More Focus – Page 538
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Here’s the gain plan
Planning gain, perhaps unfairly, is often linked with slightly dodgy negotiations in smoke-filled rooms. This, however, would be a thing of the past if this new proportional system is adopted.
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The essential tool
A specification-writer’s job is never done. The document he or she produces should be kept close at hand throughout the construction process. Proceed without it at your peril.
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Just the job
Phil Clark meets the chairman of CALdes, the firm that’s integrating design, surveying and 21st-century technology.
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Appointments
ContractorsAlan Hollingworth has joined M&E firm Dudley Bower Building Services as divisional manager for the Loughborough, Leicester and Grantham offices. Peter Mason has been promoted to regional design-and-build director for EBC Construction’s Southern region.Taylor Woodrow has appointed Norman Broadhurst non-executive director.HousebuilderWestbury Homes has appointed Steve Cartwright building director.ConsultantsSue Ollerton ...
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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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200-mile-high club
An orbital hotel sounds like science fiction, but it might soon be construction fact. If one international design firm has its way, you could be checking in to space in less than 20 years.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The graduates
Robert Smith of Hays Montrose explains how construction firms can attract more career girls and boys.
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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 ...