Posts By: Jim Burns

Back in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden shift towards remote and flexible working, there was a lot of uncertainty about what it would mean long-term. At the time, it was difficult to separate short-term response from lasting change, particularly around how cities would function, how offices would be used, and what it… Read More

When it comes to planning any excavation or construction project, knowing the cost of utility plans is essential. These disbursement fees, charged by utility companies to provide plans for gas, electricity, water, sewer, and BT infrastructure, can vary dramatically depending on where you are in the UK. Back in 2017, utility plan costs in London… Read More

Customer satisfaction is crucial to Cornerstone Projects. Every January we check in with our customers to measure how we are performing and to better understand their experience of our service. Providing an exceptional service is essential to us. It drives repeat business, builds long-term loyalty, and generates positive word-of-mouth recommendations — a powerful and cost-effective… Read More

Renovation and retrofit projects are rarely straightforward. On the surface, they can look like a simple upgrade – modernising a building, improving efficiency, extending its lifespan, or adapting it for a new purpose. But anyone who has worked on older commercial sites knows the reality is often very different. Retrofit work comes with surprises. Hidden… Read More

2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for UK construction. Housing, infrastructure, and renovation projects are picking up pace, which is great news for the industry, but it also means more pressure on budgets, schedules, and site safety. From our experience at Cornerstone Projects, the teams that succeed are the ones that plan… Read More

December is here, and with it brings a whirlwind of festive cheer, frantic shopping, and more chaos than you can shake a mince pie at. Between last-minute gift runs, family commitments, and office parties, it can feel like the world has turned into one giant to-do list. Believe it or not, managing this seasonal madness… Read More

As winter approaches, teams across the construction industry start paying closer attention to the clock. Shorter days, unpredictable weather, and limited opportunities for excavation all add pressure to projects that need to stay on schedule. At this time of year, even the most organised plans can quickly become vulnerable to delays. One of the most… Read More

When construction work takes place in built-up areas, the risks multiply. Tight spaces, busy surroundings, and a maze of existing infrastructure can make even simple excavation work a potential minefield. One of the biggest and most costly risks faced by contractors and developers in these settings is a utility strike. As someone who’s spent years… Read More

Autumn is upon us, and for anyone managing construction projects, that usually means the busiest months of the year are just around the corner. Shorter days, unpredictable weather, and crowded schedules can quickly turn well-intentioned projects into logistical nightmares if you’re not fully prepared. At Cornerstone Projects, we’ve seen it time and time again. Projects… Read More

Even in 2025, planning permission remains one of the biggest hurdles for builders, developers, and contractors. On paper, the process has become simpler – more councils now use digital planning systems, applications are faster to submit, and guidance is more accessible online than ever before. But in reality? Builders are still getting caught out. Whether… Read More

Summer is often seen as the “peak season” for construction, with longer daylight hours, (usually) better weather, and packed schedules filled with projects that have been waiting for drier conditions. On the surface, it’s a great time to be on-site. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that summer brings its own set of… Read More

As someone who spends their days deep in the details of underground utility searches, I keep a close eye on what’s happening above ground, too. And in 2025, the UK construction industry is in a fascinating place: pushing ahead in some areas, struggling in others, and adopting new technology at a pace we haven’t seen… Read More

In 2018, we published an article outlining the growing appeal of modular buildings within the UK construction industry. Back then, modular construction was steadily gaining attention as a faster, cleaner, and potentially more cost-effective alternative to traditional building methods. However, while the benefits were clear, the sector was still in its relative infancy, with widespread… Read More

The UK construction industry is facing a lot of changes in 2025, driven by a series of government policy changes aimed at addressing longstanding challenges and seizing new opportunities. From building safety reforms to planning system overhauls and workforce development initiatives, these policies are reshaping the landscape for developers, contractors, and stakeholders across the sector…. Read More

In the ever-changing landscape of the UK construction industry, managing and reducing your overheads is absolutely essential for maintaining profitability and keeping your business afloat. As we navigate through 2025, construction businesses face a range of challenges such as fluctuating material costs, labour shortages, and changing regulatory requirements. By implementing effective strategies to minimise overheads,… Read More

In 2018, we published an article called “Is construction the last challenge in the battle for gender equality in the workplace?”. The purpose of this article was to discuss how far the industry had come up until that point, and what it needed to continue improving upon. In 2025, we want to revisit that topic… Read More

The construction industry has been facing a significant skills shortage for a number of years now, and attracting the next generation of professionals – Gen Z – is crucial for securing its future. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z often has different expectations and priorities that previous generations. They’re digital natives, value purpose-driven work,… Read More

The UK’s unpredictable winter weather, featuring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and even the odd spell of snow, presents some significant challenges to the construction industry. From waterlogged sites to freezing temperatures, extreme weather can disrupt project timelines, inflate costs, and compromise the safety of everyone on-site. In this article, we take a look at the… Read More

While not as harsh as some areas of the world, UK winters can still pose significant challenges to construction sites. From harsh weather conditions to reduced visibility, the potential risks to worker safety are substantial. If not addressed properly, these risks could lead to lengthy project delays and severe injuries (or worse) to your workers…. Read More

The construction industry has long been characterised by its reliance on traditional methods and ways of doing things. However, thanks to the always developing technological landscape, change is coming. Automation, once a distant concept or something you’d see in an 80s sci-fi film, is rapidly emerging as a transformative force – and it’s set to… Read More