More news – Page 4311
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Features
Taking off the pounds
As the financial year-end approaches, smaller businesses should be planning to save tax
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Features
Five reasons why small is beautiful
Speed Bureaucracies can take years to implement change, but a small business can make changes in minutes. They are constantly adapting and are able to make the most of opportunities as they appear. The small business is able to react speedily to the demands of customers without battling through organisational ...
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Comment
Questions of identity
Are you thinking of turning your firm into a limited liability partnership? If so, you should be aware that the transition involves some fundamental changes …
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Comment
Sock it to 'em, RICS
The RICS has just come out with some advice for the courageous people who take on the role of adjudicator. Trouble is, it doesn't quite know what to tell them …
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FeaturesThe benchmark
It's a tough life for the Greenwich Millennium Village team: a location next to the maligned Millennium Dome, the attentions of John Prescott, and tough targets for improving construction performance. Thomas Lane finds out how well they are doing
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Features
International costs: 2002
Gardiner & Theobald’s 10th annual survey of global construction costs takes a look at building costs, labour rates, material prices and inflation rates and forecasts
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Features
The black hole
Construction firms need to base their decision-making on accurate data, but up to now information on the £25bn repair, maintenance, refurbishment and extension sector has been terribly hazy. Now a DTI-sponsored survey puts it into focus. Alan Armitage of Construction Forecasting & Research explains …
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News
Unison strikes back
Contractors claim that a government deal with Unison will push up the costs of hospital PFIs by up to 5%
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Features
Rule changes for masonry
Changes to the thermal, environmental and acoustic regulations will affect the way walls are constructed. Alex Smith examines changes in Part L and E of the Building Regulations and new European standards
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FeaturesLifetime costs: Walling and environmental efficiency
Walling is a key element of construction lifetime costs. Kathryn Bourke of BRE underlines the main implications in planning the whole service life and performance of walls – plus overleaf, BRE's new environmental profiles scheme explained
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Features
Checklist: Bricks, blocks and insulation
Solid, perforated, frogged or hollow, Peter Claridge of Davis Langdon Schumann Smith outlines the essential details on specifying bricks and blocks of all shapes and sizes, whatever the application – plus the insulation to go with them
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FeaturesProducts: New kids on the block
In this masonry special, Specifier takes a look at the latest bricks, blocks and accessories and how they are being used – including Michael Hopkins and Partners' 300 m long brick facade in Norwich and Crest Nicholson's traditionally-built housing development in Kent
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FeaturesBrick masterclass
Two offices, two brick facades – and one hell of a challenge for the architect: how to blend modern and Victorian styling into a harmonious whole. The answer was in the spec, and luckily expert subbies were there to work out how.
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NewsBioterror audit of public venues goes nationwide
Assessment of vulnerability to biological and chemical attack may call for decontamination shower units.
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News
US bankers jittery over PFI after Enron collapse
Industry fears American funders will make "subliminal" link between PFI projects and failed energy giant.
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FeaturesBioterror: the threat to Britain's landmarks
Officials throughout the UK are working out ways to protect venues such as Durham Cathedral and Wimbledon from germ and chemical attack. Here's what they're planning …
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Comment
In it up to their necks
Water companies have largely escaped liability where sewers have caused repeated flooding but from now they'll have to fix the problem or pay up
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FeaturesClear vision
Foster's clever idea was a 25 m high glass wall floating 3 m above the ground. A tall order – especially as it couldn't sway in the wind. Andy Pearson found out how Arup rose to the challenge
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News
Euro MPs may give blessing to reverse auction bidding
UK specialists fear European parliament will "license" aggressive, lowest cost tendering process.
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NewsFirms dismiss City's Railtrack fears for PFI
Mowlem and Kier have dismissed fresh claims from the City that the demise of Railtrack is threatening public–private infrastructure projects.