More Comment – Page 371
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Comment
VAT on design and build: Vatman returns
When the HMRC threatened to charge VAT on design fees in design and build contracts it put the viability of many schemes at risk. Now it seems to have had a change of heart
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CommentProcurement: Design in the dumps
‘Design and dump’ procurement wastes contractors’ skills, distorts the market and pushes up costs for the client, says Steve Hale. But change is on the way
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Comment
Inbox: Public enemy number one
This week, readers discuss the funding problems with affordable housing, our inability to deliver projects on time and on budget without PFI, and the place of academia in our industry
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CommentThe case for skyscrapers: Scaling new heights
The 9/11 attacks made us nervous about erecting tall buildings but actually we need them more than ever - after all, they offer a more sustainable solution than urban sprawl
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CommentIs the planning system for homes getting worse?
The reported drop in planning permissions may seem like bad news, but be careful how you interpret these statistics
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CommentDispute resolution: Multiple choice
If you have a construction dispute your biggest problem isn’t the other party - it’s deciding which dispute resolution option to go for
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CommentMy digital life: Mark Clinton
Stalking his kids on Facebook and beating his wife at Bejewelled
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CommentHansom: Bon appetit
On the menu this August we have tasteful art shows, oh-so-sweet cricket matches and an example of over-healthy team bonding, all washed down with a few pints of beer and a cheeky little red
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CommentUK aggregates markets: Fault lines
The UK aggregates, cement and concrete market is creaking under pressure, as regulatory inquiries intensify. Is dominance by the five major players damaging competition or are there other factors causing cracks in the system? Building reports
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CommentRules and regulations: Getting caught out
Inquiries into bidding processes have a time limit. Fair play, right? Not if you get held up in the rules and regulations
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Insolvency: When is it official?
Insolvency is something we are seeing a lot of at the moment but most contracts don’t deal with the void between being insolvent and being declared insolvent
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Inbox: pointing the finger
It’s a matter of accountability this week, as readers blame the ONS for overestimating and distorting statistics, columnists for failing to give the full story, and arsonists - not timber - for being a fire risk
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CommentRocky financial markets: Tread carefully
The turbulence of the financial markets will rock construction when what it most needs is stability - but with sovereign debt crises in Europe and the US, how likely is that?
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CommentAn unfair fight
This week we’re looking at contracts - subbies being squeezed and public private partnerships
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CommentWonders and Blunders with Ann Gray
Ann Gray compares two very similar buidings this week - with very different conclusions. The Disney concert hall in LA makes her heart sing but there’s more than one bum note in Seattle
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CommentSkills crisis: Train to win
With a maturing workforce and negative perception among young people, the industry is facing a future skills crisis. We must act now to stop this time bomb
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CommentFeel the burn
If this worker was pushing the car, perhaps this much effort would be justified. But a lamp? He’s not going to win the World’s Strongest Man competition like this. Thanks to David King for the photo
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CommentPlant hire prices remain flat and subdued
Construction forecasts suggest hire firms will struggle in months to come
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CommentConstruction Act changes: Are you ready?
What you need to know about payment notices to avoid falling foul of the new act