We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation and are following the advice issued by the Government and Public Health England. In order to effectively manage any impact to our staff or to you as a customer, we have already put in place measures to enable staff to work remotely if required. We are therefore… Read More
Blog
Why are we cutting corners in construction?
Taking into account the amount of time and money it takes to complete a construction project; it is completely fair to expect a certain level of quality. You want to be able to walk into a building with the upmost confidence in the structure and foundation, with not a single potential risk in sight. This… Read More
Running a small business – Part 2
This is the second part in a series of blogs discussing the various trials and tribulations that you may come across whilst running a small business (SME – Small to Medium-sized Enterprise). As mentioned in the first blog, I started Cornerstone Projects in 2004 as a one-man band operating out of a spare room in… Read More
Why is there a skills shortage in UK construction?
A shortage in skilled workers has been a problem in the UK construction industry for quite some time now, but it’s really beginning to reach its boiling point as we head into 2020. With an ageing workforce set to retire within the next few years and a clear lack of interest from young people, the… Read More
Why are large construction projects always late and over budget?
One of, if not the biggest issues currently facing the construction industry is the fact that so many projects are finished late and end up going way over budget. We’ve seen countless examples of this over the years, with a lot of them coming from the giants of the industry – no project is safe…. Read More
Running a small business – Part 1
This is the first part in a series of blogs discussing the various trials and tribulations that you may come across whilst running a small business (SME – Small to Medium-sized Enterprise). I started Cornerstone Projects in 2004 as a one-man band operating out of a spare room in my house; we have now expanded… Read More
Can big construction companies continue to treat smaller ones with disdain?
Large Construction firms will often have to outsource work on a project to a smaller subcontractor, to help with the overall project. With almost 350,000 SME’s in the construction sector, they have a lot to choose from. However, there seems to have been a major power imbalance between large construction firms and smaller subcontractors over… Read More
Are low margins crippling the construction market?
Will low profit margins spell disaster for the construction industry? Currently the construction industry is in somewhat of a rough spot, with low profit margins on projects being one of the main contributing factors. Low margins have been a talking point amongst the industry for some time now, and it seems to have taken a… Read More
Underground utility colour codes explained
What are underground utility colour codes? Underground utility colour codes are used to differentiate and identify underground utilities to protect it from potential damage during excavation. There are different types of utilities and in order to tell them apart, either coloured lines or flags, or sometimes both are used. These lines/flags help mark the location… Read More
How to stay safe on construction sites during summer
Are you protecting yourself when working in this hot weather? Construction work is very physical at the best of times, but this kind of labour provides even more of a challenge during the warmer months of the year. While we may not get the best weather in the UK during the summertime, it’s always best… Read More
Using drones in construction
Is drone technology the future of construction? Technology is constantly evolving at a rapid pace, and makes our lives better and easier for the most part. From the fingerprint scanners to voice recognition to having the entire internet at the touch of a button, we are always surrounded by the latest innovative tech as part… Read More
Common causes for delays in construction (and ways to prevent them)
How many projects have you worked on that have suffered from delays? Delays are a nightmare for anyone involved in the construction industry, from workers to project managers to the client themselves. Having to stop or put a project on hold because of various reasons is a frustrating experience, and usually results in extra costs… Read More
Building the future of construction
Are we doing everything we can to secure the best for our industry? Construction has come a long way over the years, and as a whole is much better and safer industry to work in than ever before. But one of the biggest issues still facing the industry is the young people (or lack of,… Read More
ISO 9001:2015 surveillance audit success
This week, we had our annual surveillance audit for ISO 9001. Although we gained a 3 Year accreditation in early September last year, this is subject to an annual assessment. The assessment is to ensure we are still using the Quality Management System that we worked hard to put in place and are making the… Read More
Implementing renewable technologies in construction
Should the construction industry be embracing the use of clean energy? Right now more than ever, there is a huge push for trying to go “greener”. With the construction industry playing a large part in wasted energy, we need to look for more efficient and sustainable methods. Renewable technology has come a long way in… Read More
Physical & mental health in construction
How much of a toll can construction work have on our wellbeing? Everyone knows that construction work can be potentially dangerous if you’re not careful, and failure to comply with health and safety standards can have disastrous consequences. But how many people consider the effect that the day-to-day jobs have on your body – both… Read More
What will be big in construction in 2019?
What fresh, innovative ideas will take the industry by storm in 2019? After working in this industry for many years now, we’ve seen a noticeable change in the way that things are done. With all of the latest technology and the constant drive to find more efficient and more effective ways of doing things, this… Read More
Controlling noise in construction
Are you subjecting yourself to permanent ear damage without realising? Working in construction naturally comes with a lot of noise, from the use of loud equipment to conversation amongst the team. But how much can a bit of noise really affect you? Overexposure to loud noises whilst working can actually have some serious consequences, causing… Read More
Harmful substances in construction
Are you aware of the dangers that come with breathing in toxic fumes? We’ve previously spoken about some of the more physical dangers of working in the construction industry, with the likes of electrical safety and manual handling procedures being a priority for workers. But now it is time to talk about something that is… Read More
Modular buildings: the advantages & disadvantages
Modular construction has taken the industry by storm, but how much do you know about the concept? In an ever-changing construction industry, we are always seeing new concepts and ideas floating around. With the drive to find better and efficient ways to do things, we are always looking for the next big idea. The concept… Read More
Electrical safety in construction
Are you aware of the full dangers of working around electrics? Construction sites as a whole as safer than ever, with better resources for staff training available and new health and safety regulations to adhere to. But even with these advances in safety, there is still potential for things to go wrong. Electrical work plays… Read More
Dropped kerb: how to apply for planning permission
Do you know how to correctly apply to put a dropped kerb in front of your property? If you’re looking to create a driveway for your property, you’d probably be surprised that the process is not as easy as you think. In order to park your vehicle on the driveway, you’ll need to have the… Read More
Manual handling in construction
Do you know how many risks come with physical manual labour? Manual handling in the Construction industry is something that happens on an every day basis, but there are multiple different situations that could lead to some disastrous consequences. According to The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers must put procedures in place to reduce… Read More
What is the role of a principal designer?
Do you know what the role of principal designer entails? As we’ve spoken about previously, health and safety is and should be a big concern for anyone working in the construction industry. With so much that could go wrong, it’s important to protect ourselves and reduce the amount of risks that we subject ourselves to…. Read More