Comment – Housing benefits politicians

Brian Berry of FMB looks at the political manoeuvrings on housing as we approach the General Election buildup Looking back at my article from this time last year, it’s astonishing how far we’ve come, and what has changed. At this... View Article

How to futureproof homes’ heating

Darren Trivett of OMNIE and the Ridgspear Group counters the tabloid headlines and considers the key factors developers should address when specifying underfloor heating systems for energy efficiency on their projects.  It is unlikely you will get through a news... View Article

Is housing going downhill fast?

Brian Berry, CEO of the FMB looks at the prognosis for SMEs in a sector in crisis, and how its new guide could help All the data, including our own at the FMB, seems to be suggesting the housing market... View Article

Housebuilding is still a struggle

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), discusses the latest data from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey and finds few reasons to cheer As you will be aware, for too long we have not been building... View Article

The brave new world of low carbon retrofit

A large-scale retrofit project to bring energy efficiency of social housing across Northumberland and County Durham up to a C rating saw a housing association deploying robots to upgrade homes with minimal disruption. James Parker reports. The Socal Housing Decarbonisation... View Article

Shaping the future of buildings & decarbonisation

Installer SHOW – the UK’s largest event for influential installers and specifiers of heat, water, air and energy technology – will discover one of the biggest challenges on the road to net zero, the tools and solutions for decarbonising buildings. ... View Article

Opening up the black box on Part F and ventilation

Following the changes to Part F and Part L of the Building Regulations, housebuilders have been set the challenge of balancing carbon emissions with sufficient airflow to keep homes healthy. The importance of ventilation to health and wellbeing has been... View Article

Make a sharp exit

If a particular development isn’t proceeding as planned, a developer exit loan could get you back on track. Roma Finance’s Steve Smith explains what the loans entail and how they could help you. Whether you’re a first-time developer or highly... View Article

The changing face of roofing

Stephen Makin of Mayan Roofing Systems discusses the changes at the forefront of roofing development which are helping specifiers drive building performance Despite advancements in technology and construction materials, the methods and practices of pitched roofing have remained relatively unchanged... View Article

The Climate Challenge: Taking cement ‘2 Zero’

Will Lavelle of Atkins and Dr Philippa Horton from University of Cambridge discuss the world’s first zero emissions cement trial and the aim of developing net-zero cement for the construction industry. The decarbonisation of the built environment presents a phenomenal... View Article

Comment: Budget concerns

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), gives his review of a disappointing spring Budget The first few months of 2023 have been a relatively quiet period politically, far from the ups and downs of last year,... View Article

Going the extra mile for retirement living

Creating suitable new retirement homes offering the ‘extras’ has never been more essential, says McCarthy Stone, who spoke to Housebuilder & Developer’s Roseanne Field about a high-profile recent example in the West Midlands. There’s little need to reiterate the fact... View Article

The need for new support in 2023

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), discusses what the Government needs to do to deliver new homes plus extra support for SMEs this year. We closed out 2022 with a very shaky end to proceedings, with... View Article

Ask the Manufacturer: The future of heating

Russell Dean, residential product group director at Mitsubishi Electric, speaks to Housebuilder & Developer’s Jack Wooler on the Government’s net zero target – exploring the challenges in reaching it, and arguing why heat pumps are the future. Most housebuilders now... View Article

Slip into 2023 in style

Jemma Ison of Keystone Group (who also supports technical specification for IG Masonry Support) explains how brick slip products can bring sustainability and style to building projects both large and small Innovative construction techniques are an enabler to a more... View Article

Back to the 
Futurebuild for net zero

Futurebuild (ExCel London March 7 – 9) is doubling down on its sustainability goals with a promise to bring inspiring ideas on how the industry can reach net zero, with “innovative solutions and knowledge sharing” Now in its 17th year,... View Article