Opinion – Page 305
-
CommentShut your beaks
The construction industry is like a chick in its nest waiting for someone to deliver juicy new-build projects when it should be looking at the nitty-gritty of running an estate
-
-
CommentDon't kid yourself
Our Top 250 consultants league table shows the harsh realities gripping the construction sector, and there’s no sign of improvement yet
-
Comment
Train to win
Tony Bingham has been a long-time critic of the levy system so it was disappointing, but not surprising, that his recent article “Feeling a little short changed?” repeated the arguments against CITB-ConstructionSkills currently being used by the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors
-
Comment
A little less conversation
If housing minister Grant Shapps is so confident about his housebuilding incentive scheme (1 October, page 12), will he now explain why the details of how it will work have yet to see the light of day?
-
CommentOff his perch
Martin Ward, the construction director of Persimmon Homes, came across this set-up in Mauritius. He says: “There are vertical reinforcing bars below him and the cross supports are nailed to the block wall.”
-
CommentWhat house price falls might mean for future housing construction
The sharp fall in the Halifax house price index serves as a warning for those relying on rising private sector housebuilding for future growth
-
CommentRetrofit revolution reflects austere times
BRE’s Victorian Terrace Retrofit project showcases very sensible innovations that will cut carbon in existing housing stock
-
CommentWhat Cameron didn't say in his speech
The prime minister’s party conference speech was light on detail, but then he’s saving all that for another date in October…
-
CommentThe first of many BSF legal challenges?
While councils may be minded to claim back wasted costs, private sector players are just focused on not making a bad situation worse
-
CommentWhat you need to know about the Equality Act
Measures that came into force on 1 October will take some construction employers by surprise, here’s why…
-
CommentClaiming liquidated damages: Azimut-Benetti vs Darrell Marcus Healey
This row about a €38m yacht has some interesting lessons for parties entering into construction contracts too…
-
CommentGeorge Osborne's got good and bad news
The chancellor raised a laugh at conference today, but when it comes to cuts he’s deadly serious
-
CommentZaha's big night
She’s waited a long time for it, and on Saturday night Zaha Hadid finally gave her acceptance speech for the Stirling Prize
-
CommentSacred cow burgers
Whatever you think of the coalition, it’s pretty clear it needs help. Luckily construction is in a great position to provide it, but it needs to slaughter a few horned beasties first
-
CommentHello, Ed …
Ed Miliband took to the Labour party conference stage this week and declared himself firmly on your side. “You see, when you cancel thousands of new school buildings at a stroke, it isn’t just bad for our kids, it’s bad for construction companies at a time when their order books ...
-
CommentWonders & blunders
Baritone Sir Thomas Allen sings the praises of Kent’s maritime history but reckons Putney Wharf sends the Thames skyline distinctly off-key
-
CommentHansom: Everything in its place
Sticklers for detail are thick on the ground this week: billionaire property owners insisting their wires are not crossed, the company that won’t be called a contractor and a ferocious fight for a full stop
-
CommentWhat the pooping man told us
Engineers’ wizardry is beyond question, but they still suffer from a cultural cringe when it comes to the question of creativity. Luckily, Chris Wise met someone who explained the whole thing