: The Carly Tour
As you know, I took my team to the new luxury estate property in Oregon Wine Country for our last retreat in May, and as the first guests, we were blown away. Now, what you might not know is that it’s owned by one of my best friends (of 25 years), so I write today’s…
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Repairing Concrete Joints – Prep and Installation
The spalled concrete joint repair preparation and installation process when using semi-rigid or sand-modified semi-rigid repair materials is not unlike the initial joint filling process. It’s important to create clean, vertical edges at the outside of the joint repair to allow the repair material to bond to the joint walls and to clean the joint to…
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Women in leadership: construction still has work to do
Progress remains slow when it comes to creating a clear pathway for women into management and leadership in construction. The construction industry is evolving. With ongoing labour shortages, stricter compliance requirements and growing client expectations, the sector needs more capable leaders than ever before. Yet one of its greatest assets remains consistently underused: women in…
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Vote now: Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2025 finalists announced
The finalists for the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2025 have been announced, featuring a diverse and imaginative selection of garden buildings. Out of 84 entries from across the UK, 22 sheds have been chosen to compete for the title, showcasing creativity, sustainability, and practical design. The public can now vote for their favourite to…
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First-year failure: Labour builds just 62% of promised homes
As the Labour government marks its first anniversary in office, with housing remaining a central focus of its agenda. But how are Labour actually getting on with their pledge to build deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2029 and have they bitten off more than they could chew? We reveal the total number of houses…
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Think of bricking up a window? Read our guide first
There are lots of different reasons why bricking up a window might make sense when renovating a house. In some cases, it might be down to a matter of privacy, while in other instances the need to brick up a window is down to layout reconfigurations that mean natural light is no longer needed in…