Opinion – Page 252
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Comment
Improving existing housing stock first
There’s an irrational emphasis on improving energy efficiency of new-builds
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Comment
Stick with BREEAM for schools
The Department for Education appears to be in danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water
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CommentHansom: All's fair in love and war
This week, architects strike back at the Olympic marketing rules, the Queen’s Speech is yet another repeat, One World Trade Center comes up short and Eros gets a little tlc
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CommentDisputes before payment date
Here’s a recent dispute over payment that was deemed to have crystallised even though the payment date had not been reached
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CommentWhich consultants will thrive?
Simon Rawlinson on the opportunities and challenges facing quantity surveyors and engineers and why the middle man may get squeezed out
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CommentConstruction employment falls despite growth in self employment
Figures suggest firms are not that comfortable with hiring at the moment
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CommentWhy self build is no panacea
Housing minister Grant Shapps is focused on boosting the small self-build sector. These images from a much-heralded Dutch self-build scheme make it clear it won’t be plain sailing, argues David Birkbeck
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CommentWhatever the revisions to the official figures, they point to a tough time for construction
Brian Green says we shouldn’t read too much into the ONS’ downward revision of Q1 construction output - but that’s no cause for comfort
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CommentHow the official statistics for construction output compare with the trade surveys
Brian Green picks through the latest non-ONS construction industry data and finds some lessons
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CommentYou were warned
The double-dip is upon us so what can government, and companies themselves, do to help in this hour of need?
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CommentQuantity Surveyors: A must-have accessory
At long last, it looks like the humble quantity surveyor is being recognised in the global market and is on everyone’s shopping list, writes Richard Steer
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CommentA chance for the industry to re-engage
With the economy falling back into recession engaging with government at the upcoming Government Construction Summit is more important than ever, writes John Frankiewicz
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CommentHansom: Capital gains
The pricey apartments at the Shard have many USPs, but are transport links really the clincher? Meanwhile Sweett is sour over lifts and work of a kind begins at Blackfriars One, but don’t get too excited
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CommentMy digital life … with Andrew Pyke
You’re more likely to get an email rather than a phone call from this sporty design director and that’s not his only bad digital habit
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CommentWhen your ‘best’ is put to the test
Best endeavours clauses sound fair enough until the contractor finds that sticking to them could leave it out of pocket
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CommentReading regs the riot act
Over-regulation and vested interests could be banished to the past if plans for a review panel of experts and consumer labelling get the go-ahead, says Ben Derbyshire
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Comment
Scrapping tax is an improvement
I for one am very relieved that the government appears to be doing a swift U-turn on the introduction of the “conservatory tax”.
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Comment
Are they really keen on green?
We need clarity on precisely how the assessors, providers and installers will work together to deliver the Green Deal.
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Comment
Bring suppliers into the BIM fold
Product suppliers need to create the libraries of information that are needed for the final BIM model