All Features articles – Page 643
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Features
Danger – slippery law
If an adjudicator makes a decision that contains an obvious mistake, then tough. It’s supposed to be a rough-and-ready system for settling disputes … But then again, surely that’s too ridiculous to be true?
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Features
Clare’s seven days as a surveyor
The jobClare spent one week and two days in the quantity surveying department at Citex. QS Melissa Martin drew up a timetable of events so that Clare would sample building surveying, project management and facilities management. The assignment also included a number of site visits. Week oneMonday I meet Melissa ...
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Features
Does the Construction Act really work?
According to a Building/CMS Cameron McKenna survey, subcontractors are grumbling about its payment system, lawyers are using it to sandbag the opposition, and almost everyone has reservations about its adjudication rules. Two years on and with a review imminent, should changes be made?
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Features
Appointments
Contractors Ballast Wiltshier chief executive Bob Heathfield has been made chairman. He has also joined the management executive committee of its Dutch parent, Ballast Nedam.William Underwood has been appointed non-executive director at Middlewich-based Pochin.HousebuilderPersimmon Homes has promoted Ian Hessay to deputy managing director in the Yorkshire region.ConsultantsConsulting engineer Donald Smith ...
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Features
Beatrice goes on site at Coin Street
The jobBeatrice spent two weeks getting to grips with all areas of contracting at Mansell’s major works division. She spent most of her time on site at an £11m residential scheme for the Coin Street Community Builders near Waterloo Station in London. David Stones, managing director of Mansell’s London Major ...
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Features
Buy now, save later
Expense is putting smaller construction firms off IT – but only if they haven’t looked at the costs of not investing. But how can they find out what’s right for them?
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Features
Career, girls?
The industry just can’t attract enough graduates. To find out why, Building asked two students to give construction a try. Will they be back for more?
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Features
Clash points
In the post-Construction-Act industry, main contractors and the firms that work for them should not be talking about clash points, but about how to work together to achieve their mutual objectives.
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Features
Clash points
Yes, of course. But let’s not get too wrapped up in our noble intentions. Common purposes presuppose common interests, and too many contractors are still looking after number one.
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Features
Materials whole-life costs
Building Performance Group’s guide to the lifespan and whole-life costs of building components tackles flexible floor coverings from PVC sheets to carpet tiles.
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Features
Services whole-life costs
The third in this series on the lifespan costs of engineering services compares three power and data installation options.
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Features
Putting E-topia on the map
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Not in E-topia, where you may be signing contracts that oblige you to deal with virtual design flaws in a not-yet-existent bridge.
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Features
The graduates
Robert Smith of Hays Montrose explains how construction firms can attract more career girls and boys.
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Features
Paul Reeder
The man credited with pulling Schal’s chestnuts out of the fire at the Royal Opera House is now its boss. So how’s he going to make sure the company’s troubles are behind it?
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Features
Whose pocket are you in?
Two recent cases have demonstrated how important impartiality is to judges, arbitrators and expert witnesses. Even a very remote connection can be enough to get them thrown off a case.
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Features
Don’t buy Beta
In the future, everyone in the building industry will use one data management system. Trouble is, no one knows which it will be. HBG’s Graham Cash hopes he’s backed the winner.
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Features
Because we’re worth it
Sharks, parasites, bloodsuckers … whatever your favourite term for lawyers, the fact is, you need us. The fees may be high, but that’s only because our skills get your buildings built when nobody else can.
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Features
Adjudication’s added value
Arguments about whether there is a contract can be more expensive to resolve than the argument about whatever the argument’s about. But adjudication is set to change all that.
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Features
Appointments
ContractorsRay Shine and Andrew Wyllie have been appointed directors of the construction division at Taylor Woodrow. David White has become finance director. Tony Bickerstaff, Roger Blundell, Neil Johnson, Tim Peach, Graham Quinion, Norman Reed and Gerald Slack have been made divisional directors. Richard Dean has been made managing director of ...
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Features
Your new best friend
A good relationship with your bank manager can prove vital for the survival of your business. Accountant Smith & Williamson looks at how to keep the bank on your side.