Features

The latest news, features, comment and analysis of the UK housebuilding market covering policy, regulation, planning, technology, new developments and products

Burning questions

May 1, 2010 Feature

The past decade has seen the timber frame industry grow. Timber can help housebuilders considerably with sustainable building and construction speed, but lately its growth has been under threat by high profile fires on timber frame sites. How is it responding? Suzie Mayes reports

Brick fast menu

May 1, 2010 Feature

Kevin Stanley steps into the traditional masonry industry and asks the sector what products housebuilders should choose for speed, efficiency and boundary pushing, whilst keeping a keen eye on updated Building Regulations

The picture of health

May 1, 2010 Feature

NHBC’s new Health and Safety Awards, have reached shortlist stage. We look at the thinking behind the awards and who is in the running to win

Family’s fortunes

May 1, 2010 Feature

Georgina Newcombe is sales director at William Davis, and part of the third generation of the family that has run this East Midlands-based business for 75 years. She talks to Ben Roskrowabout how the company is striving to cope with a market that continues to drag its feet

Development of the month - First light

May 1, 2010 Feature

The Aurora in Lanarkshire, Scotland, is a Code level four home boasting timber frame, solar panels and a ground source heat pump. But the home will never be lived in as it is a prototype. Steve Menary explores the test house by accidental pioneers Dawn Homes

The Last Word - Facing facts

April 1, 2010 Feature

Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultant PPS, argues that while the housebuilding industry has much to learn from digital communication, face to face contact is still the key

Connect & control

April 1, 2010 Feature

Housebuilders and utility companies have not always had the best relationship, the downturn adding to the common problem of delays. But Tim Palmer looks at the important role utilities now have to play in the drive to cut carbon

Building sites

April 1, 2010 Feature

Websites are the most essential tool in a housebuilder’s marketing armoury. Andrew Leech finds that they save time and money and could move sales in the right direction

the innovators

April 1, 2010 Feature

In the face of a downturn housebuilders are being asked to raise standards and meet new regulations. Thank goodness, then, for the innovators –suppliers of systems and ideas to help hit those targets

Web consultancy

April 1, 2010 Feature

With the Action Plan consultation website now live and concerns over the potential skills gap continuing to be a major concern in the industry, NHBC’s Rob Lockey offers insight into the initiative and reveals how you can be part of the industry-wide consultation