Contractor features
High Speed 2: Jobs on the line
HS2 has got off to a speedy start by appointing its first-phase consultants in just three weeks. But the real wow-factor of this mega-project is that it could employ thousands of construction workers over more than two decades. Building assesses the opportunities ahead
Predictions for 2012: The year of the groundhog
So what does 2012 have in store? Well, there’s the Olympics, of course, and some potentially interesting developments in nuclear power and infrastructure. But mostly it will be a year of battening down the hatches. There will be recklessly low bids for work, some firms will go under, others will seek refuge in emerging Asian markets. Hang on, this all sounds very familiar …
Sparks fly: The row over electricians' wage agreements
The decision of seven major M&E contractors to break away from the 40-year-old JIB wage agreement was prompted by an ‘urgent need to modernise’ but has already led to angry clashes between workers and police. Building reports on a row that threatens to become the sector’s biggest industrial relations dispute in 15 years
Carillion's purchase of Eaga: Blinded by the sun
In April, Carillion bought Eaga - a company with big plans to install PV panels on 30,000 homes - and rebranded it as Carillion Energy Services. Seven months later, government feed-in tariffs have been cut in half, and all 4,500 jobs are on the line. So was the £298m purchase a catastrophic error? Building reports
Asia markets: ‘Anyone who is not looking at Asia should be’
UK firms have known about the boom in Asia for some time, but now it’s become a region they simply cannot afford to ignore. Emily Wright reports on a part of the world that will spend $440bn a year on infrastructure
Specialist contractors: Five things to ask the genie
What could help specialist contractors out of the fix they’re in? Iain Withers applies a bit of elbow grease and works up a wishlist
SMEs and bank lending: Hell to pay
Need a loan? Easy - just agree to put down a hefty whack of collateral, pay the exorbitant interest rates and meet the gobsmacking bank charges. Then sign here … (preferably in blood) … and watch your business grind to a halt. Building reports on the pacts construction SMEs are facing to get funding
The state we’re in: CEO White Paper preview
With the party conference upon us, how do industry leaders really feel about the government’s economic policies? Sarah Richardson and Will Hurst unravel the data compiled in Building’s first CEO State of the Nation White Paper
The 2011 contractors' salary guide
Frozen salaries have got many looking to change jobs, according to this year’s contractor salary survey compiled by Hays Construction. So what’s the outlook for those who have forgotten what a pay rise is? Building peers into the distance for a glimmer of hope
Electrical firms' wage agreements: Fury, mistrust and division
Electrical contractors have ditched a 40-year-old wage agreement, pitching 6,000 workers against their bosses and creating a bitter battle between the industry’s two biggest trade bodies. Can anything be done to stop unrest spreading further? Iain Withers reports
Design defects: Careful what you claim
It’s a tough claims market out there with insurers taking a strict approach to the policy wording. Contractors should think twice before they splash out to resolve a design defect
Big contractors and SMEs: It’s his pond now
Big contractors are hungry and have moved into waters normally the preserve of SMEs. What’s more, they’ve got no plans to leave, even when the more prestigious projects come back. Clients are delighted, but small firms could see yet more of their work gobbled up
Investing in training: Forward thinking
It’s tempting to cut when times get hard, but investment in training and developing new talent is vital to the industry’s future. Here’s how three major firms are offering tomorrow’s leaders the chance to learn the skills they’ll need
Will the construction strategy help or hinder SMEs?
The coalition’s construction strategy was officially launched this week. How come SMEs are worried that life is about to become much more difficult? Building reports
It is possible to help SMEs and achieve budget cuts
Big contracts and small firms poses a quandary – but there is a model that shows how it can be done
Top 150 Contractors and Housebuilders 2011
Looking at recent trading updates you’d be forgiven for thinking that the industry was on the road to recovery. But there’s a few big hurdles to jump over yet, and this will take some time. Martin Hewes’ annual league tables of the UK’s top contractors and housebuilders show exactly how far we have to go and who’s getting ahead
Afghanistan: Construction's front line
In the midst of war-torn Afghanistan dozens of construction projects continue unabated. Building reports on the unique challenges - and dangers - facing contractors at Camp Bastion in Helmand province
The construction strategy: Together at last?
The government and the construction industry. It’s been a long, love-hate affair but the new construction strategy is an offer to try to work things out
De-coding BIM
Building information modelling could be applied to save time and money on every government project within five years. But few people are using it and many don’t even know it exists. Here are seven key ways BIM will affect you and your work
Hands up if you can cut 20%
We’re all more or less signed up to the government’s target of cutting 20% off costs in the next four years (or so we say). But how we do it is still the subject of fierce debate. Building asked three construction professionals what they would do
Construction statistics: Is it really that bad ?
Government statistics suggest construction contracted 5% last quarter, but it’s hard to find anyone who believes that is true. Joey Gardiner argues the reality is actually more positive and presents alternative data to back up his case
Canada: 'Where $340bn dreams come true'
What makes Canada possibly the most attractive country in the world for contractors right now? Perhaps it’s something to do with the billions of dollars it has to spend on construction. The trick is breaking into this highly lucrative market
Constructionline survey: How public sector clients will make cuts
Public sector clients are being forced to cut costs dramatically. So how exactly are they doing it? Here are the results of a survey by Constructionline, which reveals what the industry needs to be worried about - and where the opportunities can be found
Nuclear alert: Future of £50bn new build plan
In the weeks following fukushima, the UK nuclear industry is already under review. what does this mean for the future of £50bn new build plan?
Underbidding: Warning! Highly risky manoeuvre
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and in some cases result in suicidal tendencies. As underbidding spirals further out of control, we look at how widespread the practice has become and what – if anything – can be done about it.
Contractor results: A turn up for the books
The latest City updates by contractors reveal a surprisingly healthy outlook, says Alastair Stewart. Order books are good shape and margins are rising … among the heavy weights at least
Frameworks: Make room for the small fry
The government wants to make frameworks more open to small and medium-sized firms while at the same time making big savings in public sector procurement. Here’s what the construction industry can expect
Who wants to be in social housing?
Six months on from the collapse of Rok and Connaught, their competitors are scrambling to take their places against a backdrop of cuts and jittery clients. And now the big players are looking to muscle in on the social housing market
A VAT gift to cowboys?
The government’s VAT hike to 20% this month has been met with dismay throughout construction. But while some sectors will be exempt, small builders are bound to be hit as cash-strapped homeowners turn to the black market
The perfect gift: Tax-efficient tendering
What shows your appreciation for a prospective client better than cutting £1m off a bid? Building explores the surprising savings that can be made from tax-efficient tendering
How grim is construction up North?
In the beleaguered North, public sector spending cuts are biting deeper for local contractors already defending their patch from the attentions of the big boys. Building looks at how bad it is, and asks three contractors how they’re coping
The breaking of Rok
Commentators who remained unmoved by Rok’s dizzying rise must now be feeling vindicated, says Joey Gardiner. But was the contractor a victim of its own management strategy, or brought down by market jitters?
Are contractors putting the squeeze on the supply chain?
In a disturbing trend subcontractors are being asked to reduce costs and even make upfront payments or risk being removed from main contractors’ supplier lists. Coercion or market reality?
What next for Laing O'Rourke? Britain's most secretive contractor
It’s been 10 years since Ray O’Rourke bought Laing, the grand old man of UK construction. The intensely private boss won’t talk about it, but Laing O’Rourke is regrouping after the downturn: eyeing new sectors and infrastructure mega-schemes
