Opinion – Page 414
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CommentWho will be the champion?
The most important proposal in the Construction Matters report is that construction should have a champion in government. Sir Michael Latham sets out a job description
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CommentLetter of intent
The CaseThe Defendant wished to have refurbishment and regeneration works carried out to a number of houses and flats on the Clapham Park Estate. The Claimant tendered for these works and a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) was sent to the Claimant in June 2007 recording the Defendant’s intention to enter ...
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CommentThrow us a lifeline, not more red tape
Small construction businesses are one of the few sectors that can save the economy from sinking without trace. So why, asks Colin Harding, is HM Revenue and Customs doing its utmost to make sure they go down with the ship?
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CommentHow to get money out of a bank
Instead of waiting for the downturn to end before trying to secure finance, you can steal a march on the competition by acting now.
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CommentBuilding goes sailing … with Franklin + Andrews
It’s nine in the morning on the Isle of Wight but, technically, we begin this “Building Buys a Pint” halfway through the drinking session.
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CommentMy digital life — Chris Millington
Analyst Chris Millington works from dawn till dusk, and takes his Blackberry with him to the beach. Even his little leisure time is full of drive (Wii Tiger Woods’ golf drive, that is)
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CommentHansom — Good sports
The country is in sporting mood, and the construction industry is no exception, cycling, diving and sailing the summer away. Oh, and rescuing some cute little kittens. Aww …
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The long road to a quick fix
I agree with a lot of David Lock’s article on eco-towns (25 June, page 54).
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CommentCopper vs plastic: round two
With reference to the Durapipe UK letter (25 July, page 30), copper continues to be the dominant plumbing material in the UK because of its reliability and durability and the fact that it can be used for all building services pipework.
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Comment
I want to be a lawn
When it comes to green roofs, there are two points that are often understated. First, microclimate and second, the protection to the material elements of a building.
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Lending support
While my interests are different to those of David Strong (20 June, page 43), I am glad to lend my support to his criticisms of the current unsatisfactory state of “building control” in England and Wales.
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Time for a change
Clause nine of the CDM regulations obliges the client to ensure that the project is allocated sufficient time.
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CommentHoliday on death row
As those of you involved in running a construction firm will know, it’s never easy to enjoy your summer vacation untroubled by thoughts of what’s going on back in the office.
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It's time to get to know inflation again
For both consumers and construction firms inflation is becoming a real factor once again and maybe it is time to give much more consideration to how to deal with it.I was brought up with inflation. I recall being told time and again by my parents how few pennies things cost ...
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Comment
Are we seeing the bottom of the housing market collapse? Probably not
The broad message coming out of the latest housing market survey from the surveyors' body RICS is that transactions may be stabilising but prices still are falling and have a way to fall yet.The interview with RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn on Radio 4's Today programme suggested that sellers are ...
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CommentA step in the right direction
To help ensure a contractor gets paid for a project, it can ask a bank to step in to remedy a situation before it terminates. The pitfalls are many – but so are the benefits
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CommentI admit it all! I’m a conservative!
But when you compare the glories of traditional architecture to the stuff we build now, it’s hard not to be, says Michael Gove, our man in the bicycle clips with the neatly knotted tie
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Let it shine
Tom Lane’s article “How Viñoly’s Colchester arts facility lost its shine” (25 July, page 24), requires clarification on a number of points.
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CommentBridget Jones’ diatribe
The pressure to conform causes singleton Tarek Merlin untold grief at his friends’ dinner parties. It also happens to be the single greatest blight on the built environment