Category: Featured
-
Butcher Block Countertops | Pros, Cons, and Maintenance
(Above) Kate and Daniel’s narrow galley kitchen with dark cabinets, white subway tile walls, and long butcher block countertops The difference between butcher block and wide plank wood countertops is how each surface uses lumber to build the slab. Butcher block is composed of many narrow strips of solid wood that are glued together with…
-
AI controls cut energy waste from Portakabins by 87%
AI can help reduce wasted energy in Portakabins by up to 87%, according to a study carried out by the portable buildings specialist. Portakabin teamed up with Aireavu, which uses AI to monitor and improve building performance, to explore how its modular buildings can be more energy-efficient. Energy wastage from modular structures can be as…
-
Choosing the Right Digital Form Builder for Construction Teams
In the modern construction environment, moving away from paper forms and toward digital data capture is essential. However, with numerous form builder software solutions available, construction professionals require a strategic approach to evaluate which tools will effectively meet the demands of the jobsite. This article outlines key criteria that contractors and field operators should use…
-
Autumn budget: ‘bolder measures’ needed on construction skills
The autumn budget has been met with both relief and concern across the construction industry. Although funding announced for SMEs training apprentices under 25 has been welcomed, many construction leaders worry that the chancellor’s measures do not go far enough to address urgent skills challenges. Below are reactions from some of the industry’s key stakeholders.…
-
McLaren to build UK’s largest timber-frame office in London
Josh Lawrence, chief executive of Global Holdings Management Group UK, said: “We are delighted to be working with McLaren to deliver Xylo – a game-changing project and significant milestone for our industry. Xylo is going to be the perfect building for companies that are leaders in their fields, showcasing the most environmentally friendly technologies in…
-
How to Prevent Fastener Failure
Fasteners are fundamental to the construction industry. They hold everything together, from the foundation to the roof. But loose fasteners can fail, and when they do, it can have serious safety implications and lead to costly repairs. Fastener failure can occur in a variety of ways. For example, bolts and screws can loosen due to…
-
‘Rising costs remain a major concern’: industry reacts to the budget
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. Image: Gov.uk The chancellor yesterday (26 November) set out her spending plans in the autumn budget. For the construction industry, it was a mixed bag of partial wins and major gaps – although Rachel Reeves emphasised the importance of infrastructure projects for the country’s economy, the scale of the…
-
Autumn budget: CIOB warns of challenges faced by SMEs
“As a sector made primarily of SMEs (more than 99% of the UK construction industry are SMEs), many companies are already struggling with rising costs and a dwindling workforce,” said Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, research and external affairs at CIOB. View the original article and our Inspiration here
-
ADP: Construction Employment Grows Faster Than U.S. Average, Skilled Trades See Younger Workforce
Construction employment has grown by 13% since January 2020, more than double the 6% growth seen across all U.S. jobs, according to ADP Research’s latest Today at Work 2025 report. The study, which tracks trends in demand, pay and demographics for the skilled building trades, also shows notable changes in wages and workforce composition. Despite…
-
BOXT boiler installation review – how fast is the service?
You can trust Homebuilding & Renovating. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and materials in order to help you choose the best for your home and garden. Find out more about how we test. There’s no doubt that winter is the worst possible time for your boiler to break down. When the…