SWOT 2014: People and politics threaten the positive mood
Housebuilder's analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats facing the housebuilding industry reveals a sector enjoying a buoyant market with much potential but which may be undermined by a lack of staff both on site and in the office. Ben Roskrow reports
Material progress
NHBC’s Technical Standards Helpline is on hand to assist the housebuilding industry with various technical queries. And these queries have taken on a particular form since the sector entered recovery mode as Paul Cribbens, NHBC’s standards manager, explains<br /><br />
Property icons
NHBC has partnered with the iProperty Company to launch a new web portal, bringing important benefits to builders. Housebuilder finds out more<br /><br />
House proud
The NHBC Pride in the Job Awards have been driving quality for nearly 35 years and the first round winners for 2014 have just been revealed. Neil Jefferson, NHBC’s business development director, discusses what has made the scheme so successful over such an extended period<br /><br />
A call for clarity on UK water standards
Terry Nash, former chairman of the UK Rainwater Harvesting Association and a director of housebuilder Gusto Group, says that water standards were under explored in the housing standards review – they need to be set locally and in such a way that they are cost effective for housebuilders<br /><br />
Products on parade
The second Housebuilder Product Awards were held at Edgbaston cricket stadium this month (July). Suzie Mayes reveals the winners and highly commended entrants<br /><br />
Three cheers for Christine Lagarde
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS, welcomes the contribution of the French md of the International Monetary Fund to the debate on UK housing supply<br /><br />
Aiming for certainty
In 2009, the AIMC4 consortium was formed to deliver low cost Code level four homes through the fabric. Suzie Mayes attended the End of Project conference to find out what the partnership learned from the experience
Zero Heroes
On the back of recent announcements about the zero carbon homes policy, Suzie Mayes visits Vista, a zero carbon homes scheme initiated by the previous government's Carbon Challenge programme. And on pages 24-25 she finds out about the learnings from another prominent low carbon project, AIMC4<br /><br />
Team building
Over the past 18 months the housebuilding industry has seen a genuine return of confidence to the sector as builders strive to meet the growing demand for new, quality homes that the country desperately needs. Ian Davis, operations director, explains how NHBC is helping to support the industry with the launch of its biggest recruitment campaign in 30 years
