All Building articles in 24 July 2009 – Page 5
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Comment
On getting a thick ear: Trinity Walk, Wakefield
This is a story about a busted developer and a contract that contained a pay-when-paid clause. The lessons that emerge from it are harsh, but it’s a good idea to learn them
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News
Who will deliver the eco-towns?
The government is breathing life into eco-towns, but the past 18 months have been profoundly discouraging for the private sector
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Comment
Damage limitation: Latent defects insurance
Latent defects insurance is a useful back-up for collateral warranties – it can ensure problems get fixed even if the contractor has gone bust
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News
London councils force developers to retrofit green technology
Two London councils are introducing a system that will force developers to retrofit green power generating capacity onto their buildings if they fail to meet agreed sustainability targets
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News
Prince and council cut social homes deal
The plan for a Prince of Wales-approved eco-settlement in Devon looks set to have its affordable housing element cut to get it off the ground
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News
One in nine companies 'are ripe for takeover'
One in nine construction companies could change ownership as a result of the recession, according to financial analyst Plimsoll
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News
Colleges may take loans for projects
Heads of further education colleges refused funding by the Learning and Skills Council after it overspent its £2.3bn budget by 150% were to meet this week to try and find alternative ways to fund schemes
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News
When I'm cleanin' windows
Kevin Sansbury was admiring the Flatiron building in New York when he spotted this chap appreciating the view. But surely it’s just as impressive from inside the building?
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News
Citywatch: Drawing a line in the sand
Architect Aukett Fitzroy Robinson was forced to make another uncomfortable disclosure to the City this week
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Comment
Burning questions
The pictures and news reports concerning the tragic fire in Lakanal House in Camberwell show how lives can suddenly be lost when fire breaks out. The owners and regulators must establish swiftly what happened and what went wrong
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Features
Part L: forcing historic buildings to be energy-efficient
In the first of a three-part series on the government’s consultation on Part L, will forcing historic buildings to adopt energy efficiency improvements, such as double glazing, do more harm than good?
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Comment
It's a builder's life
I have been in the building trade for nearly 30 years and have lost count of how many thousands of pounds I have been swindled out of by rogue customers
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News
Builder jailed for death of site employee
A builder was sentenced to three years in prison this week for the death of a 15-year-old worker
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Comment
Brewing up
This week, insights into the industry’s relationship with tea, as rustled up by housing ministers and supped by site monitors, but rejected by stereotype-defying labourers, who prefer dancing
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News
UK boss to step down as T Clarke issues profit warning
M&E contractor T Clarke has said its UK managing director will step down following a profit warning and what it called “turbulent” market conditions
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Features
No more Mr Nice Guy: cracking down on bogus self-employment
The taxman has been moaning about bogus self-employment for decades. Well, he’s not moaning anymore: he’s getting his money, or else
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News
Chief construction officer would be over OGC's 'dead body'
Plans to appoint a chief construction officer held up by opposition from the government’s own procurement body
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Comment
Electro-shock blues
What happens if an electricity company refuses to lay cables on a developer’s neighbour’s land without its consent? A lot of strife for the developer, that’s what
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News
Birmingham council to rationalise
Birmingham council is to borrow £51m to upgrade and rationalise its offices