Professional Builder – Details, episodes & analysis

In this month’s episode of the Professional Builder Podcast, we’re continuing our series on energy efficiency and the Future Homes Standard. This time we’re talking to Dr. Richard Jack, Technical Director at Build Test Solutions. Listen on to find out how measured energy performance can help tradespeople improve the UK’s housing stock and save big on homeowner energy bills.

As an important part of British construction and British culture in general, it seems odd that there’s not really been much in the way of events celebrating bricklaying. It’s a trade that requires a lot of skill (and a very long time) to master. Three bricklayers that clearly thought the same are Ashley Francis, Joe Short and Jack Dawson, the founders of Super Trowel. 

Now in its second year, the competition and exhibition, that looks to find the country’s best bricklayer, is back and bigger than before with the final taking place on August 8th in the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. Contestants will be judged on speed and precision as they tackle a 9-metre-long wall. There’s an eye watering first place prize totalling over £15,000 up for grabs. Take a listen as we chat to Ash, Joe and Jack about Super Trowel and all things bricklaying. Make sure you grab your tickets while you still can and may the best bricklayer win!

The heat pump is a renewable energy technology that has long been identified as having real potential in decarbonising our housing stock. At the same time – with the right skillset – installers can capitalise on an increased public appetite with what is set to become a growing and lucrative business opportunity. We talk to Grant UK Technical Design Manager, Stuart McWhinnie about what the air source heat pump manufacturer is doing to help tradespeople get involved. Stuart provides an overview of the systems themselves, the training on offer and the Grant UK range.

For further information on Grant UK visit https://www.grantuk.com/

Tool theft and vehicle crime is on the rise and, if a builder falls victim to unscrupulous thieves, the impact can be devastating. Van Watch is a worthy initiative that has ambitions to reduce the number of offences perpetrated against hard working tradespeople. This industry coalition is supported by some of the sector’s biggest names, and is offering practical help and advice, as well as lobbying government to take the issue more seriously. We talk to Van Watch Chair, Ray Stafford about the campaign, whilst we also hear from ordinary builders about their all-too familiar experiences of tool theft and vehicle break-ins.

For further information on Van Watch visit www.vanwatch.org.uk

The Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) prides itself on being close to its customers and that makes the business uniquely placed to identify the challenges that tradespeople face.

In this episode of Professional Builder’s podcast we talk to IBMG CEO, Martin Stables about current trends in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector and what local builders are doing to maintain a healthy pipeline of projects. The organisation has also undertaken some fascinating research on workloads and the types of jobs that small and medium sized construction companies are taking on.

For further information on the Independent Builders’ Merchant Group (IBMG) visit Independent Builders Merchant Group – IBMG (independentbm.com)

In addition, this episode previews the July/August edition of Professional Builder magazine, which is available from the trade counters of over 2,500 builders’ merchant outlets nationwide, online at www.probuildermag.co.uk and via email.

Many tradespeople may well be thinking of taking on an apprentice – or would like to. There is, however, a perception that the process is time consuming and complicated, especially for a small business owner.

We speak to Ruth Scarrott, NFRC Head of Careers, who offers some useful help and advice on taking on and retaining apprentices.

If you’re an employer that’s looking for further support, the following links would be useful.

National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) https://www.nfrc.co.uk/careers/employers/recruiting

CITB New Entrant Team - newentrant.team@citb.co.uk 

CITB Apprentice Support - https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/citb-apprenticeships/take-on-an-apprentice/ 

Gov.UK Apprenticeship Guidance - https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers 

An average of two construction workers are taking their own lives every day and 20% of recorded absences in the sector are due to stress, anxiety & depression.

In this episode of The Professional Builder Podcast, host Lee Jones talks to Bill Hill, Chief Executive of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, to discuss mental health issues.

Bill talks through some of the reasons the mental health problem is prevalent in the construction sector, shares some sobering stats around suicide and offers some advice and support on how to tackle the issue.

Also in this episode, news and data from The Builders Merchant Federation, Alliance Fund and market research company Eureka!

Thanks to our episode sponsor Steel Blue who provide some guidance on selecting the right safety footwear on site. You can also read our Steel Blue review in the May edition of Professional Builder magazine.

Why don’t you send us your tips? Or do you have a story? Email ljones@hamerville.co.uk or pb@hamerville.co.uk

How are your knees? Whilst we routinely safeguard our heads with hard hats and our lungs with masks far too many builders are risking crippling injuries by kneeling on hard and uneven surfaces without protection.

In this episode we go knee-deep into this vital health & safety issue. We hear from GP Alice Fitzgibbon about how builders can avoid bursitis and osteoarthritis. You can also get some knee protection advice from ToughBuilt, the episode’s sponsor, who has launched a KneelSmart KneelSafe campaign and provides an extensive range of kneepad solutions for the trades.

There’s also, news from the Federation of Small Builders, Construction Industry Council, Band of Builders, the Dulux Academy and the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity.

Why don’t you send us your tips? Or do you have a story? Email ljones@hamerville.co.uk or pb@hamerville.co.uk

Knee health links

www.nhs.uk 

www.versesarthritus.org

Save the date

The next set of shows from Professional Builder take place on the following dates. Stick them in your diary!

London's Alexandra Palace on the 30th and 31st of March 2023

Yorkshire Event Centre Harrogate on the 27th & 28th April 2023

To find out more visit www.toolfair.info

Heritage plastering is a creative craft, and it’s spreading into the mainstream. This episode, host Lee Jones heads to South Derbyshire to meet a master of this traditional art, the highly skilled Philip Gaches.

Philip – who’s been undertaking and teaching decorative plastering for 44 years – discusses the relevance and benefits of lime plastering in 2023. Philip tells us its creative and financially rewarding, plus a bunch of other reasons it’s worth adding it to the ol’ skillset.

Jacobean, Elizabethan – find out what’s behind these niche plastering processes.

Did we mention Phil’s plastered some of our favourite palaces and his sons have even followed him into the trade?

Also on this episode, Terry Smith’s tip of the trade and the latest construction news with Freya Coleman.

Links from the show

Find out the dates for all our live events www.toolfair.info

Read features and news online, or sign up to our newsletter at www.probuildermag.co.uk to receive our digital edition. (Remember, a print copy of the magazine can be found on the trade counters of all good builder’s merchants.)

Find out about training courses with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) 

More about Philip’s family business can be found here Gaches Plastering.

Send your news stories to Lee Jones, ljones@hamerville.co.uk Or if you have a ‘Tip of the trade’ in you, record it on the voice recorder App on your phone, and send it to pb@hamerville.co.uk

Improving the Efficiency of Home Heating. To read the guide, visit www.hhic.org.uk. 

In this instalment of the Professional Builder podcast we talk to Band of Builders CEO, Gavin Crane about the vital financial, practical and wellbeing support that the charity is providing to the UK construction industry.

Band of Builders | National Charity for Tradespeople – Band of Builders Ltd

In our sponsored content, Sian Holland, Key Account Manager at Bosch Professional Accessories provides some insight into the many features and benefits of the carbide technology in the manufacturer’s drill bits and blades.

Bosch power tools | Bosch Professional (bosch-professional.com)