Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

Are you fully aware of the dangers that come with working high above the ground? Construction has never been more safe as an industry, but there are still areas that can pose a potential threat. One of the biggest areas of risk in the industry is working at height, and the potential hazards that comes… Read More

Could we be doing more to promote a more inclusive working environment? Construction has always been considered a ‘male dominated’ industry, but that statement may no longer be true in 2018. Times are changing and the presence of women in construction is a lot stronger than it ever was. While there are a lot of… Read More

Have you fallen for any of these myths about construction before? While the general perception of the construction industry has changed over the years, there are still a lot of common misconceptions that simply aren’t true. It’s easy enough to believe what you hear, but these myths about the industry could end up doing more… Read More